Raiders minus 7 1/2 at Jets
Rich Kotite. Bruce Coslet. Even Lou Holtz. The Jets have had some bad coaches throughout their history. Adam Gase can take his rightful place among those coaching dregs.
You want two things going for you in a handicap: Liking one side and confidently fading the other side. That’s the case for me in this matchup as I expect the Raiders to blow out the Jets.
It’s no accident the Jets are 0-11. They have the worst offense in the NFL ranking last in scoring and yards. Their defense isn’t much better rating 29th in scoring defense and 28th in total yards. The Jets have surrendered 30 or more points in seven of their games. They have lost eight of their l1 games by more than eight points.
Gase kept Ryan Tannehill from reaching his potential when the two were in Miami and now Gase’s bad magic has turned once-promising Sam Darnold into a stiff. The third-year QB has a 3-to-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio and owns the lowest passer rating in the league. Take a bow Gase.
Enough about the Jets. This is a two-way handicap as I also like the Raiders.
The line has dipped slightly because Josh Jacobs has been ruled out. I’m not worried about that. Devontae Booker is more than capable. I’d be happy to start Booker on my fantasy team this week.
The Raiders are in must-win mode. They also are looking for redemption after the Jets blew them out, 34-3, in Week 12 of last season. The Jets finished 7-9 last season. They have regressed so much they are now the worst team in the league, likely to go 0-16 with road games against the Seahawks, Rams and Patriots along with a home against the 8-3 Browns left on their schedule.
Las Vegas is better than it was last season. The Raiders are 6-5. They are off one of their worst performances of the season, a humiliating 43-6 road loss to the Falcons. But let’s not lose sight that the Raiders have defeated the Saints, Chiefs and Browns. No other team can make that claim. Those three teams are a combined 27-6.
Derek Carr has been having his finest season, more comfortable running Jon Gruden’s complicated offense. Las Vegas has scored at least 31 points in more than half of their games.
Lack of a pass rush and a vulnerable secondary are weaknesses of the Raiders. But I don’t see the Jets being able to take advantage. Las Vegas has fared well against struggling quarterbacks. Just three weeks ago, the Raiders picked off Drew Lock four times in a 37-12 waltz.
Everything looks like this game will be a similar easy win for the Raiders. I’ve often been against the Raiders. But not this time.
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