Raiders On 'Hard Knocks': How Teams Have Fared Against The Spread
On Monday, the Oakland Raiders announced they’ll be featured on Hard Knocks, HBO Sports’ five-episode documentary series. The announcement comes just a year before the franchise’s scheduled move to join the Vegas Golden Knights as Las Vegas’ only major sports teams. Additionally, the 2020 draft will be hosted in Las Vegas next April, not far from where ESPN has partnered with Caesars Entertainment to set up a new studio.
With many states legalizing sports betting since the Supreme Court overturned the federal ban on sports betting last May — including Tennesse, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New Jersey just to name a few — more Americans than ever will be able to legally wager on NFL games in the comfort of their own states this football season. What does that mean for bettors looking to bet on or against this year’s featured Hard Knocks team? Do the lights and cameras create any value on Hard Knocks teams come September? Let’s take a look.
How have Hard Knocks teams done against the spread?
2018 Cleveland Browns 7-8-1 (10-6 ATS),
2017 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5-11 (6-9-1 ATS)
2016 Los Angeles Rams 4-12 (4-11-1 ATS)
2015 Houston Texans 9-8 (9-8 ATS)
2014 Atlanta Falcons 6-10 (7-9 ATS)
2013 Cincinnati Bengals 11-6 (10-6-1 ATS)
2012 Miami Dolphins 7-9 (7-8-1 ATS)
2010 New York Jets 13-6 (11-8 ATS)
2009 Cincinnati Bengals 10-7 (7-10 ATS)
2008 Dallas Cowboys 9-7 (7-9 ATS)
2007 Kansas City Chiefs 4-12 (7-8-1 ATS)
2002 Dallas Cowboys 5-11 (8-8 ATS)
2001 Baltimore Ravens 11-7 (9-8-1 ATS)
There doesn’t appear to be a major trend here. Overall, Hard Knocks teams are 102-108-6 ATS.
Season win totals?
2018 Cleveland Browns Over 6 Wins (+100)
2017 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Under 8.5 Wins (+100)
2016 Los Angeles Rams Under 7.5 Wins (-200)
2015 Houston Texans Over 8.5 Wins (+100)
2014 Atlanta Falcons Under 8.5 Wins (+155)
2013 Cincinnati Bengals Over 8.5 Wins (-170)
2012 Miami Dolphins Push 7 Wins
2010 New York Jets Over 9.5 Wins (+100)
2009 Cincinnati Bengals Over 7 Wins (-130)
2008 Dallas Cowboys Under 10.5 Wins (-110)
2007 Kansas City Chiefs Under 7.5 Wins (+100)
2002 Dallas Cowboys Under 6 Wins (-110)
2001 Baltimore Ravens Push 6 Wins
The Over/Under went 5-6-2 for teams featured on Hard Knocks.
The Oakland Raiders win total is currently set at 6.5 and they’re 2.5-point home favorites against the Denver Broncos in Week 1 at FanDuel Sportsbook.
With Antonio Brown, Jon Gruden and Mark Davis, this season of Hard Knocks will certainly be entertaining, but there’s little to take away in terms of trends from a betting perspective.