Las Vegas Raiders vs Carolina Panthers Pick – NFL Week 1

By Rob Bebenek Sep 12, 2020

OddsHQ’s Las Vegas Raiders vs Carolina Panthers Pick for NFL Week 1: The Raiders come into Carolina in week 1 and hope to inflict damage on a new coach and a team that may have lost their defensive identity.

Raiders Getting back on Track

It’s been a while since the Raiders were taken seriously. They haven’t won a playoff game since Rich Gannon was throwing the ball to Jerry Rice and Tim Brown. That win came against the Titans in the 2003 AFC championship. They went on to lose the Super Bowl to the Bucs who were coached at the time, by current Raiders head coach Jon Gruden. The worst thing about the Bucs winning that Super Bowl, was the fact that two of the most underserved rings were given to Rob and Brad Johnson (who aside from being terrible QB’s have no relation). Now it’s 2020 and the Raiders might have finally gotten things back on track.

It seems as though oddsmakers aren’t ready to believe in the Raiders just yet. On Sunday they face what’s left of the Carolina Panthers, and they’re only favored by 3. The way I see it, is that’s an easy bet to put on the Raiders. I see the Raiders as an emerging team, that if all goes well could be contending for a wild card spot. The AFC West belongs to the Chiefs for the foreseeable future, but the Raiders have a team built to win some tough games. 

Lack of Home Field Advantage will Help Raiders

The Raiders have to travel to Carolina for Sunday’s opener, but who cares? It’s week one and there are no fans. Home field advantage is less of an advantage this year than ever before. The Panthers have a new coach and a new QB. While losing long time Carolina mainstays, Greg Olsen and All-Pro linebacker Luke Keuchly. I do like Teddy Bridgewater, but he’s new to this system as is the rest of their offense. On paper, the Panthers have a nice group of weapons. McCaffrey is as good a running back as there is. DJ Moore is extremely underrated, and newcomer Robby Anderson should help stretch the field. However, their O-line has some major holes, and their defense will be a shell of its former self without Keuchly. They have some young talent with Brian Burns, and first-round draft choice Derrick Brown, but without their leader, there will be some growing pains. Unless rookie Head Coach Matt Rhule is a mastermind in the NFL, the Panthers face a long hard season.

2020 Could be Breakout Year for Raiders

(AP Photo/John Locher, Pool)

The Las Vegas Raiders could be ready to breakout. Rodney Hudson is the best center in football and leads an O-line that should create plenty of holes for budding star Josh Jacobs. Jacobs would have won OROY last year if it wasn’t for some kid named Kyler. Derek Carr has a great supporting cast now as well. Darren Waller is a top 5 tight end. Hunter Renfrow has the body of an accountant, but is scrappy and fights for the ball. Plus they added Alabama star Henry Ruggs III in the draft, and everyone is excited to see him fly. On the defensive side, Maxx Crosby was a surprise stud in his rookie season, and should only improve.

Clelin Ferrell struggled to live up to his draft status in year one, but I believe he turns it up in year two. At least his shirtless photos online suggest he’ll be better. They also had a sneaky good addition at MLB, with Cory Littleton. Littleton got lost in the shuffle with the Rams because other megastars kept stealing the spotlight. But watch any Rams game from the last two seasons and he just keeps jumping off the screen. He’s a major upgrade from suspended lunatic Vontaze Burfict, and fill in player, Tahir Whitehead. Who, by the way, now plays for the Panthers. 

Las Vegas Raiders vs Carolina Panthers Pick

With such a small spread, I love the Raiders in this spot. The Panthers offense will still be getting used to a new system and coach, while the defense will be looking to find a new leader without Keuchly. Mayock and Gruden are beginning to build something special in Vegas and I’m excited to see a once-great franchise get their act together, and right the ship. The best odds currently available on the Raiders is at -2.5 (-122) via BetRivers