Washington Commanders vs Las Vegas Raiders Picks and Predictions September 21st 2025

Washington Commanders vs Las Vegas Raiders September 21st 2025

The Las Vegas Raiders are set to visit the Washington Commanders for a Week 3 game in the 2025 NFL season. The game will take place at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD, with a scheduled start time of 1:00 PM. Fans can catch the action on FOX as the two teams face off under overcast skies with a mild breeze.

Both teams enter the game with a 1-1 record. The Raiders have shown strength on the road with a 1-0 away record, while the Commanders are unbeaten at home with a 1-0 record. Historically, the Commanders have had the upper hand in recent meetings, winning the last three games against the Raiders. This game will test the strategies of coaches Pete Carroll and Dan Quinn as they aim to improve their teams’ standings.

Raiders vs Commanders Key Information

• Sport: Football
• Teams: Las Vegas Raiders vs. Washington Commanders
• Venue: Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD USA
• Date: Sunday, September 21, 2025
• Betting Odds: Raiders Moneyline +154, Commanders Moneyline -184, Raiders Spread +3.5 (-113), Commanders Spread -3.5 (-107), Total Over/Under 44.5 (-110)

The Raiders Can Win If…

The Las Vegas Raiders are looking to bounce back after their recent 20-9 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Despite the loss, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers showed consistency with 68 receiving yards. Defensive tackle Jonah Laulu was a bright spot on defense, recording two sacks against the Chargers.

Geno Smith, the Raiders’ quarterback, is ranked first in the league with 542 passing yards over the first two games. The Raiders’ passing offense is strong, ranking 13th last season with 3,797 yards. This gives them a significant edge in the air against teams that struggle with pass defense.

The Raiders’ defense is also a factor, with a solid ranking of 11th in sacks last season. This ability to pressure the quarterback can disrupt opposing offenses. With key players like Germaine Pratt and Jeremy Chinn leading the defense, the Raiders have the tools to win their upcoming game.

The Commanders Can Win If…

The Washington Commanders are looking to bounce back after their recent loss to the Green Bay Packers, where they fell 27-18. Quarterback Jayden Daniels had a solid performance with 200 passing yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Zach Ertz and wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. each caught a touchdown, showing their ability to make plays in the passing game.

Washington’s offense has shown potential, ranking 5th in scoring last season with 485 points. They also excel in rushing, ranking 3rd with 2,619 yards. This strong ground game, combined with a 6th-ranked third-down conversion rate, makes them a tough team to stop.

The Commanders’ defense is also a key factor in their ability to win games. Last season, they ranked 7th in sacks with 43, putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. With players like Dorance Armstrong leading the charge, their defense can disrupt the Raiders’ offense and create opportunities for their own team to capitalize on.

Latest Betting Trends

• Washington has covered the spread in four of its last six home games.
• The Raiders have gone under the total in five of their past seven contests.
• The Commanders are 3-1 ATS in their last four games following a loss.
• Las Vegas has struggled on the road recently, posting a 1-4 record in its last five away games.
• Head-to-head, the underdog has covered in three of the last four meetings.

The Lean

The Washington Commanders are favored by 3.5 points against the Las Vegas Raiders. Given the Commanders’ strong record as favorites, going 11-0 against the spread in recent games, the pick is for the Commanders to cover the spread. The model projects the Commanders to win 27-20, which supports the spread line of -3.5.

The total for the game is set at 44.5. The Commanders have been involved in high-scoring games at home, with a 5-1 record on the over in their last six home games. The projected total score from the model is 47, suggesting the over is the recommended pick for this game.

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Quarterback Uncertainty in Washington

The Washington Commanders face a pivotal question heading into their Week 3 matchup: will rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels be available? Daniels suffered a knee sprain in last week’s 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers and missed Wednesday’s practice, though he did take part in rehab work and some throwing. Head coach Dan Quinn emphasized caution, saying the staff will prioritize Daniels’ long-term health over rushing him back.

If Daniels cannot play, the Commanders will turn to veteran Marcus Mariota. Mariota has proven capable in relief duty, notably leading Washington to a 40-7 victory over Carolina last season after Daniels exited. His familiarity with the Raiders, having spent time with the organization in 2020-21, adds another layer to this storyline. Still, Las Vegas head coach Pete Carroll noted that his team is preparing primarily for Daniels.

Stay updated on all NFL previews and quarterback developments across the league.

Commanders Dealing With Key Injuries

Washington’s injury concerns extend beyond Daniels. Running back Austin Ekeler and defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. were both lost for the season in the Green Bay game. Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who impressed during the preseason, is expected to step in as the starter. To fill Wise’s void on defense, Washington signed veteran pass rusher Preston Smith, who began his career with the franchise and has 70.5 career sacks.

The Commanders also placed cornerback Jonathan Jones on injured reserve, further thinning their secondary. Wide receiver Noah Brown, tight end John Bates, and several others were limited in practice as Washington tries to get healthier.

For the latest updates on injuries and roster moves, visit NFL team pages and NFL game results

Raiders Searching for Offensive Rhythm

The Raiders enter this matchup following a 20-9 loss to the Chargers and rank second-to-last in the league in scoring at just 14.5 points per game. Quarterback Geno Smith threw three interceptions against Los Angeles, while running back Ashton Jeanty has struggled to gain traction on the ground, averaging only 2.7 yards per carry.

Tight end Brock Bowers continues to emerge as a key weapon after recording five catches on eight targets last week. Carroll indicated the Raiders want to feature him more consistently, recognizing his importance to the offensive attack.

Check out NFL picks and odds updates to track how the betting markets view Las Vegas’ struggling offense.

Defensive Battle Brewing

One of the most compelling matchups will be Washington’s offensive line against Las Vegas’ pass rush. Daniels has been sacked seven times through two games, and the Raiders’ front led by Maxx Crosby has six sacks already this season. The addition of Preston Smith could help Washington counter with pressure of their own, setting the stage for a defensive battle.

Learn more with the expert NFL betting guide for analysis on how defenses impact betting lines.

Rest Advantage for Washington

The Commanders may benefit from extra rest, having last played on Thursday night, while the Raiders are traveling cross-country on a short week following their Monday night contest. Scheduling quirks like this can often play a role in performance.

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