The two teams I was most high on before the season started will go up against one another this week. One has lived up to expectations, while another has struggled. The Oakland Raiders currently hold first in the AFC West and will travel to Jacksonville to take on the third place team in the AFC South, the Jaguars. The Raiders suffered a home loss last week to the Kansas City Chiefs following several victories. The Jaguars meanwhile are on a two game win streak, after defeating the Bears in Chicago a week ago.
The Raiders may be one of the most entertaining teams in the NFL. Jack Del Rio brings a no nonsense attitude, and is willing to make some ballsy calls. Derek Carr is fun to watch, while Amari Cooper is one of the best wide receivers in the league. Michael Crabtree is having himself a nice season, and the team has multiple running backs capable of making plays. Their defense is not the greatest, but they are underrated. As a whole, the club can be inconsistent, as they will throw up some serious duds. But when they are right, they are scary good.
The Jaguars were seriously hard to watch at the start of the season. They won their game in London a few weeks ago, but it was a game that they almost blew. After a bye, the team went into Chicago and beat the Bears. But only by a point. So despite all the talent the club has, especially on offense, things simply are not clicking the way they should be. Considering how disappointed I have been in this club, I am not laying any amount of points. Yes, even if it is only one point.
I like the Raiders and have not been impressed with Jacksonville. So despite being on the road, the Raiders and Del Rio find a way to pull this one out. It may not be pretty, but they are the better club. Raiders come out on top in a high scoring affair.
For all week seven NFL Spreads and Over/Under’s, check out our NFL week 7 Betting Odds master-sheet here.
Line: Jaguars -1, O/U: 49
Pick: Raiders and the over
Result: Oak 33 – Jax 16, Raiders and a push