Two Teams both Looking for their 1st win: Raiders vs Chiefs

Oakland Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs

The Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs were supposed to be bottom feeders in the NFL betting but after both teams overachieved in Week 1, a lot of people are wondering whether they should raise their expectations.

The Raiders nearly upended the San Diego Chargers while the Chiefs gave the Baltimore Ravens a real scare. It could just be Week 1 optimism or it could be signaling a change. We’ll find out more this week.

What The Raiders Have To Do To Win:

We’ll find out a whole lot more about the Raiders this week as they head out on the road.

The Raiders did a fantastic job of running the ball in the first half against the San Diego Chargers but after they made adjustments at half time, the Raiders offense wasn’t moving the ball in the second half.

JaMarcus Russell did look good in spurts last week but playing on the road at Arrowhead Stadium is a different animal altogether.

For the Raiders to win this game, their defense is going to have to get some stops. Last week against San Diego, they weren’t able to pull away at any point because each time after they scored, the Chargers were able to come right back down the field and get back in the game.

What The Chiefs Have To Do To Win:

It looks like the Chiefs will get Matt Cassel back into the lineup this week, which creates an interesting dynamic. Cassel is the franchise quarterback but Brodie Croyle played well through the preseason and nearly pulled off a big upset in Week 1 in Baltimore. Cassel won’t lose his job this week but there is clearly added pressure.

The Chiefs are going to have to run the ball better than they did in Week 1 and they are going to have to help out Cassel with protection schemes. At home this team seems to overachieve.

Advice On The Total:

Neither defense inspires any confidence but neither offense has great weapons to light up the scoreboard. Both teams should be able to run the ball, which means that there will be holes in the pass defense. Whether Cassel and Russell can find those holes is another story but over looks like the safer play rather than the under.

Pick: Raiders +3 and Over 38