- NFL Sportsbooks push Raiders after Tua injury
- Raiders cover in first two wins
- Carr’s odds improve in NFL MVP race
With the Miami Dolphins traveling to Las Vegas on Sunday for a 1:05 PST matchup with the Raiders, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will not play due to fractured ribs that he suffered in Sunday’s 35-0 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Miami will start Jacoby Brissett at quarterback in place of Tagovailoa, who the team shut down after he was limited and continually pushing his health too much to have to get ready to play.
Ready for a show inside @allegiantstadm.
Key matchups to keep your eye on for Sunday ⬇️
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 23, 2021
The Raiders are favored after being underdogs in their first two games, where they defeated Baltimore, 33-27, as they covered the (+3.5) and then also covered (+5.5) in last week’s 26-17 win over the Steelers.
Line Also Changed in Win Over Ravens
The opening Sunday night football game was a thriller as the Raiders handed the favored Ravens a 33-27 setback in overtime.
Chills.
You won’t want to miss this Sounds Of The Game » https://t.co/k9gLyqm8s8 pic.twitter.com/ozoYeq34Zv
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 17, 2021
Quarterback Derek Carr had an incredible night for Las Vegas as he passed for 435 yards and hit Zay Jones for the game-winning 31-yard TD pass with just 3:31 remaining in the extra session.
Baltimore became depleted in its backfield with injuries to JK Dobbins, Justice Hill and Gus Edwards as it also had some attrition on the offensive line. This caused the line to continue to fall all of the week of Sept. 6 as the Ravens were at a (-6.5) favorite and that fell all the way to (-4.5) before kickoff.
Some online sportsbooks had even placed this line as low as Baltimore (-3.5) before the kickoff.
Stuffing the Steelers
Carr was at his best again on Sunday as he completed 28 of 37 passes for 382 yards and two touchdowns as Las Vegas picked up an impressive road win at Heinz Field. Vegas covered the (+5.5) as it took the lead for good at 9-7 on the third of four Daniel Carson field goals just before halftime.
.@based_nvte soaked in every moment during his first NFL road game ?
Watch his full Mic’d Up » https://t.co/Y9fAWbKOno pic.twitter.com/pSbpgfpU5X
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 22, 2021
Carr hit Foster Moreau on a 9-yard TD pass and Henry Ruggs, III, on a 61-yarder as both scores came in the second half and allowed Las Vegas to extend their win margin.
They easily jumped on the OVER 50.5 vs. the Ravens and fell just short of the 47 points, although they put 20 on the board in the fourth quarter.
Carr is on track
Carr will face a Miami defense that has given up only 219.5 passing yards on average in its first two games while surrendering only three touchdown passes.
In addition, the Dolphins’s offense has struggled out of the shoot as the running game is only getting 3.4 yards per carry. Brissett will bring a different look to their running attack as he can get out and scramble. With this, it may explain why the OVER/UNDER on this game is placed at 45.5 (-110).
If Carr continues to sizzle and the Raiders can find the end zone in situations where they kicked field goals last week, then the 45.5 is obtainable.
Another phenomenal day at the office for @derekcarrqb.
Next » #MIAvsLV | 9.26 | CBS pic.twitter.com/Rs9Kx54Q2v
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 19, 2021
Carr has thrown himself into NFL MVP discussions as some odds boards have him listed as low as (+1200) and tied for fourth place with the Chargers’ Justin Herbert.
Carr opened the season at (+6600) to win the NFL MVP as he has leaped into NFL MVP discussions.
There is also an interesting prop bet up this week for Carr as he has been assigned to whether he will go OVER or UNDER 349.5 yards. Betting yes has odds of (+350).
