Derek Carr and the Las Vegas Raiders (0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS) will play host to Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals (0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS) in a desert showdown this Sunday September 18 at 4:25 PM EST. 

With both teams coming off Week 1 losses, each squad should be reeling to remedy their opening weekend woes. While the Raiders fell short to the Chargers in a 24-19 nail-biting loss, the Cardinals were blown out 44-21 on their home field by the Kansas City Chiefs. 

The Raiders hold the slight historical edge in the matchup, winning 6 of the last 10 meetings, with the most recent matchup being a 23-21 victory for the Silver and Black in 2018.

Murray Needs to Exploit Slippery Raiders Defense

While the Cardinals were beaten badly in Week 1, Kyler Murray surely was not the reason. The fourth year signal caller completed 22 of 34 passes for 193 yards, 2 TDs, and zero interceptions, while adding 28 yards on the ground on 4 carries. He has a highly favorable matchup this week against a Raiders defense that failed to record a single sack on Justin Herbert last week on six total pressures. Herbert is far from immobile, but Murray is objectively much more elusive, and when he escapes the pocket is an undeniable threat in the open field. Expect a big day on the ground for the former Heisman trophy winner. 

While the Derek Carr-Davante Adams connection is nothing to scoff at, the Cardinals should be able to exploit a very weak patchwork Las Vegas offensive line. In Week 1, the Raiders shuffled through four different offensive line combinations, deploying 7 different offensive lineman. The results were dismal at best, leading to 6 sacks on 11 total pressures. While the Cardinals pass rush duo of Markus Golden and Devon Kennard is by and far a downgrade from last year’s combination of JJ Watt and Chandler Jones, Arizona should look to blitz and blitz often. While under pressure last week, Derek Carr threw 3 interceptions and fumbled twice, giving Arizona more than enough incentive to get their pass rush back on track. 

Carr-Adams Connection Better Than Advertised

For everyone who thought Davante Adams was going to slow down after joining a receiving corps already highlighted by Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow, you severely underestimated how good Davante Adams is at football. In last week’s loss to the Chargers, Adams was targeted a team high 17 times, reeling in 10 catches for 141 yards and a score. To put it in perspective, the rest of the team’s receivers were targeted 18 times combined, putting Adams at an almost 50% target share. Arizona’s pass defense was just gashed by Kansas City last week, surrendering 360 yards and 5 touchdowns through the air. Look for Adams to have yet another monster day. 

Given how poorly Arizona played on defense last week, expect Derek Carr and Co. to attack quickly and often. While Carr was sacked 5 times in Week 1 against Los Angeles, the Cardinals failed to generate a single sack in last week’s matchup against the Chiefs. The Raiders offensive line assuredly has question marks, but if Carr can get the ball out quickly, he should be able to use his offensive weapons to run up the score. 

Full-Game Pick

For as many questions the Cardinals pass defense presents, the Raiders offensive line has just about the same, if not more. Plus, with the availability of Vegas’s starting C Andre James (concussion) up in the air, the Silver and Black might have to reach even further into their dearth of offensive linemen. In addition, the Raiders defense struggled to take down Chargers QB Justin Herbert last week (0 sacks on 6 pressures), and things won’t get any easier in this week’s matchup with QB Kyler Murray. While the Raiders are stacked at the offensive skill position, they are not the Kansas City Chiefs, and will more than likely not lay 40+ points against Arizona’s below average defense. Expect a high scoring, back-and-forth affair.

Prediction: AZ Cardinals +6

Full-Game Total Pick

This game should be more entertaining than most expect. Both teams have below average defenses, yet highly potent offensive attacks. Arizona’s Week 1 matchup against the Chiefs hit the over with ease, while the Raiders-Chargers game comfortably cashed the under. Take away 3 momentum killing interceptions for Las Vegas though, and that total could have easily crept into the 50s. Both teams are looking to get back on track offensively, and to exploit their opponents’ defensive flaws. Expect a high scoring affair.

Prediction: Over 51.5