NFL Bargain Bets for Week 7
October 21st 2009 - Old Man Winner             

New York Jets (-6.5) at Oakland Raiders

I hate taking road favorites, but this is Oakland we're talking about here. i don't hate taking this one. They have to be the worst 2-4 team I have ever seen.

The recent trends really helped to bring this spread down to a ridiculous level. The Jets have lost three in a row, and the Raiders just upset the Eagles at home last week. You put this game two weeks ago and the spread is double digits, which is where it should be. And the Jets would still cover that!

Mark Sanchez is not going to throw 5 interceptions again. So, if you throw out the Buffalo game as an anomaly, what you see is that the Jets have struggled against very highly rated run offenses, having faced Mia (#1), NO (#4), and Ten (#6) in their games prior to Buffalo. The Raiders are nothing of the sort. They are currently ranked #28 running the ball. But, as if that is not enough, that is their strength! They are dead last throwing the ball with a paltry 125/yds a game. And, to add insult to injury (pun intended), their "star" running back, Darren McFadden, is riding the pine with an injury.

With respect to the Jets, they racked up an incredible 318 yards rushing last week. It is almost impossible that a team does that and still loses the game. Rex Ryan has to be out of his mind falling back to 3-3 after an incredible start. I'm sure he is properly "motivating" his team this week and Mark, The Hunk, Sanchez is busy finishing his humble pie.

What do you think JaMarcus Russell is doing this week? I'll give you odds, he is completely happy with a two win season and is just planning on enjoying his "success". C'mon - how can he even be a starting QB in this league with a completion % in the mid-40's? If it weren't for Al Davis, he would probably be working out with Jeff George trying to see who can throw the ball farther while on his knees . . . .

And, if all of this isn't enough, I'll throw in the insider angle for you as a bonus. What is to stop Rob Ryan, Rex's brother, and last year's disgruntled Raider Defensive Coordinator, from sharing any Raider secrets? That's right - nothing. And who wouldn't want to take his shot at Al Davis, the guy who passed him over as Head Coach for the Offensive Line Coach. As if this is even necessary.

I smell a blowout! Take the Jets and donate the measly 6 1/2 points.

Other games I love this week: SD-4, Min+4, GB-7, Car-7, and UNDER 35 in NYJ/Oak game