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Raiders and Cardinals See Their Odds to Make the Playoffs Fade After Week 12 Losses – Are Either Worth Betting

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in NFL Football

Updated Dec 2, 2020 · 6:47 AM PST

Kyler Murray running with the ball
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray scrambles away from New England Patriots defensive back Kyle Dugger, left, in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
  • Oddsmakers are still favoring the Arizona Cardinals (-122) to make the NFL playoffs
  • They aren’t as optimistic about the chances of the Las Vegas Raiders (+112)
  • Both Arizona (-205) and Las Vegas (-173) saw the odds of being postseason participants shorten following Week 12 setbacks

Following Week 12 losses, the chances that the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders will be making the NFL playoffs suddenly aren’t looking nearly as good.

The Raiders were stunned 43-6 by the lowly Atlanta Falcons to fall to 6-5 on the season. Las Vegas is currently the #9 seed in the AFC, on the outside looking in at the playoff picture.

The Cardinals also stubbed their collective toes, falling 20-17 to the New England Patriots. At 6-5, Arizona retains the seventh and final position in the NFC playoff seedings.

Arizona is still the odds-on favorite at -122 to make postseason play in the NFL playoff odds. The Raiders dropped to a betting line of +173 in terms of making the playoffs.

One week earlier, Las Vegas was favored to make the playoffs at odds of -173. Making the playoffs was also a heavier favorite for Arizona prior to Sunday’s defeat. The Cards were dealt odds of -205 to be in the postseason.

Arizona Cardinals To Make NFL Playoffs Odds

Yes Odds No Odds
-122 +100

All odds taken Dec. 2nd at FanDuel

Is It In The Cardinals?

The loss to New England completed a 1-3 November for Arizona. It was a four-game stretch that would’ve been winless if not for a Kyler Murray-to-DeAndre Hopkins last-minute Hail Mary that beat the Buffalo Bills.

NFL defenses appear to have schemed a formula to stifle second-year sensation Murray. The double threat at quarterback ran for just 31 yards against the Patriots. One week earlier, the Seattle Seahawks held Murray to 15 yards on the ground.

A mixture of blitzing and containment packages are keeping Murray in the pocket, or forcing him to audible and handoff to running backs. Keeping Murray in a conventional offensive formation is a huge win for a defense.

There’s also concern that an injury to Murray’s passing shoulder is worse than the team is suggesting. He threw for just 170 yards and no touchdowns against the Pats.

Other worrisome stats for Arizona – the Cards lead the NFL in penalties (7.7 per game) and kicker Zane Gonzalez is hitting only 76.2% of his field goals.

Tough Sledding Ahead

Starting with Sunday’s home game against the Los Angeles Rams, the Cardinals play three of their remaining games within the NFC West. There’s a home-and-home with the 7-5 Rams, as well as a home date with the 5-6 San Francisco 49ers.

The Niners, Minnesota Vikings, and Chicago Bears are all within a game of the Cards in the NFC Wild Card race.

Arizona also plays the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles. That’s good news. Teams in the NFC East generally only win when playing each other.

Pick: Arizona Cardinals to make NFL playoffs (-122)

Raiders Of A Lost Cause?

This year was going to be different, the Raiders vowed. New home, new attitude, different outcome.

A year ago, the Raiders were also 6-4 entering Week 12. Then they took 34-3 pratfall against the New York Jets and never recovered.

Las Vegas Raiders To Make NFL Playoffs Odds

Yes Odds No Odds
+112 -136

The 2019 Jets, like the Falcons last Sunday, took the field with a 3-7 record. And look who’s up next for the Raiders – the 0-11 Jets.

During the debacle against Atlanta, QB Derek Carr lost three fumbles and threw a pick-six. It was the first time in seven years that a Raiders QB committed four turnovers in a game.

Las Vegas was penalized 11 times for 141 yards. The Raiders were flagged eight times the previous week during a loss to Kansas City.

Running back Josh Jacobs was held to 27 yards on the ground, fumbled and sprained his ankle. His status for Sunday is uncertain.

Fate Is In Their Hands

The 7-4 Indianapolis Colts hold the last AFC Wild Card. The 6-4 Baltimore Ravens are also ahead of the Raiders while New England (5-6) hot on their heels.

The Raiders play host to the Colts and #6-seeded Miami Dolphins (7-4) over the last five weeks and can control their own destiny.

AFC West games with the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos are also on the docket.

Pick: Las Vegas Raiders to miss NFL playoffs (-136)

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