Arizona Cardinals @ Las Vegas Raiders Matchup Preview - September 18th, 2022
Editor
Sunday the Arizona Cardinals (0-1) will battle the Las Vegas Raiders (0-1). Oddsmakers peg the Raiders as the big favorite with an implied win probablity of 67%, leaving the Cardinals with a 33% chance to record a win. The current spread is the Raiders -5.5 with a Game Total of 51.5.
Las Vegas's primary advantage has been their pass defense, which has allowed a scant 218 yards per game through the air -- #8-best in the NFL. A big factor in their success has been the ability to shed blocks and get to the quarterback quickly; they've averaged just 2.44 seconds after the snap before getting pressure on the QB -- #10-quickest in the league. The Las Vegas Raiders pass defense has had the most success in covering opposing tight ends, holding them to a 64.3% completion rate (#3-stingiest in football). Las Vegas's best coverage unit has been their safeties, which grade out as the #9 unit in the NFL in this regard. Las Vegas's pass rush has been led by their linebackers who, ranking as the #3 unit in the NFL, have given opposing quarterbacks fits. When it comes to their offense, the Raiders check in at #14 in football when it comes to total yards per game. Their passing game has compiled 266 yards per game (#11 in football). Their run game has ranked #9 with 4.42 yards per attempt on the ground.
Arizona's biggest strength has been their pass defense, which ranks #8 in the league while allowing just 218 yards per game this season. They've made it a habit of getting to the quarterback quickly, averaging just 2.44 seconds after the snap before applying pressure -- #10-quickest in the league. The Cardinals have done the best job shutting down opposing tight ends, holding them to a 64.3% completion rate (#3-lowest). Arizona's best position group in coverage has been their safeties, which rank #9 in the league in locking down route-runners. Arizona's pass rush has been strong this year, led by their linebackers, which check in as the #3-best unit in terms of getting to the passer. In terms of their offense, the Cardinals have ranked #14 in the league in total yards per game. They've passed for 266 yards per game (#11 in football). On the ground they've ranked #9 with 4.42 yards per carry.
Arizona Cardinals Insights
THE BLITZ projects Kyler Murray to be a more important option in his team's running game this week (22.4% projected Carry Share) than he has been since the start of last season (15.3% in games he has played).
The Arizona Cardinals linebackers project as the 3rd-best unit in the league since the start of last season with their pass rush.
THE BLITZ projects Zach Ertz to compile 0.33 receiving TDs in this week's game, on average, placing him in the 97th percentile among tight ends.
Las Vegas Raiders Insights
THE BLITZ projects the Raiders to call the least total plays among all teams this week with 63.9 plays, accounting for their underlying tendencies and game dynamics.
Derek Carr's throwing precision has tailed off this year, with his Completion% falling off from 67.2% to 59.9%.
The Las Vegas Raiders pass defense has excelled when opposing RBs have gotten into space, surrendering an average of 6.18 yards-after-the-catch since the start of last season: the 4th-least in football.
Betting Trends
The Las Vegas Raiders have hit the Team Total Under in 9 of their last 12 games (+5.90 Units / 45% ROI)
Kyler Murray has hit the Passing Yards Under in 5 of his last 6 away games (+3.80 Units / 53% ROI)
Offers
There are no promotional offers available for the selected region.