Las Vegas Raiders vs Arizona Cardinals Prediction 8/13/2026 Picks

The Arizona Cardinals and the Las Vegas Raiders meet Thursday in NFL preseason action from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas Valley. Here’s a Cardinals vs Raiders prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Cardinals vs Raiders pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.

Arizona Cardinals Betting Preview

The Cardinals would like to get out on the field quickly this year so that they can completely put the 2025 campaign in the rearview mirror. Arizona finished just 3-14 overall last season, landing firmly in the basement of the NFC West. It was a major step back from the mediocre heights of an 8-9 run in 2024, resulting in a franchise record for most losses in a season as well as the team’s fourth straight missed playoffs. The last 15 games were a horrendous 1-14 run following a couple of wins to start things off.

Arizona underwent a major overhaul in the offseason and they’ll be in rebuild mode for 2026. The main goal here is to show some improvement, which shouldn’t be too difficult. Mike La Fleur takes the helm as the team’s third head coach in the last five seasons. He’ll have a new offensive coordinator in Nathaniel Hackett, who has the unenviable challenge of sparking some lights on the scoreboard in Arizona. The good news is that Arizona didn’t fare too badly in their preseason opener versus the Carolina Panthers, notching a 33-30 loss and a solid QB performance between Carson Beck and Kedon Slovis.

Las Vegas Raiders Betting Preview

Over on the Raiders’ side, they’re in pretty much the same proverbial boat. Las Vegas is coming off a dismal 3-14 record in 2025, which sadly enough was worse than their 4-13 run in 2024. Needless to say, the Raiders missed the playoffs (for the fourth straight year and the 21st time in 23 seasons) and finished at the bottom of the division standings.

Vegas will be under the care of head coach Klint Kubiak this year, and they’ve made some major improvements to the roster—on paper at least. Veteran Kirk Cousins will take the helm at QB for the time being, additionally helping to mentor No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza. If things go sideways early, Las Vegas will have no issue beginning the Mendoza era.

Why the Arizona Cardinals will win

• The Cardinals have covered the spread in each of their last seven road openers.

Total Points Facts

• Ten of the Cardinals’ last 11 September games as road underdogs have gone UNDER the total points line.

Arizona Cardinals Player Prop Facts

• James Conner has recorded 20+ receiving yards in each of his last six appearances with his team as an underdog against AFC West opponents.
• Jacoby Brissett has recorded 243+ passing yards in each of the Cardinals’ last four road games as heavy underdogs (>+7.0 points).
• James Conner has recorded 83+ rushing and receiving yards in five of his last six appearances against AFC opponents.
• Trey McBride has scored at least one touchdown in seven of the Cardinals’ last eight road games.
• Jacoby Brissett has recorded 19+ rushing yards in four of the Cardinals’ last five games as heavy underdogs (>+7.0 points).
• Gardner Minshew II has recorded 25+ completions in four of his last five September appearances with his team as a road underdog.
• Jacoby Brissett recorded the most pass attempts in a single game last season (57 vs 49ers, Week 11).

Why the Las Vegas Raiders will win

• The Raiders have won each of their last four home games against AFC East opponents.
• The Raiders have covered the spread in five of their last six games as home favorites against AFC opponents.

  Total Points Facts

• Each of the Raiders’ last four season openers have gone UNDER the total points line.   

Cardinals vs Raiders Prediction 

I’ll lean toward the Raiders, but anything can happen with preseason games. Las Vegas likely isn’t going to set the proverbial world on fire this season. That said, there’s plenty to be optimistic about if you’re a Raiders fan. In addition to the Cousins/Mendoza combo at quarterback, Las Vegas signed Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum (to a huge $81 million contract) to help shore up the line. They’ve also got some intriguing weapons like RB Ashton Jeanty and TE Brock Bowers. Improvement in the record column seems inevitable right now.

As for the Cards, they managed to rack up 425 yards (282 passing) and 6.5 yards per play in their three-point preseason opener loss to Carolina. Arizona added a pretty nice performance on third downs (7-of-12) and had zero turnovers. Still, the Cardinals have a long way to go before they return to relevance. It’s going to be another long season.

Andrew Jett's Pick: Las Vegas Raiders -1.5