The Los Angeles Rams have added a star receiver to the fold, and Sammy Watkins is expected to see his first action with his new team in Week 2 of the preseason against the Oakland Raiders. The Rams may want to get Watkins and starting quarterback Jared Goff on the same page, which could keep them on the field together for a handful of snaps.
The longer the starters play, the better the Rams’ chance at victory. The Raiders don’t have as much to prove and that was evident last week when they kept quarterback Derek Carr, running back Marshawn Lynch, pass-rusher Khalil Mack and wide receiver Amari Cooper on the bench in a 20-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Oakland has a much more talented roster but if Los Angeles takes this game more seriously it may be able to pick up a road victory.
This game in Week 2 of the preseason contest will go down Saturday, August 19, 2017, at 10 p.m. ET at Oakland Alameda Coliseum in Oakland, California.
Opening NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Los Angeles Rams +3
Oakland Raiders -3
Over/Under 39.5
Odds Analysis
This line is pretty standard. The Raiders are at home and so they are given three points, but there isn’t any other movement otherwise. Both teams are expected to play their starters for a while but not too long. It is hard to know how the backups will do, and thus the line is staying safe.
Quarterback Rotation
Goff needs as much work as possible, so he may stay in the game longer than Carr. Goff went 3-for-4 for 34 yards in a 13-10 win over the Cowboys to begin the preseason and will aim to build on those numbers in this one.
Sean Mannion is the backup and he should see a lot of snaps. Mannion was 18-of-25 for 144 yards against Dallas but hopes to throw a touchdown pass or two in this one. Dan Orlovsky went 1-for-2 for three yards after joining the Rams and could play more against the Raiders.
Carr should play some against the Rams, which will be his first time on the field since breaking his leg last season, which ended the Raiders’ chances at making a playoff run. It will be interesting to see if Carr is rusty or if he hits the ground running.
E.J. Manuel played pretty well against the Cardinals, finishing 10-of-12 for 107 yards. If he puts up similar numbers it could help the Raiders to victory. Connor Cook will be the third quarterback in the game for Oakland. He went 10-of-21 for 82 yards in Arizona.
The Raiders have more talent in the quarterbacks room, which is why the team is a slight favorite.
Coaching History
Oakland’s Jack Del Rio has a career record of 23-22 in the preseason, including this season’s 0-1 record. He has gone 1-3 in each of his first two preseasons coaching the Raiders, and that lack of success is something to remember when it comes to wagering on this contest.
The Rams’ Sean McVay is a first-time head coach, so the opening win was his first foray into preseason work. Since he is still looking to prove himself, that may be a good thing in terms of the team’s competitiveness in this contest.
Free ATS Pick
The Rams are not going to be very good in the regular season, but the preseason is a different time. If Goff and Watkins play for a couple series together, that could be enough to get the team a touchdown.
That would be a huge benefit in Los Angeles’ quest to win a second straight exhibition contest. The Raiders are poised to push for a top seed in the AFC this year and don’t care much about the preseason. Choose Los Angeles to pull the upset on the road.
NFL Odds: Rams 21, Raiders 20
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