RRRRRAAAAAAIIIIDDDDEEERRRRSSSSSS! If you’re a real fan, I really hope you read that in your head right. It’s Gameday.
Opening With A Quick Rant
Fans will finally enter Allegiant Stadium for a regular-season game. It’s a Monday Night game and the season opener too. Jon Gruden loves playing on the platform he helped build as an analyst with ESPN.
Personally, I’m tired of the Raiders being used by ESPN for Monday Night Games. We never get favorable placement or coverage by the league’s partner. Anyways, that’s a blog or podcast topic for another day.
Here’s what you need to know before the Raiders open their season versus the Ravens on Monday Night. You can read more on my offseason breakdown and this game preview via the blog.
Game Time: Tonight at 5:15 p.m. PT on ESPN or Fubo.
Odds: Ravens -4, O/U 50.5,
Money Line: Raven at -210, Raiders at +175
Estimated Attendance: Sold out at 65,000.
The average ticket is $865 per Vivid Seats.
Fun Stat: Baltimore is 5-0 against the spread in the last five season openers. 6-0 ATS in their last six games as a favorite, per CBS Sports.
Key Prop: Ravens running back Ty'son WIlliams over 60.5 rushing yards. If he gets this, the Raiders defense will have a long day.
Injuries: Josh Jacobs is questionable with an illness. Richie Incognito is ruled out versus the Ravens but expected back next week. The Raiders will start four new offensive linemen in the opener.
The Ravens will be without top corner Marcus Peters and their two starting running backs. Jimmy Smith is also listed as questionable. Starting DT Calais Campbell and Brandon Williams were both on the injury report. Tackle Ronnie Staley was too. Starting end Derek Wolfe will be out.
Around the AFC West: Chargers best Washington 20-16. Chiefs win 33-29 over the Browns. Broncos defeat Giants 27-13. Raiders could make the division undefeated in the first week.
Marque Matchups: The Raiders receivers versus the Ravens banged-up secondary. Vegas keeps talking about their young receivers. Down Peters and potentially Smith, this receiver group needs to capitalize. That’s double true if Jacobs is out with an illness.
On defense, Las Vegas needs to stop the run while Baltimore is down their starting running backs. The Ravens signed Latavius Murray to help them versus his former team.
Meanwhile, the Silver and Black added veteran linebackers K.J. Wright and Denzel Perryman. Those vets know the scheme so there is no excuse for them to not stop the run. You can read more about my matchup breakdown and offseason breakdown here:
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