A pair of cross-conference foes will meet up out West when the Seattle Seahawks host the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 12. Kickoff is slated for 4:05 p.m. ET from Lumen Field and will be televised on CBS. Nonetheless, with a focus on Geno Smith, odds and other data, it’s time to showcase our Raiders-Seahawks prediction and picks.
These two teams have vastly different campaigns, especially when you factor in preseason expectations. The Raiders, who made the postseason a year ago, are 3-7 and essentially out of the mix in a loaded AFC. The Seahawks are 6-4 after trading Russell Wilson in the offseason, which puts them firmly in the NFC postseason picture.
Make sure to check out our OddsShopper tool before betting on any Week 12 games ahead of Sunday’s action.
NFL Odds: Raiders-Seahawks Odds
Raiders: +4 (-110)
Seahawks: -4 (110)
Over/under: 47.5
Could Las Vegas Have Momentum?
It has been an underwhelming season for the Raiders during Year 1 of the Josh McDaniels era. They have already lost as many games as they did last season during a 10-7 showing en route to falling to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Wild Card round.
But the Raiders are coming off a 22-16 overtime victory over the Denver Broncos in a divisional matchup. It snapped a three-game losing skid and came as a 2.5-point underdog, so bettors might be reluctant to fade this team in Seattle. The Raiders have yet to win multiple games in a row and are 4-6 against the spread so far this season.
The tandem of Derek Carr and Davante Adams will have to get the better of Seattle’s secondary to have a chance on Sunday. Adams has recorded at least 13 targets in each of the last three games, leading to 44 total targets over that span. He has turned that into three consecutive 100-yard performances.
Seattle ranks 21st against the pass, surrendering an average of 229.1 yards per game. If Las Vegas continues to have success through the air, this team could actually record its first win streak of the season.
Seahawks Fresh Off Bye Week
The last time we saw the Seahawks, they were suffering a 21-16 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Germany during Week 10. Pete Carroll’s squad had a bye last week, and had time to think about the loss that ended a four-game win streak.
If the season ended today, the Seahawks would be the No. 7 seed in the NFC Playoffs. They have a +14 point differential and are certainly better than anyone expected after trading away their franchise quarterback in the offseason.
Geno Smith’s play during his Age 32 season is a big reason why. Smith is completing 72.8% of his passes, which leads the league. He has thrown for 2,474 yards and 17 touchdowns. This marks the first time Smith has made more than three starts in a year since 2014 — his second after being drafted with the 39th overall pick by the New York Jets.
The Seahawks are 6-4 against the spread during this surprising run. They have covered the number in four of their last five games, though this will be the biggest favorite they have been all year.
Final Raiders-Seahawks Prediction & Pick
The Seahawks have been a pleasant surprise, but it is tough to lay this big of a number with them. The Seahawks were a 3-point favorite against the Giants before rolling to a 27-13 win, but they have mostly thrived as an underdog as they have been getting points in eight different games.
Asking Seattle to win by more than four points is a completely different story, at least compared to where this team has stood in the market. The Raiders have also played in three consecutive one-score games, a trend that should continue with a competitive matchup on Sunday.
Best Raiders-Seahawks Bet: Raiders +4 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook.
