Browns Raiders Betting – Raiders Host Browns In First Home Game Since Davis’ Passing
The passing of Oakland Raiders’ owner Al Davis hit across the NFL hard this past week, having a significant impact both on and off the football field with the team rallying back for an important road win at the Houston Texans. The Raiders return home this sports betting week looking to build on that win when they face the Cleveland Browns in their first home game since Davis passed on.
Cleveland Browns @ Oakland Raiders
Sunday October 16, 2011 – 4:05 PM ET
Oakland-Alameda County Stadium, Oakland, California
NFL Betting Lines: Oakland Raiders – 6
The Browns will play just their second game away from home this season after a bye last week, and unlike in their win over the Indianapolis Colts in week two things are going to be a lot tougher at Oakland. Cleveland ranks 25th against the run with an average of 124.5 yards per game allowed, and could be in trouble against the league’s second-ranked rushing attack.
NFL Betting Preview: Cleveland Browns
The Browns have managed to edge out a couple of close wins over the Colts and Miami Dolphins by a combined eight points, but will need to be much better to have a chance at Oakland. The fact that they have struggled to stop the run will really hurt them, especially considering what the Raiders have done at home against much better defenses including the New York Jets who they torched for 234 yards on the ground. The Browns haven’t been able to hit on all cylinders on offense this season, with the running back tandem of Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty combining for just over 300 yards rushing through four games. Cleveland will need to lean on those two to pound the rock and open things up for Colt McCoy and the passing game to go over the top.
NFL Betting Preview: Oakland Raiders
The Raiders rank in the bottom third of the league against both the run and pass, so it isn’t like they aren’t vulnerable at home. An absolutely dominant running game has been the difference for Oakland in their wins this year, with running back Darren McFadden averaging an incredible 5.7 yards per carry with three touchdowns. McFadden has to be excited about the chance to run all over one of the league’s worst run defenses in the Browns, and that could open things up for Jason Campbell to gain some confidence by getting a little more time to throw.
NFL Betting Preview: Outlook & Pick
The Raiders should be able to win this game at home and keep pace with the Chargers for first place in the AFC West, but in order to do that they need to establish that dominant run game from the outset. Cleveland is off their bye and will be looking to stack the box to stop the rush, and the difference in this sportsbook promo game could come down to Campbell’s ability to take advantage on one-on-one matchups through the air.
NFL Betting Pick: Oakland Raiders
