For the first time since 2002, the Oakland Raiders have a chance to be a playoff-bound team. The AFC West is going to be tight, so a few early victories against non-divisional squads could go a long way to increasing those playoff chances. The Raiders collide with the New Orleans Saints in the Bayou State on Sunday.
- The total has gone OVER in the Saints' last five games at home.
- The Raiders are 0-7 ATS in their last seven games with a closing total of 51.0 or more.
- The total has gone OVER in five of the Raiders' last seven games on the road after a loss on the road.
Oddsmakers are expecting this one to be tight, as the Saints were listed as 1-point home favorites at the time of writing. The OVER/UNDER is currently at 51.
If you’re planning on fading the Raiders based on past results, I wouldn’t blame you. Oakland has historically been awful in Week 1, going 1-12 SU in their last 13 season-Sportsbook games.
While the Raiders finished with a middle of the road 7-9 record in 2015, they were significantly better on the field. Oakland lost six games that were under a touchdown – one of the highest margins in the league.
These teams don’t collide that often, but when they do it’s all Saints. New Orleans is 7-1 ATS in the last eight matchups between the Saints and Raiders.
Look for Derek Carr, who threw for 32 touchdowns and 3,987 yards in his sophomore 2015 campaign, to have a field day against the Saints. New Orleans was in the bottom third of the NFL in points allowed per game at 29.8 in 2015.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans looking to back the visiting Oakland Raiders in this one found them as 1.5-point underdogs earlier in the week, while the total was settling in the neighborhood of 51 at shops such as Sportsbook.
Handicapping prediction models run by the computers at Odds Shark pick a 29-15 result in favor of the Saints. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NFL matchups here.
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
New Orleans bring a 7-9 record (8-7-1 ATS) to the Week 1 betting matchup against the 7-9 Oakland Raiders, who are 8-8 ATS against the spread. Over under betting has seen New Orleans go 9-6-1 so far and the Raiders go 8-6-2. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and New Orleans vs Oakland injuries news.
The New Orleans Saints sit at No. 22 in the current NFL Power Rankings here at Odds Shark, while the Oakland Raiders are at No. 19 on that chart.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the New Orleans Saints No. 6-ranked offense (25.5 PPG) against a Oakland Raiders defense that ranks No. 22 at 24.94 PPG. The Saints passing attack has averaged 311.12 yards per game, more than the Raiders give up through the air (258.75 YPG on average).
In comparing defenses, the Oakland Raiders own the league's No. 9-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 99.75 yards per game when on the road. New Orleans, on the other hand, rates No. 26 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
In their last game, the Raiders were Week 17 losers coming out on the wrong end of 23-17 score against Kansas City.
Drew Brees's 323-yard performance through the air was enough last time out, as New Orleans earned a 20-17 win over Atlanta on Sunday at Georgia Dome.
- Oakland is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
- Oakland is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
- Oakland is 5-20 SU in its last 25 games on the road
- Oakland is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games when playing New Orleans
- New Orleans is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of New Orleans's last 9 games
- New Orleans is 4-8-1 ATS in its last 13 games at home
- New Orleans is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Oakland home to Atlanta, Sunday, September 18th
New Orleans at New York, Sunday, September 18th