Detroit Lions +3
Our power rankings works makes the hosting Raiders just about one point better than the Lions in week 9. As such, we are happy to take the key three with the road dog.
Fundamentally, the biggest mismatch of the game is Detroit's aerial game versus the Oakland secondary. Football Outsiders rates the Raiders' passing defense as 37.5% worse than the League average, by Defense-adjusted Value Over Average. To support their conclusion, consider that Oakland ranks 24th in the NFL by opponents completion percentage, 30th by passing yards allowed and dead last by passing touchdowns given up per contest.
On the other side of the ball, the Lions boast the fourth best QB in the League by DYAR in Matt Stafford. Detroit's passing offense is about 40% better than average, on the heels of a career year for the 11th year veteran out of Georgia.
Bottom line: We think Matt Stafford and the Lions receiving corp are the key to a Detroit cover on the road Sunday afternoon, and we are taking the field goal with with Lions.
Happy betting!!