New York Jets (0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS) vs. Oakland Raiders (1-0 SU, 0-1 ATS)
Week 2 NFL
Date/Time: Sunday, September 17, 2017 at 4:05PM EST
Where: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California
TV: CBS
By Loot, NFL Football Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
Point Spread: NYJ +13.5/OAK -13.5
Over/Under Total: 43.5
The New York Jets make the trip out to the Bay Area on Sunday to face the Oakland Raiders in week 2 AFC action. The Jets were thought to be one of the worst teams in the conference this season, if not the worst. Their week one 21-12 loss to Buffalo did little to change that. And having to open their season with two tough road games isn't ideal, either. This week, it gets really tough against a Raiders team that went into Nashville on Sunday and took care of business against the Titans, 26-16. They have their sights set on big things this season and it's going to take a big Jets effort to thwart them in their home-opener.
Oakland had a battle on their hands with a rising Tennessee bunch on Sunday. The game was nip-and-tuck for three quarters. The Raiders then once again flaunted one of their main team assets and that's their ability to come up with big plays late in close games. Time and again, they get separation from opponents late as they execute plays on both sides of the ball. There is a lot to be said about that knack, both as a football team looking to be successful, but also as a betting proposition. Excelling in late-stage football games is worth its weight in gold.
We saw some pretty good things from the Oakland offense in week one, including the healthy return of QB David Carr, who threw for 262 yards and a pair of TD strikes. Marshawn Lynch looked like his legs are lively in the backfield and you have to think he'll be fired-up returning to his hometown for the season-opener. We saw a bulked-up Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree still a great 1-2 punch at receiver. The addition of TE Jared Cook looks like it's going to pay off big. Seth Roberts continued his clutch receiving with another TD catch on Sunday. And first-year Raider Cordarrelle Patterson showed flashes of what's to come in the improved Oakland return game. The improved Oakland line helped the cause in opening holes for the run and keeping Carr out of too much trouble.
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The Oakland defense is one of those units where it's hard to judge them based on stats. The bottom-line always seems to be better than what the stats would suggest. When things are at their most-critical, the Raiders "D" delivers more often than not. That was in evidence on Sunday, when a close game broke open a bit late, as the defense had Tennessee struggling for headway. Twice inside the ten, the Titans had to settle for field goals. The secondary looks good with corners David Amerson and Sean Smith, along with safeties Reggie Nelson and Karl Joseph. The middle has some juice with Bruce Irvin and up-front, they are a handful, led by Khalil Mack, who has become maybe the most disruptive defensive force in the conference.
Losing 21-12 to Buffalo on the road was bad, but maybe we shouldn't be so hard on the Jets. They have really seen their stock drop in the past two years. They have no real answers for several key spots on both sides of the ball. And injuries have sapped a team that couldn't really afford those types of personnel setbacks. It's only week one and already, the injury list is a long one, depriving the Jets of a chance to rise above the fog.
Jets' QB Josh McCown isn't a bad player. He can put up yards, but a 2-21 record in his last 23 starts is a damning indictment, despite how bad the teams he played on were. Injuries and departures have drained them of their offensive firepower. The run-game is led by Matt Forte and Bilal Powell and generally looks tired and worn-out. The line is thrown-together and definitely not a top-flight unit. The WR corps is pretty dry with Jermaine Kearse, Robbie Anderson, and ArDarius Stewart leading the way. Stewart and Anderson combined for 32 yards on Sunday. It's just not a good group and on a lot of teams, the Jets first-string offense would be riding pine.
With Todd Bowles in charge, the defense will have to be the strength of the team, but again, a lack of talent plagues their efforts. There are some good pieces on the "D, but a lot of iffy areas around them exist. In the middle, Demario Davis and Darron Lee had good games. Muhammad Wilkerson is a player up-front and more growth from Leonard Williams would help. But all told, they didn't look great in week one against a Buffalo team that has issues-galore on that side of the ball. The answers might be harder to come by this week.
Oakland approaches games like this with an edge. Jack Del Rio makes sure the team is mentally ready even against teams who don't command a ton of respect. Again, Lynch is back in his Oakland stomping grounds and might have some extra pep. Oakland is just a very positive football machine right now, while the Jets are mired in a funk. Still, 13.5 is a lot of points. It's just that on this particular week, we see it happening for Oakland in a lopsided win.
Loot's Prediction to Cover the Point Spread: I'm betting on the Oakland Raiders minus 13.5 points. Tired of your credit card not working for sportsbook deposit? End that problem today and bet the Jets vs. Raiders game from home by signing up at Bovada Sportsbook where your credit card WILL work and where you'll receive a generous 100% sign-up bonus!
