Raiders vs Rams Preview & Free Pick [December 8th 2022]

Las Vegas (5-7) at LA Rams (3-9)
When: Thursday, December 8th 2022
Where: SoFi Stadium,
Inglewood, CA
Time: 8:15 ET | TV: Prime
Opening Odds: Las Vegas -5.5/42

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Week 14 of the NFL schedule kicks off with a West Coast battle between the Los Angeles Rams and Las Vegas Raiders. Three weeks ago, this looked like one of the worst games on the prime time schedule, but the Raiders have come alive with three consecutive victories to get back into the playoff hunt. This was supposed to be a big season in Las Vegas with quarterback Derek Carr getting All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams – his former Fresno State teammate – but the two have only begun to shine recently. Las Vegas is coming off an impressive 27-20 win over the L.A. Chargers on Sunday and now will play the other Los Angeles team at SoFi Stadium. Carr will reach 3,000 passing yards on Thursday for the ninth time in nine seasons. Only Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson have accomplished that feat.

Meanwhile, the defending Super Bowl champs are a complete mess. Injuries and poor play have made this a wasted season. The Rams are now without the top three players from last year’s championship team: quarterback Matthew Stafford (neck), wide receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) and defensive tackle Aaron Donald (ankle). With Stafford out, the Rams decided to claim Baker Mayfield off waivers – the only team to make a claim. Mayfield started six games for Carolina after a trade last July, completing 57.8 percent of his passes for 1,313 yards and six touchdowns against six interceptions. The Rams are on a six-game losing streak after last week’s 27-23 home loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The Raiders are 6-point road favorites with a total of 44.5. The Rams are 5-0 against the spread in the past five meetings.

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Carr threw for 250 yards and two scores, both to Davante Adams, in the win over the Chargers last week. Adams ended the day with eight catches for 177 yards and now has 85 career touchdown catches, moving past Calvin Johnson for fifth most for a receiver in his first nine seasons. Carr and Adams hooked up on 31 and 45-yard touchdowns. Josh Jacobs, who leads the league in rushing, had 144 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The Raiders are 5-1 this season when he has at least 100 yards. Pass-rusher Chandler Jones has been a disappointment, but had three sacks on Sunday. Las Vegas is 4-1 ATS in its past five after an ATS win and will host New England next week.

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It’s been a rough season for the Rams and it doesn’t appear it will get much better since they are desperate enough to go after Mayfield. Donald missed his first NFL game due to injury last week and won’t play Thursday. L.A. can’t even tank the season for a high draft pick since their first rounder goes to the Detroit Lions. John Wolford passed for 178 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Wolford will most likely be the backup once Mayfield is ready. The Rams did play tough last week given all the injuries, as they covered the spread as a home dog. The Rams, who are 2-6 ATS in their past eight at home, will be at Green Bay next Monday night.

This is a game I really don’t want any part of. The Rams are a mess, but were competitive at home last week against a decent Seattle team. The Raiders are in unfamiliar territory as big road favorites. I think the Rams can keep this a one-score contest.

Week 14 NFL Staff Selections

Pick: Rams +6


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