Arizona Cardinals vs Las Vegas Raiders Picks and Prediction for Thursday August 13 2026
The Arizona Cardinals visit the Las Vegas Raiders for an NFL preseason matchup at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Thursday, August 13, 2026. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET, with Arizona’s Family providing regional coverage in the Cardinals’ television market. Las Vegas is a 2.5-point favorite, Arizona is available at +2.5, and the total is set at 40.5. The Raiders are approximately -135 on the moneyline, while the Cardinals are priced around +114. Football bettors can find additional analysis throughout the season by visiting our free NFL picks.
Arizona has already played one exhibition game, losing 33-30 to Carolina in the Hall of Fame Game. Las Vegas will be making its preseason debut under first-year head coach Klint Kubiak. The Raiders possess home-field advantage and an intriguing collection of quarterbacks, but the Cardinals’ additional week of live-game preparation provides meaningful value in an otherwise closely matched contest.
Arizona Already Has One Preseason Game Behind It
The Cardinals began the Mike LaFleur era with a narrow loss against Carolina in Canton. Arizona allowed the deciding touchdown during the closing moments but still produced 30 points and gained valuable experience across its roster. That game should reduce some of the penalties, communication mistakes, and substitution problems that frequently affect teams during their first preseason appearance.
Rookie Carson Beck was one of Arizona’s most encouraging performers. The third-round selection completed 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and one touchdown, showing impressive accuracy and composure during his NFL debut. Beck started because Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew II were held out, allowing the rookie to receive extended work against Carolina.
Arizona’s quarterback room also includes Kedon Slovis, giving LaFleur four available options. Brissett is positioned as the regular-season starter, while Minshew provides extensive NFL experience behind him. The Cardinals have not confirmed how the repetitions will be divided against Las Vegas, but Beck’s performance should earn him another meaningful opportunity. If Brissett or Minshew also participates, Arizona will have an experienced quarterback directing the offense throughout much of the game.
The concern is Arizona’s short turnaround after playing an additional exhibition contest. The Cardinals opened training camp earlier because of the Hall of Fame Game and must now play for the second time in seven days. LaFleur could limit some players who received heavy workloads against Carolina, potentially leaving the second-half lineup dependent upon deeper reserves.
Las Vegas Begins a New Era under Klint Kubiak
The Raiders will play their first game under Klint Kubiak after finishing 3-14 last season. Kubiak brings a structured offensive system built around play-action passing and a strong rushing foundation. Thursday’s game provides the coaching staff with its first opportunity to evaluate the roster against an outside opponent.
Kirk Cousins is expected to enter the regular season as the starting quarterback, but his availability for the preseason opener had not been confirmed when this preview was written. Cousins and Maxx Crosby were recently held out of a training-camp practice after an altercation, although both were expected to return to practice before Thursday. Las Vegas has little incentive to expose its veteran quarterback to an extensive workload in the opening exhibition game.
The most important Raiders storyline involves Fernando Mendoza, the first overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mendoza received first-team repetitions while Cousins was held out and reportedly showed encouraging command of the offense. The rookie will eventually be expected to become the franchise quarterback, making every preseason possession valuable to his development.
Aidan O’Connell gives Las Vegas an experienced option behind Cousins and Mendoza. O’Connell has already started regular-season games for the Raiders and understands the demands of operating an NFL offense. Rookie Jacob Clark completes the quarterback group and could handle much of the fourth-quarter workload as the coaching staff evaluates the bottom of the roster.
The Raiders should also emphasize their rushing attack. Kubiak’s system is designed to create manageable situations for its quarterbacks, while second-year running back Ashton Jeanty remains a central part of the offense’s long-term plans. The reserve offensive linemen will be competing for jobs, but using a run-heavy approach should help Las Vegas avoid placing Mendoza or Clark in unnecessarily difficult passing situations.
Arizona Cardinals vs Las Vegas Raiders Picks and Prediction
- Pick: Arizona Cardinals +2.5
Arizona is the preferred side because it has already experienced the pace and operational demands of a preseason game. The Cardinals generated 30 points against Carolina, while Beck completed nearly 79 percent of his passes and averaged almost 10 yards per attempt. That performance demonstrated that Arizona can move the football after its established starters leave the field.
Las Vegas has considerable quarterback potential, but Mendoza and Clark will be making their NFL preseason debuts. Cousins may receive little or no playing time, leaving the Raiders dependent upon O’Connell to provide stability around the rookie quarterbacks. Mendoza could perform well, but laying points with a team introducing a new coaching staff and offensive system creates unnecessary risk.
The Cardinals also benefit from having four viable quarterbacks. Beck’s strong debut should give Arizona confidence if Brissett and Minshew are rested again, while Slovis provides another developmental option for the closing stages. Taking 2.5 points with the team that has already played once is the more attractive preseason position.
- Pick: Over 40.5
The over is the preferred total, although 40.5 is a relatively demanding preseason number. Arizona’s first game produced 63 combined points, and its offense demonstrated that it could generate explosive passing plays with Beck directing the unit. The Cardinals also allowed 33 points, including the late touchdown that decided the game.
Las Vegas has enough quarterback depth to contribute its share. O’Connell brings regular-season experience, while Mendoza’s first-team training-camp work should help him operate Kubiak’s offense. The rookie will have talented skill-position players available during the early portion of the game, while several reserves will be competing aggressively for roster positions later.
The greatest danger to the over is a conservative game plan built around evaluating both rushing attacks. However, Arizona’s defense struggled to finish against Carolina, and the Raiders should have opportunities to create points against a team playing for the second time in one week. Arizona has also shown that its reserve offense can score, making a result in the low-to-mid twenties for both teams realistic.
Final Score Prediction: Arizona Cardinals 24, Las Vegas Raiders 23