And the winner gets...a trip to lovely Los Angeles. With owners of both clubs eyeing a move to the second largest media market in the country, this could be the battle for LA.
For the first time in several years the Raiders made some moves that made sense and are looking for their first winning season since a Super Bowl appearance in 2002. They’re on the way, but not there yet.
ODDS
Flip a coin for this one because it’s a toss-up. Depth is an issue for both teams and this comes down to a battle between the third and fourth stringers. Oakland gets the home field edge as well. The total opened at 36.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
New Rams quarterback Nick Foles is expected to start along with the first unit and play a couple of series, according to head coach Jeff Fisher. Case Keenum comes over from Houston to serve as the primary backup while holdover Austin Davis is still in the mix. The Rams are high on rookie Shawn Mannion out of Oregon State and he’ll likely get some snaps. As he’s done in the past, Fisher has kept his plans a secret.
Derek Carr is Oakland’s starter and will see first-team reps for a few series. There is competition for the backup job between Christian Ponder and Matt McGloin, who has thrown 230 regular season passes for the Raiders over the last two years. Ponder, a former first-round pick who played for new Raiders offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave in Minnesota, was signed to backup Carr.
COACHES' MOTIVATION
Coming off three seasons with a combined 11 wins, Jack Del Rio’s top priority is to instill a winning culture in Oakland. And that means winning preseason games. Del Rio puts a lot of stock into the exhibition games, believing there is some carry over, and with a young roster loaded with talent, winning can go a long way. He posted an impressive 21-15 record in the preseason during his tenure as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. As if he needs more motivation, Del Rio is enjoying a homecoming of sorts. He grew up in nearby Hayward, Calif. and attended high school there before moving on to USC.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“I wouldn’t worry too much right now about where guys are repping in the rotation of things. We signed Christian to be our backup, but were not handing out jobs. Jobs have to be earned. There’ll be competition, but we feel good about the group we have.” – Raiders coach Jack Del Rio on the competition between Christian Ponder and Matt McGloin for the backup QB job.
POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH
The Rams have a battle going on at the center position between Barrett Jones, Tim Barnes and Demetrius Rhaney. Barnes, in his fifth NFL training camp, is the safe choice. He’s made four starts – which is four more than anybody else competing for the job. Jones is the slight favorite early in camp and is listed at the top of the depth chart and likely gets first-team snaps, though the rotation will vary in the preseason. Coaches have been quiet about playing time for the three which could lead to some wild exchanges during the game.
INJURIES
Raiders receiver Rod Streater is out with an undisclosed illness, giving valuable playing time to other players. Streater is the No. 3 receiver behind Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper and would be used in a three-receiver set, which the Raiders are likely to employ now that they have the weapons to do so.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Raiders are moving in the right direction, finally. They have a new head coach with success at the NFL level, a group of exciting, young play makers on both sides of the ball and a history over the last decade that is ready to be just that – history. But Rome wasn’t built in a day and the AFC is a loaded conference, so don’t expect a playoff appearance this season. A few wins would be nice and the Raider Nation would gladly take a preseason victory at this stage.
Oakland 17, St. Louis 14
BookMaker opened the spread for this Friday game as a pick em. The NFL betting lines total surfaced at 36. Minute-by-minute spreads, totals and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! The game between the St. Louis Rams and Oakland Raiders is slated for Friday, August 14, 2015, at 10 p.m. ET at the O.co Coliseum.
