Las Vegas Raiders vs. Washington Commanders Picks and Predictions, Sunday September 21, 2025
The NFL is off to a red-hot start in the 2025 season, and with so many teams having playoff aspirations, we'll see two do battle on Sunday in our Las Vegas Raiders vs. Washington Commanders prediction.
The Las Vegas Raiders (1-1) have been fairly competitive through two weeks, but if they have any hope of making some noise in the AFC West, they'll need to come up with some big road upsets throughout the year.
On Sunday, they take on the Washington Commanders (1-1), a team that has high hopes after a surprise 2024 campaign, and after some up-and-down performances through two weeks, they need to make a statement in this one. Read on to see our Las Vegas Raiders vs. Washington Commanders prediction.
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Can the Raiders cause an upset on the road?
The Las Vegas Raiders have shown improvement after a disappointing campaign in 2024, and after an upset win on the road in Week One, they come into this matchup full of confidence. Through two games, this team has been up and down offensively, ranking 23rd in the NFL in yards and 31st in points per game, but the defense has allowed just 33 points through those two matchups.
In Geno Smith, the Raiders now have an efficient QB, but with just one touchdown to four interceptions early in the 2025 campaign, there are doubts whether or not they have the skill position talent around him to compete in the AFC West. Last time out for the Raiders was a tough loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night, with Smith's QBR of 19 showing just how much the team struggled with three picks, as they managed a total of 218 yards of offense, falling 20-9 in their home opener.
Expect more from tight end Brock Bowers, who did not practice until last Saturday due to a sprained knee and played on Monday. He wound up with five catches for 38 yards, but will need to be more productive against Washington on Sunday afternoon.
Cornerback Decamerion Richardson (hamstring) is questionable.
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Can the Commanders make a statement in this one?
The Washington Commanders were the surprise of the NFL a season ago behind Jayden Daniels as they made it to the NFC Championship Game, and now, the expectations rise for 2025, especially in a very winnable division in the NFC East. Through two games this season, the offense has been surprisingly lackluster, ranking 23rd in the NFL in points scored, and with the defense also allowing just 33 points total, this one could be a matchup of two solid defensive units.
Those offensive struggles have not turned into turnovers at this point, with Daniels posting a TD/INT ratio of 3/0, and if they can get their run game going to support their second-year QB, this won't be a team to be taken lightly. Last time out for the Commanders was a loss at the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night , with Daniels creating 217 yards of offense himself and two scores, but with the defense giving up over 400 yards of offense, they fell in a tough one, 27-18.
Daniels will miss this game due to a knee sprain suffered against the Packers. He will be replaced by former Raiders' quarterback Marcus Mariota, who played in three games last season for the Commanders. He threw for four touchdowns and 364 yards last season. Washington also lost speedy back Austin Ekeler (Achilles) for the season in their last game.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Washington Commanders pick
Money line pick for the Raiders vs. Commanders
- Washington -3 (5 units)
Unsurprisingly, the Commanders come into this one as a tight favorite, but with both teams going 1-1 to start the year and ranking bottom 10 in offense in the NFL, this game will rest on whichever offensive unit can break out of their slump.
These two teams haven't matched up since 2021, but with the Commanders going 8-2 in their last 10 games played at home, expect Mariota to do what's necessary because he's one of the best backups in the game. At 31, he understands how to move the ball as a runner and passer.
Over/Under pick for Raiders vs. Commanders
- Under 45.5 (4 units)
Simply put, neither of these offenses have produced consistently in 2025, with both ranking bottom-10 in the NFL in yards and points, and with both allowing 16.5 points a game through two weeks, this one may be a defensive struggle.
For the Raiders, the under sits at 7-3 in their last 10 overall games, with the team scoring 20 or more in just two of their last six games on the road, and for the Commanders, the under comes in at 5-5 in their past 10, with the team allowing 25 or less points in seven of those games. Expect Washington also to be more conservative with Mariota under center.
Keep it simple, take the under.
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