NFL Week 14 Vikings at Raiders Betting Preview
Jefferson Returns for Minnesota
After a five game win streak, Minnesota has dropped two in a row heading into the week 14 Vikings at Raiders betting matchup. Kevin O’Connell’s club has been right there though, falling 21-20 at Denver and 12-10 at home against Chicago but Minnesota is coming off a bye and gets their superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson back in the lineup.
Las Vegas was also idle last weekend, giving them time to reboot from their own two game losing streak. Oddsmakers still have the Raiders as +3 point home underdogs on Sunday with public betting split essentially right down the middle.
Why the Vikings Have Value at -3
Minnesota is on a two game losing streak, but those defeats have come by a combined 3 points. You really can’t blame the Vikings defense for allowing 21 points or less in five of their last six, but on Sunday the Minnesota offense gets some reinforcements as Jefferson returns from the injured list.
Jefferson has only played in five games this season, but still has 571 yards and 3 TDs. Sunday will be his first game playing with Josh Dobbs after Kirk Cousins was injured, but T.J. Hockenson (80 rec, 786 yards) and Jordan Addison (54 rec, 686 yards) have done a nice job of picking up the slack in the passing game over the past month.
The Vikings offense has struggled a bit with Cousins and Jefferson both out of the lineup, but the good news is they won’t need a ton of points to beat the Raiders on Sunday. Maybe Las Vegas figured things out during their bye, but the Raiders have been held to 17 points or less in five of their last six.
Why the Raiders Have Value at +3
These two teams are kind of a mirror of each other – both have experienced some QB issues this season but also have elite WR options. Davante Adams (69 receptions, 814 yards) is still a threat that gives the Raiders value as a home underdog on Sunday.
Las Vegas may have the QB advantage on Sunday as it looks like Dobbs is coming back to reality a bit for the Vikings. Dobbs threw 4 INTs the last time out against the Bears and is showing why he’s been on three teams already this season.
For as ugly as their 5-7 record looks overall, the Raiders have gone 4-2 at home this season. The team is also 2-2 under coach Antonio Pierce who took over after Josh McDaniels was fired with two of those victories coming on their own turf.
Free Week 14 Vikings at Raiders Betting Pick
Both teams are coming off a bye and while the Raiders have been solid at home the Vikings have the same 4-2 record on the road. Each club features an elite wide receiver as well as a top tier pass rusher (Danielle Hunter for Minnesota and Maxx Crosby for the Raiders). With everything being so equal, the golden rule is to take the points.
Free Pick: Raiders +3
