Oakland Raiders vs. Green Bay Packers
Friday, 8/22/14, 8:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Green Bay -7
Current Betting Line: Green Bay -7
Opening Total: 43
Current Total: 44
Odds Courtesy of 5Dimes
Oakland picked up a 27-26 victory over the Detroit Lions as three-point home favorites last week, while going OVER the betting total of 40. Raiders quarterback Matt Schaub hasn’t looked good in the first two preseason games, which is important to consider when making your NFL predictions, as he looks to build confidence with the regular season opener fast approaching. On the other side of the ball, the team has done little to stop opposing quarterbacks thus far, which has a lot to do with rookie linebacker Khalil Mack’s struggles to create plays.
The Raiders have a couple of key contributors that have played with the Packers in the past, with both wide receiver James Jones and cornerback Charles Woodson looking forward to this matchup at Lambeau Field. Oakland defensive coordinator Jason Tarver expects Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers to supply a good test for his unit, especially since the secondary has struggled throughout exhibition play.
Green Bay will play at home for the first time during the 2014 preseason, as it has split a pair of road games against the Tennessee Titans and St. Louis Rams, while each affair went UNDER the betting total. The Packers have lost two consecutive exhibition games against the Raiders, but they’ve reeled off six straight victories in this series when playing in the regular season. Rodgers made his debut versus the Rams—completing 11 of 13 passes with a touchdown and a passer rating of 133.3.
The Packers have made the postseason each of the last five seasons, which can’t be ignored when looking over the NFL betting lines—joining the New England Patriots as the only other team in the league to accomplish that feat from 2009-13. Green Bay has been very impressed with rookies Jeff Janis and Jayrone Elliott in training camp, which will allow them to receive more playing time in this contest. Rodgers was impressed by Janis’ 4.42-second 40-yard dash speed in catching a short crossing route and scoring from 34 yards out last week.
Sports bettors will likely back the Packers due to the Raiders being 1-4 ATS as underdogs of four or more points under head coach Dennis Allen in preseason play.
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