The Raiders cling to slim playoff hopes while the Rams are just trying to avoid posting the worst record ever for a defending Super Bowl champion, heading into this week’s edition of Thursday night NFL betting action.
Las Vegas owns a three-game winning streak, while Los Angeles owns a six-game losing skid. Thus, the Raiders are favored by a touchdown.
How are we playing this game with our free TNF pick?
NFL Betting Lines
The Week 14 NFL betting odds opened the Raiders at -5.5 for Thursday night, with an over/under of right around 44. Early betting action then bumped Las Vegas to -6.
Raiders-Rams NFL Betting Preview
Las Vegas rides a three-game winning streak into Thursday after beating the Chargers at home last Sunday 27-20. The Raiders spotted Los Angeles the first 10 points of the game but only trailed 13-10 at the half. Vegas then scored two touchdowns in the first four minutes of the second half to take the lead for good on its way to the victory.
The Raiders out-gained the Chargers 404-386, out-rushed Los Angeles 154-72, and recorded five sacks. So Las Vegas has now out-gained and out-rushed each of its last three opponents.
Two weeks ago, the Raiders ran the ball 40 times for 283 yards and beat Seattle in overtime 40-34. Three weeks ago, they rallied from a 10-0 deficit to beat Denver 22-16 also in overtime.
At 5-7 overall, Las Vegas trails the 7-5 Jets by two games in the battle for the No 7 spot in the AFC playoff standings, with five games to play. The Raiders ain’t dead yet, but they are on life support.
The Rams, meanwhile, lug a six-game losing skid into Thursday after falling at home to the Seahawks last Sunday 27-23. Los Angeles, playing as a seven-point dog without starting quarterback Stafford, scored the first seven points of the game and only trailed 14-13 at the half. The Rams later took a 23-20 lead with just under three minutes left but allowed Seattle to drive 75 yards to a game-deciding touchdown.
They did, however, hang on for the cover.
Los Angeles got out-gained by the Seahawks 438-319 but won the ground battle 171-90. And in the NFL, teams that win the ground battles cover the spread about 65 percent of the time.
The Rams have now been out-gained by five of their last six opponents.
Two weeks ago, Los Angeles managed just 82 passing yards, lost at Kansas City 26-10, and came up short ATS at +15.5. That score should have been worse, considering the Chiefs settled for field goals three times after reaching the Rams’ 10-yard line. And three weeks ago, LA lost to New Orleans, which ain’t a great team, 27-20.
At 3-9 overall and now down several key players due to injury, the Rams are just playing out the string on a very lost season.
These two teams have played four common opponents so far this season; the Cardinals, Seahawks, Chiefs, and Saints. Las Vegas played those foes to 2-2 both SU and ATS and -15 yards per game, Los Angeles to 1-4 SU, 3-2 ATS, and -83 YPG.
Raiders-Rams Recent History
These two teams, who once shared a stadium, don’t meet too often, just 14 times before, the Raiders winning eight. Most recently, four seasons ago, the Rams rolled the Raiders in Oakland 33-13. Jared Goff threw two touchdown passes that day for LA, while Derek Carr threw three interceptions for the Raiders.
- Get more details: Raiders vs. Rams Week 14 Betting Stats
NFL Betting Trends
- Through Week 13, home teams are 105-82 SU and 99-87 ATS in the NFL this season.
- Through Week 13, favorites are 122-70 SU and 86-104 ATS in the NFL this season.
- Through Week 13, home dogs are 37-39 SU and 46-30 ATS in the NFL this season.
Totals Report
- The Totals are split 6-6 in Raiders games this season, which are averaging 49 total points.
- The Unders are 7-5 in Rams games this season which are averaging 40 points.
- Through Week 13, the Unders are 111-82 in the NFL this season.
