Raiders vs Seahawks Odds, Predictions & Starters/Inactives

• Las Vegas is a 5-point road favorite for Thursday’s preseason opener at Lumen Field
• Pete Carroll says Raiders starters are “ready to go” while Mike Macdonald will rest Seahawks’ first-stringers
• See my Raiders vs Seahawks predictions, updated odds and the latest on who’s actually taking the field below

The NFL preseason heats up Thursday night with a juicy storyline to watch. Pete Carroll returns to Seattle for the first time as the Raiders’ new head coach, facing his former team at Lumen Field.

Carroll’s Raiders visit as 5-point favorites, with online sportsbooks giving Las Vegas plenty of respect in the NFL odds. The reason? Carroll plans to play his starters while Mike Macdonald keeps Seattle’s top guys in street clothes.

I’m not buying the Raiders covering this spread in preseason action, so keep reading for odds and my expert Raiders vs Seahawks predictions.

Raiders vs Seahawks Odds – August 7

Las Vegas is currently listed as a 5-point home favorite and -235 on the moneyline, while the Seahawks come back as a +190 underdog. Las Vegas’ implied win probability based on the NFL preseason odds is 70%.

The Raiders opened as 1.5-point underdogs before Carroll’s announcement about playing starters flipped the line. Vegas jumped to -4.5 in a matter of hours. The total sits at 37 points with juice shaded to the under at most books.

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK

Offer

T&Cs

Get Up To $1,500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets

21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (US); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ); 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA); 1-800-981-0023 (PR), 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov (NC). See BetMGM.com for T&C. US promotional offers not available in MS, NY, NV, ON, or PR.

LOCK IN PROMO

CODE: SBD1500

CODE: SBD1500

SIGNUP BONUS

GET $1,500
BACK

BET NOW

Odds as of August 7th at BetMGM. New customers can claim the BetMGM promo code and get a bonus to use on Raiders vs Seahawks.

Raiders vs Seahawks Predictions

• Seahawks +5 (-110 at MGM)
• Under 37 (-110 at MGM)

Carroll might play his starters, but we’re talking about one or two series max. After Geno Smith takes his potential snaps against his former team, this becomes Aidan O’Connell vs Drew Lock. Neither quarterback gives their team a real edge.

The real difference comes later when the rookies take over. Seattle’s Jalen Milroe brings elite athleticism that should terrorize third-string defenses. The former Alabama quarterback was selected 92nd overall by the Seahawks. Meanwhile, Las Vegas counters with sixth-rounder Cam Miller from North Dakota State, picked 215th.

Both coaches come from defensive backgrounds. Carroll went 28-20-1 ATS in his preseason career. The quarterback rotation kills any offensive rhythm. O’Connell and Lock might move the ball against backup defenses, but they won’t play long enough to rack up points.

Pete Carroll’s preseason philosophy changed later in his Seattle tenure. He wasn’t a good bet in exhibition games toward the end. Now with a new team and something to prove, he might revert to his old ways. But preseason is about evaluating depth, not winning games

Seattle should have the deeper roster at home. Mike Macdonald’s defensive scheme could confuse rookie quarterbacks all night. Give me the Seahawks catching the points and take the under.

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK

Offer

T&Cs

Get Up To $1,500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets

21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (US); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ); 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA); 1-800-981-0023 (PR), 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov (NC). See BetMGM.com for T&C. US promotional offers not available in MS, NY, NV, ON, or PR.

LOCK IN PROMO

CODE: SBD1500

CODE: SBD1500

SIGNUP BONUS

GET $1,500
BACK

BET NOW

Who’s Playing: Raiders vs Seahawks Starters/Inactives

This game’s spread moved entirely because of one sentence from Pete Carroll: “Everybody’s live, everybody’s ready to go.” The Raiders plan to give their starters some run, though Carroll hasn’t specified how long.

Geno Smith could see action in his Seattle return if Carroll follows through. First-round pick Ashton Jeanty should get his first NFL touches at running back. Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers are among the offensive weapons who could play limited snaps.

After the starters exit, Aidan O’Connell takes over at quarterback. He started off and on for the Raiders last season and has plenty to prove. Behind him, rookie Cam Miller should see extensive action in the second half.

Notable Raiders and Seahawks Playing Tonight

Mike Macdonald made it crystal clear: no starters Thursday night. Sam Darnold watches from the sideline. Kenneth Walker III sits after dealing with a foot issue. Cooper Kupp and Jaxon Smith-Njigba stay in street clothes.

Instead, Seattle rolls with Drew Lock at quarterback to start. Lock has plenty of NFL experience and completed 66.7% of his passes with 4 TD and 0 INT in preseason action last year. He’ll hand things off to rookie Jalen Milroe, who could be a mobile threat with his legs.

Seattle’s defense is missing several key pieces. Johnathan Hankins, Uchenna Nwosu, and Rylie Mills are all out. Linebacker Tyrice Knight left Monday’s practice with a knee injury and won’t play. The Seahawks will be playing mostly third-stringers on defense, which could help O’Connell and the Raiders’ backups move the ball early.