This writer isn’t sure if he angered his editor or what!? Last week, one of their assigned NFL games was the Bills-Jets slog. This week, it’s the lovely Raiders at Cardinals matchup, teams with a combined record of 3-15. But you can still bet on it at Sports Interaction so here we are. Sometimes, the worst games on paper can prove to have the best value.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

That’s not to say this game is meaningless. It could end up landing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft to the loser. That pick seems likely to go to either one of these two, the New York Giants or San Francisco 49ers. The Cardinals’ only two wins are over San Francisco so that actually hurts Arizona. Oakland already lost to the 49ers and doesn’t play the Giants. Arizona doesn’t play the Giants, either.

It’s likely the last time this year that the Cardinals are favoured, although it’s possible they could be Week 14 at home vs. Detroit. The Raiders are 5-4 all-time vs. the Cardinals, which includes two games when the Silver & Black were in Los Angeles and two when the Cards were in St. Louis. Arizona has won the past two, last in 2014.

The road team has covered four of the past five in the series.

Oakland Raiders

It’s a good thing Jon Gruden has the security of his 10-year, $100 million contract because his team appears to have completely quit already. The club was largely competitive the first month of the season but has dropped its past five all by at least 14 points. The Raiders have been outscored a combined 75-9 since taking a 28-21 lead against the Colts in the third quarter on Oct. 28. On Sunday, it was a 20-6 defeat to the Chargers.

Remember how Gruden traded superstar pass rusher Khalil Mack to Chicago on the eve of the season? The Raiders are last in the NFL with eight sacks. A total of 11 guys have at least eight by themselves around the NFL. Mack has seven and he missed two games. Oakland is 2-8-1 ATS in its past 11 road games.

Arizona Cardinals

Arizona actually has decent talent in some sports, but it has been rough sledding under rookie quarterback Josh Rosen, who could be a very good player down the line. The Cards were nearly 17-point underdogs on Sunday in Kansas City and did manage to cover in a 26-14 loss. Rosen threw for 208 yards with a touchdown and two picks. Running back David Johnson, who could start for just about every other team in the league, had a rushing and receiving score and 183 yards from scrimmage.

Future Hall of Fame receiver Larry Fitzgerald, likely in his last season, passed Terrell Owens on Sunday for second on the all-time receiving yards list. Fitz has 15,952, light years from No. 1 Jerry Rice (22,895). Arizona averages 13.8 points this season, ahead of just Buffalo (13.7). The Cards are 5-1-1 ATS in their past seven overall.

Raiders vs. Cardinals Prediction