Las Vegas Raiders vs. New Orleans Saints Odds, Spread, Preview: NFL Week 8 Predictions

By Lawrence Smelser

Las Vegas Raiders vs. New Orleans Saints Week 8 matchup preview and current betting lines

The Raiders will travel to the “Big Easy” on Sunday to take on the Saints. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. EST and Fox is broadcasting the contest. 

It’s been a difficult year for both Las Vegas and New Orleans despite very different expectations. The Raiders’ season will largely be labeled a bust if the team can’t reach the playoffs and at least win one game. Last postseason, Las Vegas fell 26-19 in the first round to Cincinnati. 

In the offseason, Las Vegas hired long-time New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to try and recreate one of his many Super Bowl runs. So far, it’s been an underachieving season with the team’s 2-4 record. 

The Saints also hired a new head coach during the offseason, Dennis Allen, after Sean Payton retired. Allen previously served as the organization’s defensive coordinator. The new coach is currently dealing with a 2-5 record and a quarterback controversy between Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston.

The Raiders are coming off a comfortable 38-20 win over the Texans. It was a must-win scenario because falling to 1-5 would’ve made it nearly impossible to earn a playoff berth. 

New Orleans enters the game on a sour note after a disappointing 42-34 loss to Arizona. The Cardinals led by as many as 18 as the third quarter winded down. It’s the second-straight loss for the Saints. 

Oddsmakers at FanDuel Sportsbook are favoring the Raiders by 1.5 points. On the moneyline, Las Vegas is -116 and New Orleans sits at -102 odds. Bettors have put 71% of their bets on the Raiders to cover and 61% of the money on Vegas to win straight up.

Players to watch in the Raiders vs. Saints contest

Las Vegas

Mack Hollins: The former Miami Dolphin has shined in his first year with the Raiders. Hollins has firmly supplanted himself over Hunter Renfrow as the WR2 in the offense. The 29-year-old has recorded 19 receptions for 317 yards and two touchdowns. Hollins’ average of 16.7 yards per catch ranks him ninth in the NFL. 

New Orleans

Chris Olave: The 2022 first-round pick (No. 11 overall) is the new top receiving threat in New Orleans. Pro Bowler Michael Thomas has struggled with injuries and Olave has carried the weight of the offense. The former Ohio State Buckeye has 495 yards (11th) on 32 receptions and has scored two touchdowns. Olave’s 56 targets are 21 more than any other Saints weapon.

Our NFL bet of the week for the Raiders vs. Saints

ESTNN is providing wagerers with two free selections for this game.

Las Vegas vs. New Orleans Spread: Las Vegas -1.5 @ -105

When looking at the Raiders’ roster, they certainly have the talent to win games but have underperformed severely in their four losses. The team has lost by an average of 3.5 points to its opposition.

Raiders 2022-2023 schedule

Chargers 24-19 (L)

Cardinals 29-23 (L)

Titans 24-22 (L)

Broncos 32-23 (W)

Chiefs 30-29 (L)

Texans 38-20 (W)

McDaniels’ squad is ninth in the NFL in total offense (367.2 yards per game) and third in scoring offense (27.2 points per contest). Defensively it’s been another story. Vegas is surrendering 366.7 yards per outing (24th) and is allowing opponents to score an average of 25 points every week (26th). 

Quarterback Derek Carr is playing well this season compared to other NFL signal callers. The former second-rounder has thrown for 1,520 yards, nine touchdowns, (T-10th) four interceptions and has a quarterback rating of 62 (7th).

Newly acquired wide receiver Davante Adams has aided the receiving corps massively. Especially since tight end Darren Waller has been forced to miss time due to injury. 

His good friend Adams is also posting good numbers. The WR1 has 37 receptions for 509 yards (9th) and five touchdowns (T-4th). In the last three contests, Adams has recorded at least 95 yards. Saints’ lockdown corner Marshon Lattimore is unlikely to play so Adams should have another successful day through the air.

New Orleans’ weakness has been its defense. For total defense, the Saints rank 14th (340.4 YPG) and are surrendering 28.6 points per game (second-worst in the league). On offense, its unit ranks 3rd (440.8 YPG) and 7th in points per game (25). 

Winston has returned from injury but Dennis Allen said Andy Dalton will remain the starter. The former TCU product hasn’t had a problem moving the chains but is struggling with turnovers. Against the Bengals, (his former team) Dalton threw for 361 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions. Two of the turnovers were pick-sixes. 

It’ll be difficult for the Saints’ to limit the Raiders’ ground game. Vegas is third in the league in rushing yards per attempt (5.4) and New Orleans ranks 20th allowing 4.6 yards per carry. The silver and black are 7-1 when rushing for 120 or more yards since the start of 2021. 

The Raiders are 3-3 against the spread this season while the Saints are 2-5 ATS. Las Vegas should take care of business once again and move one game closer to a. 500 record. 

At ESTNN we believe the silver and black will cover the 1.5-point spread. FanDuel is offering -105 spread odds for the bet on its sportsbook.

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Raiders vs. Saints odds: Josh Jacobs over 109.5 rushing and receiving yards @ -115

The former Alabama star has been shredding defenses the last few weeks. The game plan has been to primarily give Jacobs the ball.

In his last three contests, the 24-year-old has logged 143, 154 and 144 rushing yards. In his last four games, Jacobs has averaged 28.3 receiving yards and has 18 receptions on 20 targets. 

McDaniels is feeding Jacobs the rock with an average of 23 attempts in his previous three. outings. Jacobs will be facing a Saints defense that is allowing opposing teams to run for an average of 123.1 yards per game (21st). The Raiders are 11th in the NFL in rush yards per game (128.5). 

Our pick is to take the over 109.5 rushing and receiving yards prop on bet365 sportsbook at -115 odds. If you’re interested in learning about more prop bets for week 8, read our NFL player props page.

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