Everything's coming up Raiders for 'TNF'

At first glance, tonight's NFL game may not tickle your fancy, but we have just the recipe to change your mind.

Things are looking like all Raiders to us tonight

We've got a Las Vegas team with everything on the line, as they've won three straight and have an outside chance of slipping into a Wild Card spot. Their offense has come alive here in the past month and the defense has been elite at getting to the passer, notching 11 sacks in their past three games (fourth most in the NFL).

On the other end is a hapless Rams team devoid of talent. The offensive line has been in shambles all year, the defense has been getting gashed through the air, the team is down their top two receivers, and they'll either have John Wolford at quarterback, who has looked quite horrid, or Baker Mayfield, who joined the team two days ago.

Is that enough to convince you to look the Raiders' way this evening? To us, the moneyline and spread (LV -6.5) are the easy parts of this Thursday night affair. We want more. Something that keeps us watching into the fourth and adds an extra layer of excitement to what is ultimately an inconsequential game.

How's this SGP sound?

• Raiders -13.5
• Davante Adams 100+ yards
• Davante Adams TD

Together, that trio comes out to +671 on FanDuel.

We've moved the spread up to two touchdowns as we project a Las Vegas blowout win on the road, and given how many yards Los Angeles has seen against them in the air the past few weeks, we naturally load up the Raiders' most talented receiver to help us get this lead. 

Adams has 125+ yards in four of his last five games, so asking for 100 seems easy. He's also scored seven touchdowns in his last five games, three times scoring twice in one game so again, one touchdown seems like a layup.

It's an aggressive play, but we feel the situation merits it. Let's have some fun tonight, go Raiders!

In the news ...

Golden Boot odds watch — The quarterfinals of the World Cup begin tomorrow, and now's a good time to scan the futures board, namely for the tournament's highest scorer. France's Kylian Mbappe is the heavy favorite at -175, followed by Brazil's Richarlison at +650. Mbappe currently has five goals, two more than the next closest player. Might we flag Goncalo Ramos of Portugal? Ramos came on and started for Ronaldo in Portugal's Round of 16 match and netted a hat trick in the effort. Should his role remain with a Portugal team that has a favorable draw to the semifinals, he could make this a competition. Ramos' odds sit at +1800 on DK.

Von Miller out for the year — The Buffalo Bills were dealt a slight blow to their Super Bowl aspirations with the announcement that EDGE rusher Von Miller has torn his ACL. Miller was leading the team in quarterback hits (12) and sacks (eight), and his loss will be felt. The team will turn to their pipeline of young pass-rushers in Greg Rousseau, AJ Epenesa, and Boogie Basham. The injury hasn't shaken the public's faith in Buffalo, they remain the favorites to win the Super Bowl at +350.

Tage Thompson's monster game moves him up the Hart Trophy board — Those who caught last night's TNT game between Buffalo and Columbus were in for a treat. The Sabres' Tage Thompson poured on a historic four goals in the first period, ultimately finishing the night with five goals. It was just the fourth time in NHL history a player notched four goals in the opening frame, and it's gotten bettors' attention. Thompson was +7500 to win the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player heading into the night, and his performance has lifted his odds to currently sit at +5000. Edmonton's Connor McDavid is the favorite at +120.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll