Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Rams Odds, Picks, and Predictions

Raiders vs. Rams Odds

• Raiders (-7)
• Rams (+7)
• Over/Under (42.5)
• 8:15 PM ET (Amazon)

Week 14 of the NFL season will begin with a matchup between the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium. Entering play, Las Vegas has won three consecutive games to keep their playoff hopes alive. Los Angeles has lost six straight contests since their Week 7 bye, and are on the verge of being mathematically eliminated from postseason contention. On Thursday, oddsmakers are expecting the Raiders to come away with a victory, pricing Las Vegas as 6-point road favorites on the spread.

Las Vegas Raiders

Las Vegas has quietly become one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the entire NFL. Across the last three weeks, this group ranks 10th in offensive EPA/play. In that span, running back Josh Jacobs has 482 rushing yards and three touchdowns, in addition to 11 receptions for 131 receiving yards.

Wide receiver Davante Adams has been largely unstoppable outside of a poor showing in Week 8 against the New Orleans Saints. Adams enters play ranked 5th in the NFL receptions, 4th in receiving yards, and tied for the league lead in receiving touchdowns. If their opponent deploys a two-high safety look, Las Vegas has been letting Jacobs run wild. When defenses have stacked the box or gone into man coverage, Derek Carr has been able to get Adams the ball in open space.

Per Tashan Reed of The Athletic, is averaging 5.9 yards-per-carry against light boxes – seven defenders or fewer near the line of scrimmage – this season. Facing a Los Angeles defense with an abundance of injuries, Carr and company should have little trouble putting points on the board in this spot.

On the defensive side of the ball, defensive tackle Andrew Billings, linebacker Jayon Brown, and cornerback Rock Ya-Sin have each been ruled out for this evening’s affair. Billings is a significant loss on the defensive line, having graded as the 14th-best player at his position this fall, per Pro Football Focus.

In his place, Jerry Tillery will likely get the start, but he is woefully deficient as a run defender and a major downgrade as a pass-rusher as well. Brown is a less significant loss, but his absence is still notable, considering that it will likely force Luke Masterson into an expanded role. Masterson has played more than 13 snaps in a game only once in 2022 – a Week 10 loss against the Indianapolis Colts.

Ya-Sin has delivered league-average production at outside cornerback this season, which is something that Las Vegas will not be able to replace with either Sam Webb or Amik Robertson – the two most likely candidates to take on responsibilities with Ya-Sin on the sidelines.

Fortunately for the Raiders, their depleted defense will have the benefit of facing an even more depleted offense on Thursday Night Football.

Los Angeles Rams

Earlier this week, the Rams claimed former No. 1 overall draft pick Baker Mayfield off of waivers after he was released by the Carolina Panthers. Reportedly, Mayfield could get the start if quarterback John Wolford, who started last week’s contest against the Seattle Seahawks, is unable to suit up.

Regardless of who is under center, the Rams figure to have their work cut out for them offensively, with quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson, and offensive lineman Joseph Noteboom each on injured reserve. In total, Los Angeles has six offensive linemen on injured reserve, per The Athletic. According to Pro Football Focus, the Rams rank 30th out of 32 teams in pass-blocking grade in 2022.

Seasoned bettors are well-aware that offenses will continuously struggle if they are unable to win at the line of scrimmage. Even against an injury-ravaged Las Vegas defense, this unit is likely to struggle.

The Rams are also missing a number of key pieces defensively, with defensive tackle Aaron Donald, linebackers Travin Howard and Terrell Lewis, and defensive back David Long Jr. each being ruled out for tonight’s game. Cornerback Troy Hill is also listed as questionable with a groin injury. If Hill is unable to go, this secondary unit will have very little talent beyond Jalen Ramsey.

Overall, the Rams rank 29th in defensive EPA/play since Week 8. This defense has continued to be effective against opposing ground attacks in that span, ranking 7th in Rush EPA/play. Yet, a good run defense has not stopped the Rams from losing six games in a row since their bye week.

Raiders vs. Rams Pick & Prediction

Though the Raiders’ defense is banged up heading into this matchup, they should be able to do enough to slow down a Rams’ offense that is completely decimated by injuries. Derek Carr will not be able to hit the over in this spot by themselves – take the under.

PICK: Under 42.5