I think the Raiders are going in the right direction as a football team but it’s going to take some time before they start winning a lot of football games.  With that in mind I would have to side on the under.  But, if the Raiders can control the clock with their running game they might be able to pull out some close, low scoring games.

The Raiders have cut running backs Adimchinobe Echemandu and Louis Rankin despite both having huge preseasons.  Echemandu carried the ball 9 times for 107 yards (11.9 ypc) for the Raiders in the preseason.  Undrafted rookie RB Louis Rankin was a star for the Raiders in the preseason with 21 carries for 148 yards (7.0 ypc).  The fact that the Raiders could cut these guys tells you what they think of the three RBs that they kept.

I hate to be the bringer of bad news but I would take the under.  The Raiders offense will still have problems putting points on the scoreboard because they haven’t really improved the offensive line.  It doesn’t matter who the QB is if he is running for his life every down.  Also, WRs Jerry Porter, Ronald Curry and TE Zach Miller don’t strike fear in the hearts of opposing defenders.  The Raiders will rely on their defense again to keep games close and hope they can make a coulpe big plays on offense.  Take the under.

The over/under for the Raiders is 6 1/2.  The Raiders are 50-1 to win the Super Bowl and 35-1 to win the AFC.

The suggestion here is to take the over.  The Raiders are going to be better this season due to Art Shell, and the Chiefs and Chargers are going to be falling a bit.

On November 6th, the Raiders are going to go up to Seattle and stay close enough to cover the spread.  I’m not calling for a road victory, just a cash victory.  The Raiders are 7-2 ATS against the Seahawks as of late.  The Seahawks could be looking ahead to their showdown with the Rams the following week and be in for a battle with the Raiders.