The Las Vegas Raiders will try to make a late-season push to make the playoffs for the second straight year when they visit the struggling Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football at SoFi Stadium. Last season, the Raiders were 6-7 before winning their last four games to sneak into the playoffs at 10-7. This year, Las Vegas is 5-7 and just two games behind the Jets for the final wild card spot in the AFC playoff picture. Meanwhile, the reigning Super Bowl champion Rams (3-9) have the worst record in the NFC and would be eliminated from postseason contention with a loss on TNF.
Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET. Las Vegas is a 6.5-point favorite in the latest Raiders vs. Rams odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 42. Before you lock in your Rams vs. Raiders picks or NFL predictions, you'll want to see what SportsLine senior analyst Josh Nagel has to say.
Nagel is a Nevada-based handicapper with more than 20 years of experience in the sports wagering industry. SportsLine's assistant managing editor has covered the wagering industry on a variety of platforms and has won numerous sports handicapping contests. He has hit 54 percent of his NFL spread picks (79-67-2) since the start of the 2016 season.
In addition, Nagel has gone 7-2 on his last nine against-the-spread picks involving the Raiders. Anyone who has followed him is way up.
Now, Nagel has zeroed in on Raiders vs. Rams and just locked in his picks and TNF predictions. You can head to SportsLine to see Nagel's picks. Now, here are several NFL odds and betting lines for Rams vs. Raiders:
- Raiders vs. Rams spread: Las Vegas -6.5
- Raiders vs. Rams Over/Under: 42 points
- Raiders vs. Rams money line: Raiders -305, Rams +240
- LV: Josh Jacobs leads the league in rushing yards per game (108.6)
- LAR: The Rams rank fourth in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (96.7)
- Raiders vs. Rams picks: See picks here
Why the Raiders can cover
Running back Josh Jacobs and receiver Davante Adams are having historic seasons. Jacobs leads the league in rushing yards (1,303) and is on pace for 1,845 rushing yards. Adams ranks fourth in the NFL in receiving yards (1,176) and is on pace to have 1,666 receiving yards. They are on pace to join Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin of the Super Bowl-winning 1995 Cowboys as the only duo with 1,600 rushing yards and 1,600 receiving yards in a season all-time.
In addition, the Rams have struggled on offense this season. The reigning Super Bowl champs rank 31st in total offense (283.1 yards per game), better than only the Texans. Los Angeles also ranks 29th in scoring offense (16.8 points per game). See which team to pick here.
Why the Rams can cover
In an otherwise forgetful season for Los Angeles, Bobby Wagner has been solid. The former Seahawks linebacker leads the team in tackles (97) and solo tackles (54) and is tied for the team lead in sacks (five). He is coming off one of his best games of the season, finishing with two sacks, an interception and three tackles for a loss against his former team, Seattle.
In addition, the Rams have been excellent against the run this season. Los Angeles is allowing just 96.7 rushing yards per game, which ranks fourth in the league, behind only the 49ers, Ravens and Titans. The Rams have limited four of their last five opponents to 90 rushing yards or fewer. See which team to pick here.
How to make Raiders vs. Rams picks
We can tell you Nagel is leaning Over on the point total, but he also has isolated a critical X-factor that has him going big on one side of the spread. He's only sharing what it is, and which side to back, at SportsLine.
Who wins Rams vs. Raiders on Thursday Night Football? And which critical X-factor makes one side of the spread hit hard? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Rams vs. Raiders spread to back, all from the acclaimed expert who is 7-2 with his last nine against-the-spread picks involving the Raiders, and find out.
