The Buffalo Bills travel to the Sin City today to take on the 2-1 Las Vegas Raiders, who boast one of the more impressive upsets on the year (4:25 ET Sunday; TV: live on CBS). The Raiders were able to beat the Saints by ten as six-point home dogs. It was quite a way to start their tenure in Las Vegas.
The Bills have been a pleasant surprise this season and are 3-0 through three weeks. They have had the opportunity to play two of the worst teams in the NFL (Dolphins and Jets), but all you can do is beat the team put in front of you. Their defense has been disappointing after being one of the strongest last season, but their offense has been a bright spot. They finally have a legitimate deep threat after trading for Stefon Diggs in the offseason. Diggs’ addition has allowed them to spread the ball around the field and has them as one of the better offenses in the NFL.
Read on for USAbetting’s Buffalo Bills vs Las Vegas Raiders predictions with a full preview of this NFL game today.
Strong Offenses Versus Weak Defenses
Both of these offenses have been able to score the ball pretty well thus far. They are both ranked in the top ten in average points per game. The Bills are 3rd with an average of 31.0 points per game and the Raiders are ranked 9th averaging 29.3 points per game. Expect this to be a shootout with two defenses that haven’t been strong to start the year.
The Bills are ranked 16th in the NFL giving up an average of 25.7 points per game. This is quite a disappointing start for a defense that ranked 2nd last season only giving up an average of 16.5 points per game. They have been hampered by injuries so far, but look to be healthier this week. Starting defensive tackle Ed Oliver is set to play after being a full participant in practice on Friday. He will be a key component to trying to slow down Josh Jacobs and a strong Raiders’ rushing attack. Starting safety Micah Hyde and starting linebacker Tremaine Edmunds are both going to play as well after being full participants on Friday.
The Raiders haven’t been able to stop teams from scoring either. They rank 25th in the NFL in scoring defense allowing on average 30.0 points per game. Their rushing defense is the biggest weakness. They rank 28th in average rushing yards allowed per game (163.7). This could prove to be problematic against a Bills offense that can control the game on the ground when necessary, especially with such a mobile quarterback like Josh Allen. Allen and the Bills’ main strength is in the air, however.
Allen is second in the NFL in passing yards with 1,038. He is also second in the league in passing touchdowns with 10. Deep threat Stefon Diggs is 4th in receiving yards with 288. He is tied for first with Calvin Ridley and Terry McLaurin with six catches for 20 or more yards. The Bills have plenty of weapons to move the ball successfully through the air and I see them doing so today. The lack of crowds make these games feel like practice, which seems to take a lot of pressure off younger quarterbacks like Josh Allen. Allen is a legitimate MVP candidate through three games.
Our Betting Preview’s Buffalo Bills vs Las Vegas Raiders Predictions & Picks Conclusion
We have two picks we really like in this game. We are going to be circling the wagons with the Buffalo Bills at -3pts on the U.S. oddsmakers spread and playing the over at 53 points. Generally I would say that this small of a favorite on the road feels like a trap, but I truly think this Bills offense will be tough for the Raiders to stop and will roll.
The lack of a true home field advantage also doesn’t benefit the Raiders. I also think the healthy Bills defense will be able to step up a bit, but that the Raiders will be able to put up enough to help us cover the over. Overs have been hitting at an astronomical rate so far. They are 30-19 through three weeks. Expect Allen and the Bills to keep their foot on the gas and put up a large number on a mediocre defense. Diggs should be able to go deep and open up things underneath for John Brown, Cole Beasley, and Josh Allen using his legs. I see this being a 35-24 victory which comfortably covers the Bills -3pts and the over of 53 points.
In summary, our Buffalo Bills vs Las Vegas Raiders predictions and betting picks for today’s NFL game look like this:
- Bet the Bills -3pts on the bookies’ spread @ best odds of -120 with Intertops. For better odds you could risk -3.5pts @ -110 with Bovada.
- Go over 53 total points @ best odds of -110 with Intertops. It is -115 with Bookmaker and BetOnline, while Bovada are over 53.5pts at -105.
Alex Uplinger is a sports betting analyst, writer, podcast producer and an expert on NFL and college basketball. As well as his football previews for USA Betting, Alex produces and co-hosts an NFL show for Full Slate and a sports betting podcast on the Blue Wire Network.