- The Baltimore Ravens are favored by four points on the road in Las Vegas for MNF.
- Darren Waller has -115 odds to have more than 72.5 receiving yards.
- Bryan Edwards’ receiving yards O/U line is set at 39.5.
LAS VEGAS - The Las Vegas Raiders are set to host the Baltimore Ravens for the first Monday Night Football game of the 2021-2022 NFL season.
The Ravens have suffered serious injuries in the last few weeks, losing running backs Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins for the season, along with CB Marcus Peters.
The Raiders are healthier and their team took shape over the final week of the preseason, with Bryan Edwards and Henry Ruggs looking like the primary WR weapons along with Darren Waller at TE.
This game will be a test for the Raiders - the Ravens are no doubt scrambling to figure out how to play without their starting RB corps and the Raiders could look to take advantage of the situation.
Baltimore Ravens Vs. Las Vegas Raiders
- Baltimore Ravens -4.0 (-110)
- Las Vegas Raiders +4.0 (-110)
The spread for the matchup favors the Ravens by an unusual four points, suggesting that a more traditional 3.5 point spread was unable to capture the essence of this matchup.
A four-point spread is something of a no man's land in NFL betting and it makes betting a bit tougher, as a field goal would not be enough to cover but a touchdown would.
Total Receiving Yards - Bryan Edwards (LV)
- OVER 39.5 -115
- UNDER 39.5 -115
The Raiders’ starting receivers will likely be the trio of Hunter Renfrow, Bryan Edwards, and Henry Ruggs.
In terms of roles, Renfrow will probably be playing in the slot, Ruggs will be stretching the field on downfield routes, and Edwards will be the most traditional WR1 option.
In that context, it might be a bit odd to see someone in that role having only a 39.5 yard O/U for receiving yards.
Some of this could be due to Edwards being a talented but unknown player but some of it is also surely due to the existence of Darren Waller affecting the online gambling markets.
Total Receiving Yards - Darren Waller (LV)
- OVER 72.5 -115
- UNDER 72.5 -115
Waller, one of the best tight ends in the nation, is an absolute monster of a tight end, who averaged 9.7 yards after the catch per reception in the 2020 season.
This ability to turn dump-offs into big gains makes him a perfect target for the Raiders QB Derek Carr.
It also makes him the major focus of the offense - Waller’s O/U for receiving yards is higher than anyone else on the team.
With Waller on the field, he is likely the target that takes over the “WR1” role in the offense, which does a bit to explain why Edwards’ O/U line is so low.
Still, there could be a lot of mouths to feed on the Raiders offense, and with Peters out, they might all get fed.
The game starts at 8:15 p.m. EST and will be aired on the ABC Network.