Just when we’re ready to heap all kinds of praise on the Oakland Raiders as they fight to stay at the top of the AFC West and put together their first winning season in over a decade, they play one of their worst games this season, crumbling all the good feelings that have built up over the organization. The Raiders had a chance to gain control of the division but dropped a pivotal battle to Kansas City. They must start the building process over and it won’t be easy on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 7.
This contest in Week 7 of the regular season will go down Sunday, October 23, 2016, at 1 p.m. ET at EverBank Field.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Oakland Raiders +1
Jacksonville Jaguars -1
Over/Under 49.5
Odds Analysis
It’s not often the Jaguars are a favorite, in fact this is the first game this season they will be laying points if the spread holds by kickoff. And it’s a bit odd considering the Raiders are co-leaders in the AFC West and unbeaten SU and ATS on the road. Because of that, Oakland has been getting plenty of action with over 80 percent of the early wagers coming in for the visitors. It’s hard to trust either team given their recent history and the line could easily see some movement before Sunday.
Injury Report
Jalen Richard – Was rocked by a vicious hit from Derrick Johnson in Sunday’s game and left with a possible concussion. Richard had filled in for the injured Latavius Murray and is the Raiders second leading rusher. He is also the primary kickoff return man and had a season-long 50 yard return against the Chiefs that set up the only touchdown. His versatility would be missed if he enters the protocol.
Matchup to Watch
Jacksonville rookie Jalen Ramsey is getting on the job training and so far he’s done a nice job. Ramsey has played well all season while drawing the assignment of guarding the opposing team’s top receiver in one-on-one coverage most games. Sunday was no exception and probably his toughest assignment all season. Ramsey was given the task of defending Chicago’s Alshon Jeffery, who had a significant size advantage over the 6-foot cornerback. Chicago used that to their advantage in the first half, completing six passes to the receiver for 90 yards. Ramsey had trouble containing Jeffery at the line of scrimmage, but used the halftime break to make adjustments in his coverage technique.
The changes worked as Ramsey and the Jags shut down the Bears in the second half to register a come-from-behind victory. Ramsey limited Jeffery to just one catch on six targets over the final two quarters and he supplied the biggest play of the game by knocking away a fourth-down pass that sealed the 17-16 victory. Ramsey will be tested again by Oakland’s Amari Cooper, who has the fourth-most receiving yards in the NFL and leads the league in third-down receptions.
Free ATS Pick
All the Jags needed to do was win a few games to get the monkey off their back. Well, they’ve won consecutive games and are back in the hunt in the weak AFC South. They may have had the breakthrough game last Sunday, coming back from a 13-point fourth quarter deficit to pull out a win over the Bears. Blake Bortles looked like the franchise quarterback and instead of crumbling in the waning moments, the Jags actually made some plays to earn the victory. It was the Bears, so don’t read too much into it, but it’s a win this team hasn’t been able to get in the past.
The Raiders had a chance to take over sole possession of the AFC West and faltered at home when their vaunted offense was stymied by the Chiefs. As much pub as Derek Carr and the unit gets, they were shut down by a defense that had struggled. Oakland is 3-0 both SU and ATS on the road this season, but there have been some lucky breaks. The defense is still the weakest in the NFL and the Jags will take advantage with a big game from Bortles to cover the small spread.
NFL Odds: Jaguars 27, Raiders 24
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