Cardinals vs. Raiders Prediction, Betting Pick, Latest NFL Preseason Odds for Thursday, August 13th
The Arizona Cardinals face the Las Vegas Raiders at 8 PM ET on Thursday, August 13, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Can Arizona use its extra preseason experience to stay competitive, or will the first extended look at No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza give the Raiders an immediate advantage? Check out this Cardinals vs. Raiders prediction and best bet for August 13.
Peter Alexis - August 13, 2026, 6:30 PM EDT
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Las Vegas enters as a three-point home favorite, with the Raiders -3 (-112), Arizona +3 (-108) and the total at 41.5. Both teams finished 3-14 last season and missed the playoffs, making quarterback development and roster evaluation major priorities this preseason.
Arizona already has a game under its belt after losing 33-30 to Carolina in the Hall of Fame Game. Rookie Carson Beck impressed by completing 15-of-19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown, but he will not get another opportunity Thursday after being ruled out with minor rib discomfort.
Cardinals vs. Raiders Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: Thursday, August 13th, 2026
- Time: 8:00 PM ET
- How to Watch: ESPN Unlimited
Cardinals vs. Raiders Odds
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Cardinals vs. Raiders Prediction
Instead, Jacoby Brissett will start and should play only one or two drives before Gardner Minshew and Kedon Slovis handle the balance of the game. Arizona is also giving most of its regular starters a brief appearance after holding them out against Carolina, including the preseason debut of first-round running back Jeremiyah Love.
Las Vegas will also use its starters, although the bigger attraction is Mendoza’s NFL debut. Kirk Cousins remains QB1, but head coach Klint Kubiak has said Mendoza will receive plenty of reps as the Raiders begin developing the first overall pick behind their veteran starter.
Mendoza carries considerably more pressure into this game than the typical backup quarterback. He is coming off a Heisman Trophy and national championship season at Indiana and represents the future of a franchise coming off three wins. His talent is unquestioned, but this will be his first opportunity to operate an NFL offense with live pressure and preseason substitutions constantly changing the personnel around him.
Preseason games remain extremely difficult to handicap because the best players may disappear after one series and third-string roster battles can decide the fourth quarter. Arizona at least enters with an entire game of live evaluation already completed, while Las Vegas is seeing its young depth pieces under game conditions for the first time.
Cardinals vs. Raiders Pick
- Pick: Cardinals +3 (-110) Check out these best odds at DraftKings Sportsbook
Beck's late absence removes one part of the original Arizona depth advantage, but getting a full field goal still offers value. Brissett and Minshew give the Cardinals experienced quarterback play around the Raiders' limited starter snaps, while Mendoza will spend a significant portion of the night adjusting to NFL game speed. Three points is useful protection in a matchup where the final three quarters should look nothing like the opening drives.
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