It has been a patchy start to the NFL season for New England Patriots, but a 29-26 win over AFC East rivals Buffalo Bills will have given everyone at Foxborough a spring in their step as they prepare to entertain Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
However, the Pats have to cope with some key injuries in their secondary and the Raiders should be hungry to get back to winning ways after slipping to their first defeat of this NFL season against their AFC West rivals Kansas City Chiefs last week.
New England Patriots v Las Vegas Raiders Tips Summary
Best Bet - Las Vegas Raiders +3.5 @ 25/28
Alternative Bet - Brock Bowers to score a touchdown @ 13/10
Bet Builder - Drake Maye over 0.5 interceptions, Over 45.5 points & Kirk Cousins over 1.5 passing touchdowns @ 4/1
New England Patriots v Las Vegas Raiders Prediction
Best Bet: Las Vegas Raiders +3.5 @ 25/28
New England claimed a big divisional victory against the Buffalo Bills last week when they benefited from an improved performance from quarterback Drake Maye, but they face a difficult game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
Injuries at cornerback are an issue for the home team and there is potential for the Patriots to regress after coming through such a key game last week.
The Raiders are the only team in the league who have covered the spread in all four of their matches this season and will be keen to get back to winning ways after losing their only divisional clash against the Kansas City Chiefs last week.
It is notoriously difficult for NFL teams to cross from west to east, but they have won their last three games against the Patriots and they can be on the right side of the handicap again on Sunday.
Alternative Bet: Brock Bowers to score a touchdown @ 13/10
While the temptation will be there for the Raiders to go deep and exploit the injuries the Patriots have at cornerback, tight end Brock Bowers looks set to be at the heart of the action.
He is raring to go again after a knee issue and has had a total of 16 receptions for 202 yards in his two appearances. He crossed the line for a touchdown against both New Orleans and Kansas City, so expect him to do so again.
New England Patriots v Las Vegas Raiders Bet Builder Tip
- Drake Maye over 0.5 interceptions
- Over 45.5 points
- Kirk Cousins over 1.5 passing touchdowns
Pays 4/1
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye had his best performance of the season against the Bills last week when he threw for 269 yards and three touchdowns, but he took his interception total to seven in that success and there looks a strong chance he could add to that tally.
The points total of 45.5 looks modest as the Raiders have scored at least 26 in each of their four games and the Pats got their act together against the Bills.
That 29-26 success ended a run of five straight games where the Under was a winner and the line looks threatened.
Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins has used all his experience to help his team to a 3-1 start and the 38-year-old has thrown 11 touchdown passes, including two in last week’s loss to the Chiefs.
He was on target three times in his other games against the Saints, Chargers and Dolphins so he can complete at least two scoring passes at Foxborough.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
- The Raiders have won their last three games against the Patriots
- Las Vegas have covered the handicap in each of their last six games against teams from the AFC
- The Raiders have scored at least 26 points in each of their four matches this season
- Las Vegas are the only team in the NFL to have covered the spread in all four of their matches
- The points total has gone over the line in seven of the Patriots’ last ten match-ups
- The Pats have covered the last six times they have been home favourites
Tactics, Form and Team News
New England will be going without starting cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis while wide receiver Mack Collins is also out.
However, the good news for the Pats is that starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson is expected to have recovered from a knee problem and defensive tackle Christian Barmore should be back after a shoulder injury.
The Raiders will be without starting wide receiver Jalen Nailor, who is out with concussion but tight end Brock Bowers is likely to play after practising on Friday following a knee issue. Running back Ashton Jeanty is questionable with an ankle problem.
Read more NFL betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
