Cardinals vs. Raiders Prediction: NFL Preseason Picks & Best Bets (Aug. 13)
The NFL preseason begins in full force on Thursday, featuring the likely debuts of top draft picks Fernando Mendoza and Jeremiyah Love in Las Vegas. My Cardinals vs. Raiders prediction backs a winner in the matchup while also offering a best bet to target.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (ESPN Unlimited), with the Raiders priced as a 1.5-point home betting favorite.
π Cardinals vs. Raiders prediction: NFL preseason
See the latest NFL odds and our experts' NFL picks for every game this preseason.
| π° Pick | βοΈ Bet size (units) | π§ Why I bet this |
|---|---|---|
| Cardinals +1.5 (-110 via bet365) | 0.4u β 0.36u | Carson Beck's strong debut gives the Cardinals important depth at QB |
| Under 41.5 (-110 via DraftKings) | 0.6u β 0.55u | Highest total of preseason Week 1 is an overreaction to the HOF game |
Total wagered: 1 unit | Max profit: 0.91 units
π Cardinals vs. Raiders game pick: Cardinals +1.5 (-110)
Follow all of our NFL analysis and betting advice for the 2026 NFL preseason.
While I'm excited to see what Jeremiyah Love looks like in his preseason debut, it's another Cardinals rookie behind my decision to back Arizona on Thursday. Third-round quarterback Carson Beck played like a veteran in his start last Thursday, putting up sterling numbers while playing the majority of the game. That gives the Cardinals the depth at the signal-caller position to outlast the Raiders in a preseason matchup that will naturally feature more snaps going to backups than starters.
Besides, backing short road underdogs is a valuable play in the preseason when playing at home offers no advantage for teams.
Score prediction: Cardinals 19, Raiders 16
π° Cardinals vs. Raiders best bet: Under 41.5 (-110)
This is an overinflated total due to last week's 63-point Hall of Fame Game involving the Cardinals. It's the highest number of this week's slate and could end up being the loftiest for this entire preseason.
That makes it an easy Under to play, betting on historical results rather than a single outlier. With both teams expected to start their QB1s - Kirk Cousins and Jacoby Brissett - we could see as many as six quarterback changes in this contest that will halt offensive flow β and scoring, as a result. I wagered on Under 41.5 at DraftKings' solid -110 price tag.
π‘ NFL preseason betting strategy
Itβs important not to get carried away with your bet sizes in the preseason. Iβm only betting one unit total across my two favorite wagers for Cardinals vs. Raiders because there is so much uncertainty in the preseason surrounding player snap counts, play-calling, and other variables.
My most confident play (Under 41.5) received the highest wager at 0.6 units, slightly above my other best bet at 0.4 units. Bankroll management is crucial in sports betting, so be smart with yours.
π Cardinals vs. Raiders odds: NFL preseason
Our live Cardinals vs. Raiders odds update in real time.
π Cardinals vs. Raiders latest injuries
πΊ How to watch Cardinals vs. Raiders: NFL preseason
- Date: Thursday, Aug. 13
- Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas)
- Streaming: ESPN Unlimited
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