Vegas gets big lift from home team

Is the West the best in the NFL? After the first two weeks of the season, five of the seven remaining unbeatens reside in the AFC West and NFC West.

The Raiders are arguably the most surprising 2-0 team after traveling across the country on a short week and beating the Steelers, 26-17, on Sunday as 5 ½-point underdogs.

The victory — which followed Monday’s wild 33-27 overtime home victory over the Ravens — was one of five outright upsets and nine covers by underdogs (9-6 ATS) that helped Las Vegas sportsbooks to another winning week.

“We had a good day,” MGM Resorts director of trading Jeff Stoneback said. “The Raiders were a solid win for us. We did have some late sharp money on the Raiders, but the public was on the Steelers, and that more than offset the sharp money.”

Derek Carr threw for 382 yards and two touchdowns, including a 61-yard bomb to Henry Ruggs in the fourth quarter that put the Raiders up, 23-14.

“The Raiders might be better than we thought,” Red Rock Resort sportsbook director Chuck Esposito said. “Defensively, they played well. And with no Josh Jacobs and kind of a beatup offensive line and linebackers, they went across the country and won. That was really impressive. That was a huge statement game.”

Station Casinos won on the day but lost on the Raiders, who received a lot of support on the money line as 2-1 underdogs.

“We might begin to see a larger local bias betting them, similar to the Knights,” Esposito said.

JAGS, JETS LAG

The Broncos also improved to 2-0 straight up and ATS with a 23-13 road victory over the Jaguars (0-2, 0-2 ATS) as 6-point favorites.

Jacksonville rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 pick in April’s draft, was 14-for-33 for 118 yards, a TD and two interceptions.

Likewise, Jets rookie QB Zach Wilson, the second pick, left fans wishing the team had drafted Patriots rookie QB Mac Jones instead after Wilson threw four interceptions in a 25-6 loss to New England (-6).

“The Jets and Jaguars could be showing their true colors after Week 2,” Westgate SuperBook vice president Jay Kornegay said. “It looks like they’re going to be struggling for a while until those quarterbacks start playing better.

“As a bookmaker, we’re quickly becoming Jets and Jaguars fans. I guarantee you we’ll be rooting for those two teams next week.”