Deposit Instantly Using Your Credit Card at Sportsbook.com!

Atlanta Falcons at Oakland Raiders NFL Picks & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

The Atlanta Falcons hope they can take their home show on the road when they take on the Oakland Raiders this Sunday. Odds makers like the Falcons to do just that. The odds makers have listed Atlanta as 3-point favorites with the total set at 41.

Despite a first-year head coach and a rookie QB leading the team, the 4-3 Falcons are alread one win away from surpassing their total from last season. Atlanta’s success has them in contention in the NFC South at just one-and-a-half games behind Carolina.

QB Matt Ryan has already exceeded expectations in his rookie campaign, throwing for 1,441 yards and seven touchdowns. A strong running attack has helped his productivity. That running attack is led by Michael Turner who ranks third in the NFL with 655 rushing yards and six scores.

The Falcons’ string running attack has not been as sharp recently though. Turner has failed to score in the last two games while the team has failed to break the 100-yard mark on the ground after averaging 180.6 yards rushing per games through the first five.

The running attack should come back to life this week against one of the worst run defenses in football.

The Falcons should probably more concerned about their defense this week however. They gave up a season high 432 yards of total offense to the Eagles in last Sunday’s 27-14 defeat. It was the third time in four games that the Falcons had allowed more than 400 yards. This is not a pattern they want to see continuing.

Atlanta will have the luxury of facing a defense that has been even worse this season. The Raiders are allowing 377.3 yards per game and rank 26th in the NFL in rushing defense, allowing 144.1 yards per contest.

Oakland was pitiful on the road last week on the other side of the ball also. The Raiders gained just 35 yards in the first half on their way to a 29-10 loss to the Ravens last Sunday. QB JaMarcus Russell was only 15 of 33 passing for 228 yards with a touchdowns and a pick.

Oakland was hurt with rookie running back Darren McFadden sitting out last week with a turf toe injury. McFadden missed Wednesday practice but is still hoping to go this Sunday. When I see decisions this late in the week on whether a player can go or not, chances are the injury is pretty severe and the player will have a tough time being very effective even if they do play.

McFadden was able to run all over the Chiefs for 164 yards in his second game as a pro, but he has been held down by everyone else. Opponents have been limiting him to only 32.8 yards per game and no touchdowns since his big day against K.C.

But he is still very vital to this team. Oakland was only able to 47 rushing yards without McFadden in the lineup last week. He is also a threat in the passing game and a player the defense must account for at all times.

Atlanta has not showed much promise on the road this season, but I think it will get the job done this week because of what its running attack has to offer against a poor defense. Oakland will play much better this week than they did last week, but at the end of the day the Falcons are the better team. Bet the Falcons at -3 at Bookmaker and receive a 20% cash sign up bonus.

Editor’s Note: Jimmy has hit 8 of his last 12 NFL picks and he has 5 Sunday NFL selections going this week, including his 5* AFC North Game of the Year to satisfy your NFL betting cravings.

You can also check out the NFL lines at Locksmith Sports each and every week.

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in: