It seems as though the Oakland Raiders can’t handle prosperity. Clinging to a playoff spot after knocking off the Jets four weeks ago, they haven’t won since and are in danger of slipping further out of contention. As poorly as the Raiders have played in that span they are still in a better state than the Titans, who look to avoid their 11th straight home loss.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Tennessee Titans +2
Oakland Raiders -2
Over/Under 45
ODDS ANALYSIS
Oakland’s recent struggles have scared some bettors away with the line being wagered down to -1.5. But it’s the Titans that should be worried. A bad Tennessee team with a 10-game losing streak at home should be enough for the Raiders to get a cover. Tennessee has gone under the closing total in five of its last six when listed as home dogs and the total dipped to 44.
KEY INJURIES
Taiwan Jones – Is nursing a knee injury suffered in Oakland’s latest loss. The running back and kickoff returner was hurt trying to gain yards after recovering his own fumble. The Raiders promoted Jeremy Ross from the practice squad and he should be the primary return option if Jones remains out.
Rodney Harrison – Didn’t practice this week and is questionable to play Sunday after aggravating an ankle injury against the Lions last week. Tony Bergstrom would start at center in his place.
Dexter McCluster – The Titans’ versatile running back will not play due to a knee injury, meaning Antonio Andrews and rookie David Cobb could see more time in the backfield.
KEY MISMATCH
Mike Mularkey vowed to protect rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota when taking over as the Titans’ interim coach, but he simply doesn’t have five solid linemen to do it. Running back Bishop Sankey has been banished to the bench with Andrews and Cobb the preferred tandem. Minus even a mediocre ground game, Mariota is too often left to fend for himself shortly after the snap. Detroit had success last week attacking Raiders’ cornerbacks D.J. Hayden and T.J. Carrie on short passes. Tennessee needs to work to find Mariota manageable passing downs where he can get rid of the ball quickly and his receivers make plays after the catch.
KEY STAT
18.2 – Tennessee’s AFC-low points per game average. The Titans totaled just 23 in their last two games and face a Raiders defense that ranks 27th in the NFL allowing 25.9 points per game.
BETTING ANGLE
The Titans seemingly couldn’t lose when they opened Nissan Stadium in 1999 by winning 12 straight, making Nashville one of the toughest places to play in the NFL. That advantage is long gone for a franchise with only one winning season since the last playoff berth in 2008. The Titans home losing skid has reached 10 games since they last tasted victory in their own stadium on Oct. 12, 2014. Now they have two straight games to avoid inching up the NFL record books. A loss Sunday would tie Tennessee for the third-worst home slide all-time. As if ending the streak isn’t motivation enough, Mariota will be playing in front of approximately 150 people, including former teachers and alumni from his high school in Hawaii, who have tickets to see him play in person.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
It’s not often the Raiders are a road favorite, but there is a good reason for it this week. Oakland, despite its recent struggles, is a better team. Quarterback Derek Carr didn’t throw a touchdown pass last week and that bothered him. He knows the talent is there and the production starts with him. In just his second season, Carr has turned into the Raiders’ leader and he’s not about to let them go down without a fight. Look for the play makers to make plays. That means Amari Cooper gets targeted more than four times and holds onto the football. Latavius Murray finds some holes and keeps the ground game working. Defensively, the Raiders will pressure Mariota with their quickness up front and take the short passing game away. Oakland gets three weeks of frustration out of its system with an easy cover win.
Oakland 31, Tennessee 20
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