NFL Week 3 Picks: Oakland Raiders vs. New England Patriots

Oakland Raiders vs. New England Patriots
Sunday, 9/21/14, 1:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: New England -13
Current Betting Line: New England -14
Opening Total: 46.5
Current Total: 46.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

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Oakland has dropped its first two games of the season, including a 30-14 setback to the Houston Texans as three-point home underdogs in Week 2, but it did win the statistical battle by 37 yards in that affair. The Raiders are going to have a hard time snapping their losing streak, considering the Patriots have won 49 of their last 52 home games with Tom Brady under center, which can’t be ignored when making your Week 3 NFL betting picks. Oakland is 1-2 SU and 2-0-1 ATS as underdogs of 10 or more points the last two-plus seasons, with the OVER going 2-1 in that situation.

The Raiders have a league-low 32 rush attempts for 126 yards, which is important to consider when looking over the NFL betting odds, especially since rookie Derek Carr is their starting quarterback. Oakland has dropped its last three meetings against New England, while it has fallen in defeat in 12 of its last 13 games overall when playing away from the O.co Coliseum.

New England has won 11 of its 12 home openers at Gillette Stadium since its first contest in 2002, while the squad has a nine game home winning streak against AFC West opponents. The Patriots own a 17-15-1 SU all-time advantage in this series, including a 2-1 postseason mark. Offensively, the team ranks just 27th in the league in averaging 303.5 yards per game, but its defense sits behind just three teams in regards to total defense. New England is 5-1 SU and 1-5 ATS as favorites of 10 or more points over the last two-plus seasons.

The Patriots haven’t been sharp in the first two weeks, which has gotten head coach Bill Belichick’s attention, as they’ve been penalized 24 times for an NFL-high 263 yards. New England may elect to run the football in this matchup, considering Oakland has given up a league-high 400 yards on the ground.