The Raiders are one of the NFL's most iconic brands, with a famous silver-and-black identity and a history split across Oakland, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Their move into an indoor stadium changed how home games play out. Here's how to read Raiders odds.
Who the Las Vegas Raiders are
City and stadium
The Raiders were founded in Oakland in 1960 as an original AFL team. They moved to Los Angeles from 1982 to 1994, returned to Oakland in 1995 and then moved to Las Vegas in 2020. In Las Vegas they play at Allegiant Stadium, a domed stadium with a natural grass field that rolls in and out. That means home games are played indoors in controlled conditions.
Famous eras
- The Al Davis era: longtime owner Al Davis shaped the franchise's identity with the motto "Just win, baby."
- Super Bowl titles: the Raiders won Super Bowl XI (1976 season), Super Bowl XV (1980 season) and Super Bowl XVIII (1983 season, as the Los Angeles Raiders).
- Later runs: they reached Super Bowl XXXVII after the 2002 season, losing to Tampa Bay.
Rivalries
The Raiders play in the AFC West with the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers. The Chiefs and Broncos rivalries go back to the AFL. Historic rivalries with the Steelers in the 1970s produced classic games, including the "Immaculate Reception."
How to read odds on Raiders games
Favorite or underdog
Raiders -3 (-120), moneyline -155: implied 155 ÷ 255 = 60.8%. Raiders +6.5 and +225: implied 100 ÷ 325 = 30.8%.
Indoor home games
Since moving to a dome, Raiders home games are played without wind, rain or cold. That means:
- Totals reflect team quality and style more than weather.
- Kicking is more predictable indoors.
On the road, the Raiders face outdoor stadiums in Denver, Kansas City and elsewhere. Late-season outdoor games can lower scoring. See weather and outdoor sports.
Visiting fans in Las Vegas
Las Vegas is a destination city, so visiting fans often travel in large numbers to Raiders home games. Some observers believe this can reduce the home crowd's effect. It's hard to measure, but it's one reason home advantage may vary by venue. See home-field advantage.
Worked example: indoor vs outdoor totals
The Raiders play a division opponent twice:
- At home in the dome: total 45.5
- On the road in December with strong wind: total 40.5
If you picked the over in the first game and the under in the second, you're not contradicting yourself; you're accounting for conditions.
History of relocation
The Raiders' moves between Oakland, Los Angeles and Las Vegas mean the fan base is spread across several regions. That's part of why Raiders road games often have a strong showing of silver and black in the stands, particularly in California. When you read a Raiders road line, the usual home edge may matter slightly less than normal in places where Raiders fans travel well. It's a small effect, and the market is aware of it.
Season-long markets
AFC West win totals are a popular way to take a season-long view. If the Raiders' win total is 6.5 with the over at -115, the implied chance is 115 ÷ 215 = 53.5% that they win seven or more. Look at how many division games come late in the year, when outdoor road trips to Denver and Kansas City can be cold.
What to check before picking Raiders games
- Quarterback status.
- Venue: dome at home, outdoors on the road.
- Weather for road games in December.
- Crowd composition for big home games.
- Division spots, including back-to-back AFC West games.
- Your estimate vs the price. See value betting.
Practice with play money
Raiders games make a nice study in indoor vs outdoor scoring. On MockSport you can make free play-money picks on Raiders totals and compare results at home and on the road. Visit the odds page.
FAQ
When did the Raiders move to Las Vegas?
In 2020, after periods in Oakland (1960-1981 and 1995-2019) and Los Angeles (1982-1994).
Is the Raiders' stadium indoors?
Yes. Their Las Vegas stadium is domed, so home games are played indoors.
How many Super Bowls have the Raiders won?
Three: Super Bowls XI, XV and XVIII.