Even though it’s only Week 3 the Oakland Raiders have already set a new record in the league. It’s not too often that the online NFL betting community gets to talk about a Raider record, but Oakland fans shouldn’t get their hopes up. So far this season the Oakland Raiders have given up a total of 1,035 yards – that’s more than the length of 10 football fields. To say that record is remarkable would be an understatement, but even more impressive is that the Raiders have managed to win a game despite giving up that much yardage. Ken Norton Jr., Oakland’s defensive coordinator, has already publicly accepted responsibility for the Raiders poor defensive showing. Norton will do his best to get this defense on the right track for the Raider’s Week 3 opponent, the Tennessee Titans. What kind of chances are most football betting sites giving these record-breaking Raiders against Tennessee?
Week 3 – Sunday the 25th of September
Raiders +2 (-110) 47 (-110) +110
Titans -2 (-110) 47 (-110) -130
Thanks to the Raiders defensive efforts, the Tennessee Titans are coming into this matchup pegged as the favorites. However, the margin is not substantial and the 2 point spread is predicting an extremely close matchup. This might be because of the Titans offense is only averaging 16 points per contests, which ranks 28th in the league. The Raiders defense may be dead last in total yards, and passing yards allowed per contest – as well as next to last in points allowed per game with 34.5 – but surprisingly enough Oakland’s offense ranks near the top of the league. Coming into this game the Raiders are third in the league for points per game (31.5), 1st in total yards gained per game (470), and 2nd in yards gained per game on the ground (161). The Titans’ offense isn’t nearly as good but since the Raiders defense is so terrible, Sunday’s game should prove difficult to predict, despite what online NFL betting critics say.
Coming into this game it’s evident that two factors will determine the outcome: turnovers, and the play at quarterback. How well Derek Carr or Marcus Mariota play on Sunday might be determined by the opposing defenses however. Of the two Derek Carr has had the better season. In two weeks Carr has thrown for 618 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Mariota has only thrown for 509 yards, 4 touchdowns, and even has 2 interceptions to his name. Mariota has thrown an interception in every game so far this season. Meanwhile, Oakland’s quarterback still hasn’t thrown a pick. Behind Carr’s leadership, the Oakland Raiders have yet to turn the ball over on offense. No fumbles, No picks, nothing. They may have only forced two turnovers this season, but the Raiders ability to hang onto the ball is uncanny. The Titans on the other hand, are coming into this game with 4 turnovers under their belt. The online NFL betting odds are predicting a close one, and whoever manages to hang onto the ball better will end up winning on Sunday.
