Raiders vs Cardinals Prediction & Betting Tips for NFL Preseason Week 1 on 8/13/2026

The 2026 preseason kicks off with an exciting matchup as the Arizona Cardinals travel to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to take on the Raiders. Set for Thursday, August 13th at 8:00 PM, this night game will be broadcasted live on ESPN. Despite the overcast clouds and very hot weather outside, the dome environment ensures the game remains unaffected by the elements.

Both the Cardinals and the Raiders are coming off challenging seasons, each finishing with a 3-14 record in the 2025 regular season. The Cardinals, led by head coach Mike LaFleur, aim to improve under the guidance of their coordinators Nathaniel Hackett and Nick Rallis. The Raiders, coached by Klint Kubiak, will look to leverage their home advantage in Allegiant Stadium to kick off the preseason with a win.

The Cardinals recently faced the Carolina Panthers in their preseason opener, where they narrowly lost 33-30. Despite the loss, players like Corey Kiner and Carson Beck demonstrated promising performances, contributing significantly to the team's offensive efforts. With the Cardinals looking to bounce back and the Raiders eager to start strong, this game sets the stage for an intriguing preseason showdown.

Raiders vs Cardinals At a Glance (Preseason Week 1)

• The Arizona Cardinals face the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2026 Preseason Week 1.
• Both teams ended last regular season with a 3-14 record.
• This game is held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV, under a dome.
• The Cardinals lost their previous preseason game to the Panthers, 33-30.
• The game will be aired on ESPN at 8:00 PM on Thursday, August 13, 2026.
• Consensus odds favor the Raiders with a -112 moneyline and a -0.5 spread.

The Las Vegas Raiders: A Deep Dive into the 2026 Preseason Opener

Offensive Overview

The Las Vegas Raiders struggled offensively during the 2025 season, ranking near the bottom in several key categories. They scored just 14.2 points per game, placing them 29th in the league. Their total offensive yards per game were a mere 245.2, ranking them 31st overall.

Passing and rushing were both areas of concern for the Raiders. They ranked 28th in passing yards per game and 31st in rushing yards per game. Improving these numbers will be crucial for the team's success in the 2026 season.

Defensive Insights

The Raiders' defense also faced challenges last season, allowing 25.4 points per game, which ranked them 24th in the league. However, they showed some strength in generating pressure with 37 sacks, ranking them 10th in this category.

Against the pass, they were ranked 14th, allowing 201 yards per game, while their run defense was slightly weaker, ranked 17th, giving up 116.8 yards per game. Improving their run defense will be key to limiting opponents' scoring opportunities.

Key Players to Watch

Ashton Jeanty was a standout in the rushing department last season, accumulating 975 yards and 5 touchdowns. Wide receiver Tre Tucker also had a solid year with 57 receptions and 696 receiving yards. Both players will be essential in providing offensive spark this preseason.

Tight end Brock Bowers made a significant impact with 64 receptions and 680 receiving yards. On special teams, Daniel Carlson remains reliable, converting 22 field goals last season.

Injury Concerns

The Raiders will start the preseason without wide receivers Justin Shorter and Corey Rucker. Both are dealing with undisclosed injuries and have been placed on the injured reserve list for the 2026-27 season.

These absences may affect the Raiders' depth at the wide receiver position, putting more pressure on other players to step up in their absence.

Upcoming Preseason Games

The Raiders will kick off their preseason at home against the Arizona Cardinals on August 13, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium. Following this, they will play the Houston Texans away and the San Francisco 49ers at home.

These games will provide the Raiders with an opportunity to evaluate their roster and make necessary adjustments before the regular season begins.

Las Vegas Raiders Betting Trends

• The Raiders have gone over the total in their last 3 preseason games after a win (100%).
• They have a 5-1 straight-up record after a win in their last 6 preseason games (83.3%).
• The over has hit in 4 of their last 5 away preseason games (80%).
• In all preseason games since 2021, the over has hit 9 times out of 14 (64.3%).
• In games with totals ≤ 42, the over has hit in 9 of 14 preseason games since 2021 (64.3%).

Cardinals Prepare for Raiders in Preseason Showdown

Offensive Outlook

The Arizona Cardinals' offense showed promising signs in the 2026 preseason opener despite a close 33-30 loss to the Carolina Panthers. They recorded an impressive 425 total offensive yards, ranking them first in the preseason so far. Their passing game was particularly strong, with 282 yards contributing to their top-ranked status in passing yards.

Corey Kiner stood out in the rushing department, accumulating 57 yards and a touchdown. Carson Beck and Kedon Slovis combined for over 290 passing yards and two touchdowns, indicating a solid quarterback rotation. The Cardinals aim to maintain their offensive momentum against the Raiders.

Defensive Analysis

Defensively, the Cardinals showed vulnerabilities, allowing 33 points against the Panthers. They ranked first in total defensive yards allowed, but need to tighten up, especially against the pass. The defensive line managed just one sack, indicating room for improvement in applying pressure on the opposing quarterback.

Key players such as Isaiah Oliver and Elijah Culp contributed with multiple tackles. However, without any interceptions or significant turnovers, the Cardinals will need to bolster their playmaking ability to disrupt the Raiders' offensive schemes.

Key Players to Watch

On offense, Jalen Brooks and Reggie Virgil will be crucial targets for the quarterbacks. Brooks led with 99 receiving yards against the Panthers, showcasing his potential as a deep threat. Virgil also had a solid performance with 66 receiving yards.

Defensively, Isaiah Oliver remains a key figure in the secondary. His experience and tackling ability will be vital in managing the Raiders' receiving corps. Meanwhile, the Cardinals will look to Zaven Collins to lead the linebacker group in containing the Raiders' ground game.

Injury Impact

The Cardinals face several injury challenges that could impact their lineup. Notably, Kenny Yeboah and Joey Blount are both out for the season, affecting the tight end and secondary depth. Additionally, Josh Sweat's knee injury keeps him on the physically unable to perform list, limiting their pass rush options.

Garrett Williams and PJ Mustipher's absences further deplete the defense, particularly the secondary and defensive line. These injuries may force younger players to step up in critical roles against the Raiders.

Betting Trends

• The Cardinals have a 5-1 record in over/under home games in the last six regular-season games.
• They have a 9-4 record in over/under for all regular-season games in the last 13 games.
• As underdogs, their over/under record is 8-4 in the last 12 regular-season games.
• In the preseason, they have won four out of their last six games following a loss.
• The Cardinals have a 2-1 straight-up record as favorites in the last three preseason games.

Raiders vs Cardinals Prediction: Over 40.5

The preseason game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Arizona Cardinals sets up for an intriguing offensive display. The Cardinals have shown strong offensive statistics in the 2026 preseason with an average of 30 points per game, ranking them second overall. Meanwhile, their defense allowed 33 points in their first preseason game, indicating a possible high-scoring affair.

The Raiders have a history of exceeding totals in preseason play, with a 9-5 record in games where the total was set at 42 points or below from 2021 to 2025. With both teams having struggled defensively in the previous regular season, we can expect points to be scored readily in this matchup. The Cardinals' offensive firepower combined with a subpar defense enhances the likelihood of surpassing the set total.

The game will be played in the controlled conditions of Allegiant Stadium's dome, ensuring that weather will not be a factor. This further supports the potential for both offenses to execute their game plans effectively. Given the trends and current form, the over at 40.5 is an appealing option.

Taking into account the preseason performances and trends, a projected score of Cardinals 27 - Raiders 24 reflects a game total that surpasses the 40.5 mark. This prediction aligns with the offensive tendencies exhibited by both teams thus far in the preseason.

• Raiders vs Cardinals Prediction: Over 40.5
• Raiders vs Cardinals Score: Cardinals 27 - Raiders 24

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