NFL Week 3: Is Washington a Safe Pick in the Betting Lines vs. Oakland?

Carolina at Oakland Odds, Free Pick & TV Info

Written by on November 25, 2016

Easily one of the marquee matchups of the NFL’s Week 12 is from Oakland on Sunday as the Carolina, the team that finished with the best record in the league last year, faces the Raiders, a team that could finish with the best record this year. The Raiders are field goal favorites in the NFL lines.

Carolina at Oakland Odds, Free Pick & TV Info

When: Sunday, Nov. 27, 4:25 PM ET Where: Oakland Coliseum TV: CBS Radio: Carolina / Oakland Stream Option: NFL Live Opening NFL Lines: Raiders -3 (49)

Why Bet on Carolina?

The Panthers (4-6) defeated New Orleans 23-20 last Thursday night in a key NFC South matchup. Cam Newton finished 14 of 33 for 192 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown pass to Ted Ginn Jr. as the Panthers pulled even with the Saints for third place in the NFC South. But the win was costly. Pro Bowl linebacker Luke Kuechly left with a concussion and the Panthers lost two-time All-Pro center Ryan Kalil (shoulder), top pass rusher Mario Addison (foot) and cornerback Leonard Johnson (chest) to injuries. Kuechly missed three games and four weeks with a concussion last season. It would not be surprising if he missed multiple games again this year. A.J. Klein, who missed Thursday’s win against New Orleans with a concussion, will start for Kuechly if he is cleared from the protocol. Klein was a full participant in practice this week, a sign he is set to return. Kalil, Addison and Johnson are likely to sit out with Kuechly. The Panthers enter Week 12 two games behind first-place Atlanta (6-4) in the division race. Newton has 128 passing touchdowns and 47 rushing touchdowns in his career. Both marks are team records. Newton is the only player to lead a current NFL franchise in both career passing touchdowns and career rushing touchdowns. In 28 career games from Thanksgiving week through the end of the season, Newton has a record of 22- 6. He is 27-31- 1 in all other games. Newton has a completion percentage of 60.8, compared to a career percentage of 59.2. Newton has thrown 48 touchdown passes to only 12 interceptions. That’s 37.5 percent of his career TD passes and 16.9 percent of his interceptions. He has averaged 49.9 yards rushing a game compared to 39.9 for his career. He’s scored 18 rushing touchdowns, 38.3 of his total.

Why Bet on Oakland?

The Raiders, who lead the AFC West with an 8-2 record, have won four consecutive games and seven of their past eight. On Monday night, Oakland beat Houston 27-20 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr threw three touchdown passes, including the game-winning 35-yard TD with 4:43 remaining to wide receiver Amari Cooper. This season, Carr has 20 touchdown passes and only four interceptions. Carr has orchestrated four fourth-quarter/overtime comeback victories, earning wins over New Orleans, Baltimore, Tampa Bay and Houston. In the fourth quarter and overtime in 2016, Carr has thrown for 993 yards on 72-of- 107 passing (67.3 percent) with nine touchdowns and just one interception for a league-leading passer rating of 121.0. Running back Latavius Murray (ankle) was limited in practice this week. Murray averaged just 2.8 YPC playing through his ankle injury on Monday night. He’ll likely be listed as questionable again this week, but isn’t in danger of sitting out. Murray rushed 12 times for 33 yards and caught 5-of- 5 targets for 59 yards in the Raiders’ Week 11 win over the Texans. FB/RB Jamize Olawale led all receivers with 90 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown reception to level the game in the fourth. On defense, LB Malcolm Smith had a big game, tying for the team lead with 10 tackles (nine solo), one interception and a key stop on a fourth-and- 1 play late in the fourth quarter, giving the ball back to the Oakland offense. Raiders Head Coach Jack Del Rio (defensive coordinator) spent one season with the Panthers as defensive coordinator in 2002. Raiders offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave served as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator during his two seasons with Carolina (1999-2000).

Carolina at Oakland Free Pick: Oakland

Panthers are 1-6- 1 ATS in their last 8 games overall. Raiders are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall. Over is 4-0 in Raiders last 4 games overall. Take the Raiders and over the total.