The Raiders come in to MetLife Stadium this weekend off a 49-20 home loss to the Eagles in which their defense allowed seven touchdown passes to Nick Foles. So is there any way you can back them on the road against Eli Manning and the two-wins-in-a-row Giants?
The answer here is yes, for the same major reason the Jets were able to upset the Saints on the heels of a 49-9 loss in Cincinnati. Pride is a big motivator, and teams are always eager to quickly counter an embarrassing result. Similar to the Jets, who are 4-0 after losses, the Raiders are 3-1. Also, the Raiders lost to some of the top teams in the league this season (Colts, Broncos, Chiefs).
Even last week, some of the math was kind of funny. The Raiders kept the ball for 38 minutes and outgained the Eagles 560-542. If those numbers don’t add up to a 29-point loss, then how about these: a 2-6 team being favored by a touchdown vs. a 3-5?
The pick: Raiders -7.
TITANS (-12) over Jaguars: Justin Blackmon is gone again from the 0-8 Jaguars lineup. They can’t be looking forward to going up against a lunch-pail, physical team such as the Titans.
PACKERS (-1) over Eagles: Aaron Rodgers is out, but Eddie Lacy will be able to get some things going against the Eagles’ D. Seneca Wallace, with some of the rust off, should be able to make some plays off of Lacy’s success.
STEELERS (-3) over Bills: Another pride game, this time for the Steelers after they gave up 55 points in Foxborough. Spread’s real cheap, even with EJ Manuel expected back at QB for the Bills.
Rams (+9¹/₂) over COLTS: Indy’s last three wins have been by 6, 6 and 3, so a little hesitant to get so close to double digits. Zac Stacy has 134 and 127 yards the last two games, and Kellen Clemens should be more comfortable in his third start.
FALCONS (+5¹/₂) over Seahawks: Seattle has been living on the edge with last second wins over the Rams and Bucs. With Roddy White possibly returning, it’s time for the Falcons to bag their third win.
Bengals (-1) over RAVENS: Our Trend of the Year (teams playing the next week on extra rest after a Thursday night game are 10-4 against the spread) will be put to the test here. It will be tough for the Bengals to replace top defensive lineman Geno Adkins on a D already missing Rey Maualuga. But when you play the trend, you play the trend.
Lions (+1) over BEARS: Lions won the first meeting in Detroit 40-32, but that game was 40-16 with four minutes to go. This one should be close, but Lions just seem to have better players in more places than the Bears.
49ERS (-6 ) over Panthers: Props to Carolina for the four-game winning streak, but have to give anything under a touchdown with the 49ers at home. They have won five in a row and scored 30+ in each.
Texans (+2¹/₂) over CARDINALS: Have to love the way Case Keenum can sling the ball downfield. Time for his first win, as the Texans finally end their six-game losing streak.
Broncos (-7) over CHARGERS: Redux of one of 2012’s most incredible games. Chargers had a 24-0 lead over the Broncos at Qualcomm before Peyton Manning hung up the final 35 points. Denver also has the emotional impetus after John Fox’s heart surgery.
Cowboys (+6¹/₂) over SAINTS: Lot of people expect a Saints blowout response to their loss to the Jets, but the Cowboys’ four defeats have been by 1, 3, 9 and 1. Boys would get a lift if DeMarcus Ware returns.
MONDAY NIGHT
Dolphins (-2¹/₂) over BUCCANEERS: Dolphins are our other Thursday Trend team, so we stick with them through the distractions of the Incognito scandal. If they are getting mad, it could be a good thing for this pick,
BEST BETS: Titans, Texans, Steelers.
LOCK OF THE WEEK: (Locks 3-6)
LAST WEEK: 7-6 overall, 1-2 Best Bets
THURSDAY NIGHT: Redskins