Las Vegas Raiders Medium Favorite (-3.5 to -7) Betting Trend

The Raiders' struggles as medium favorites stem from a franchise culture that has long thrived as underdogs but consistently falters when expectations rise. This psychological dynamic creates a dangerous betting scenario where Las Vegas often gets inflated lines based on their explosive offensive potential rather than their actual ability to control games against quality opponents. When installed as medium favorites, the Raiders typically face teams that can exploit their defensive inconsistencies and special teams vulnerabilities. Their aggressive, high-variance playing style that works well when chasing points becomes a liability when they need to protect leads and manage game flow. The team's coaching staff has historically struggled with situational football in these spots, making questionable decisions that keep inferior opponents within striking distance. The Raiders' roster construction also works against them in these situations. Their defense lacks the depth and reliability needed to consistently shut down opponents when holding moderate leads, while their offense becomes predictable when forced to play more conservatively. This creates the perfect storm for backdoor covers and outright upsets. This trend becomes most critical when the Raiders are favored against divisional opponents or teams with strong rushing attacks that can control tempo and limit Las Vegas's explosive plays.