Jon Gruden is back on the sidelines with the Oakland Raiders and looks to improve on his stellar pre-season record on Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams.
Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack are two of the best defensive players in the NFL and both players are the talk of their team’s training camp – just not for the right reasons. The Oakland Raiders and Los Angeles Rams play their second pre-season games of the summer with both star players sitting out.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 14 Aug 5:52pm | OAK | -2.5 -110 | O +39 -105 |
| Closing 18 Aug 2:58pm | OAK | -1 -130 | O +37.5 -105 |
Jon Gruden made his return to the sidelines after a nine-year vacation in the broadcasters’ booth. The Raiders won 16-10 last week against the Detroit Lions as 3-point home favourites. The result improved Gruden’s record to 31-16 straight up in 47 career NFL exhibition contests and 7-2 against the spread in his last nine pre-season games. Oddsmakers have the Raiders set as 2.5-point underdogs on the NFL odds board.
The Rams went 2-2 SU and ATS last summer in Sean McVay’s debut season as a head coach in the league. LA kept most of its first-team players glued to the sideline last week in a 33-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens as a 3-point road underdog. The Under is 4-1 in McVay’s five pre-season matchups and the Rams are averaging 14.6 points in those games.
Oakland Raiders
Oakland is getting solid play from backup quarterback Connor Cook. The former Michigan State QB completed 11 of his 19 pass attempts last week for 141 yards and one touchdown. First-string signal caller Derek Carr played only the first drive for the Raiders last week against Detroit, but is expected to get more snaps against the Rams.
The Raiders are working veteran tackle Donald Penn into RT spot while rookie offensive lineman Kolton Miller is protecting Carr’s blind spot. Penn was a Pro Bowl player as a left tackle a year ago but Miller was the Raiders’ first round pick.
Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles went from the league’s lowest scoring team in 2016 to the top-scoring side a year ago at 29.9 points per game. The growth of quarterback Jared Goff was a big part of the offensive turnaround. Unfortunately for Rams backers, Goff doesn’t get all the snaps in the pre-season.
Backup quarterback Sean Mannion completed just three of his 13 pass attempts for 16 yards and an interception against the Baltimore Ravens last week. The Rams own one of the most talented rosters in the league but there are a large number of big name players taking big portions of the salary cap pie.
That doesn’t leave a lot of room to pay fourth and fifth receivers, and backup running backs and quarterbacks. Those positions play a much bigger part in the outcome of pre-season games compared to the regular season.
Weather
| temp | 84 |
| condition | sunny |
| wind | North 2mph |
Injuries
Montrel Meander (CB)
Jared Cook (TE)
Lee Smith (TE)
Keith Smith (FB)
Shilique Calhoun (LB)
Reggie Nelson (S)
Arden Key (DE)
Jalen Richard (RB)
Jacquies Smith (DE)
Leon Hall (CB)
Johnny Hekker (P)
C.J. Anderson (RB)
Blake Countess (DB)
Greg Zuerlein (K)
Blake Countess (DB)
Andrew Whitworth (T)
Samson Ebukam (LB)
Justin Davis (RB)
Dominique Hatfield (CB)
John Sullivan (C)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montrel Meander (CB) | Out Sun | Quadricep - 28 / 12 / 18 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Meander will not play Sunday against the Chiefs due to a quad injury. |
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| Jared Cook (TE) | Ques Sun | Ribs - 26 / 12 / 18 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
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Cook has an unclear status Sunday against the Chiefs due to a rib injury. |
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| Lee Smith (TE) | Ques Sun | Back - 13 / 12 / 18 | 2-1 | 0-2-1 | + - |
|
Smith is bothered by a back injury and it has yet to be determined if he will be on the field against the Bengals on Sunday. |
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| Keith Smith (FB) | Prob Sun | Calf - 12 / 12 / 18 | 2-1 | 0-2-1 | + - |
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Smith is nursing a calf injury but is expected to be available against the Bengals on Sunday. |
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| Shilique Calhoun (LB) | I-R | Neck - 05 / 12 / 18 | 3-1 | 1-2-1 | + - |
|
Calhoun has been placed on the injured reserve list due to a neck injury. |
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| Reggie Nelson (S) | I-R | Shoulder - 05 / 12 / 18 | 3-1 | 1-2-1 | + - |
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Nelson has been designated for the injured reserve list due to a shoulder injury. |
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| Arden Key (DE) | Ques Sun | Knee - 28 / 11 / 18 | 3-2 | 2-2-1 | + - |
|
Key is nursing a knee injury and his availability for Sunday's clash against the Chiefs is up in the air. |
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| Jalen Richard (RB) | Ques Sun | Lower Body - 25 / 11 / 18 | 4-2 | 3-2-1 | + - |
|
Richard was lifted from the previous game due to a lower-body injury and it is undetermined if he will partake in Sunday's clash against the Chiefs. |
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| Jacquies Smith (DE) | I-R | Achilles - 25 / 11 / 18 | 4-2 | 3-2-1 | + - |
|
Smith has been placed on the injured reserve list due to a torn Achilles tendon. |
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| Leon Hall (CB) | I-R | Back - 18 / 11 / 18 | 4-3 | 3-3-1 | + - |
|
Hall has been placed on the injured reserve with a back injury. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnny Hekker (P) | Prob Sun | Illness - 26 / 01 / 19 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Hekker is nursing an illness but is likely to be available against the Patriots in the 2019 Super Bowl. |
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| C.J. Anderson (RB) | Prob Sun | Illness - 24 / 01 / 19 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Anderson is ailing from an illness but is expected to be fine for the 2019 Super Bowl against the Patriots. |
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| Blake Countess (DB) | Prob Sun | Foot - 23 / 01 / 19 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Countess has a foot injury but it is likely he will play in the 2019 Super Bowl against the Patriots. |
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| Greg Zuerlein (K) | Prob Sun | Foot - 23 / 01 / 19 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Zuerlein is dealing with a left foot strain but is expected to suit against the Patriots in the 2019 Super Bowl. |
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| Blake Countess (DB) | Prob Sat | Concussion - 30 / 12 / 18 | 4-0 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Countess left the previous game due to a concussion but is likely to be cleared in time for the NFC divisional round against the Cowboys. |
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| Andrew Whitworth (T) | Prob Sat | Knee - 30 / 12 / 18 | 4-0 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Whitworth exited the last game due to a left knee injury but is expected to participate in the NFC divisional round against the Cowboys. |
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| Samson Ebukam (LB) | Prob Sun | Illness - 19 / 12 / 18 | 4-1 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Ebukam is ailing from an illness but is slated to play Sunday against the Cardinals. |
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| Justin Davis (RB) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 16 / 12 / 18 | 4-2 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Davis exited the previous game due to a shoulder injury and it is unknown if he will face the Cardinals on Sunday. |
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| Dominique Hatfield (CB) | I-R | Ankle - 09 / 12 / 18 | 5-2 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Hatfield sustained a left ankle injury and is on the injured reserve list. |
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| John Sullivan (C) | day-to-day | Concussion - 09 / 12 / 18 | 5-2 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Sullivan left the previous game to be evaluated for a concussion and it is unclear if he will return. |
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Raiders vs. Rams Prediction
-
OAKLAND RAIDERS
17 -
LOS ANGELES RAMS
13
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 14 Aug 5:52pm OAK -2.5 -110 O +39 -105 Closing 18 Aug 2:58pm OAK -1 -130 O +37.5 -105 -
Weather
temp 84 condition sunny wind North 2mph -
Injuries
Montrel Meander (CB)
Out Sun Quadricep - 28 / 12 / 18Jared Cook (TE)
Ques Sun Ribs - 26 / 12 / 18Lee Smith (TE)
Ques Sun Back - 13 / 12 / 18Keith Smith (FB)
Prob Sun Calf - 12 / 12 / 18Shilique Calhoun (LB)
I-R Neck - 05 / 12 / 18Reggie Nelson (S)
I-R Shoulder - 05 / 12 / 18Arden Key (DE)
Ques Sun Knee - 28 / 11 / 18Jalen Richard (RB)
Ques Sun Lower Body - 25 / 11 / 18Jacquies Smith (DE)
I-R Achilles - 25 / 11 / 18Leon Hall (CB)
I-R Back - 18 / 11 / 18Johnny Hekker (P)
Prob Sun Illness - 26 / 01 / 19C.J. Anderson (RB)
Prob Sun Illness - 24 / 01 / 19Blake Countess (DB)
Prob Sun Foot - 23 / 01 / 19Greg Zuerlein (K)
Prob Sun Foot - 23 / 01 / 19Blake Countess (DB)
Prob Sat Concussion - 30 / 12 / 18Andrew Whitworth (T)
Prob Sat Knee - 30 / 12 / 18Samson Ebukam (LB)
Prob Sun Illness - 19 / 12 / 18Justin Davis (RB)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 16 / 12 / 18Dominique Hatfield (CB)
I-R Ankle - 09 / 12 / 18John Sullivan (C)
day-to-day Concussion - 09 / 12 / 18Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Montrel Meander (CB) Out Sun Quadricep - 28 / 12 / 18 1-0 0-1 + - Meander will not play Sunday against the Chiefs due to a quad injury.
Jared Cook (TE) Ques Sun Ribs - 26 / 12 / 18 1-0 0-1 + - Cook has an unclear status Sunday against the Chiefs due to a rib injury.
Lee Smith (TE) Ques Sun Back - 13 / 12 / 18 2-1 0-2-1 + - Smith is bothered by a back injury and it has yet to be determined if he will be on the field against the Bengals on Sunday.
Keith Smith (FB) Prob Sun Calf - 12 / 12 / 18 2-1 0-2-1 + - Smith is nursing a calf injury but is expected to be available against the Bengals on Sunday.
Shilique Calhoun (LB) I-R Neck - 05 / 12 / 18 3-1 1-2-1 + - Calhoun has been placed on the injured reserve list due to a neck injury.
Reggie Nelson (S) I-R Shoulder - 05 / 12 / 18 3-1 1-2-1 + - Nelson has been designated for the injured reserve list due to a shoulder injury.
Arden Key (DE) Ques Sun Knee - 28 / 11 / 18 3-2 2-2-1 + - Key is nursing a knee injury and his availability for Sunday's clash against the Chiefs is up in the air.
Jalen Richard (RB) Ques Sun Lower Body - 25 / 11 / 18 4-2 3-2-1 + - Richard was lifted from the previous game due to a lower-body injury and it is undetermined if he will partake in Sunday's clash against the Chiefs.
Jacquies Smith (DE) I-R Achilles - 25 / 11 / 18 4-2 3-2-1 + - Smith has been placed on the injured reserve list due to a torn Achilles tendon.
Leon Hall (CB) I-R Back - 18 / 11 / 18 4-3 3-3-1 + - Hall has been placed on the injured reserve with a back injury.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Johnny Hekker (P) Prob Sun Illness - 26 / 01 / 19 1-0 0-1 + - Hekker is nursing an illness but is likely to be available against the Patriots in the 2019 Super Bowl.
C.J. Anderson (RB) Prob Sun Illness - 24 / 01 / 19 1-0 0-1 + - Anderson is ailing from an illness but is expected to be fine for the 2019 Super Bowl against the Patriots.
Blake Countess (DB) Prob Sun Foot - 23 / 01 / 19 1-0 0-1 + - Countess has a foot injury but it is likely he will play in the 2019 Super Bowl against the Patriots.
Greg Zuerlein (K) Prob Sun Foot - 23 / 01 / 19 1-0 0-1 + - Zuerlein is dealing with a left foot strain but is expected to suit against the Patriots in the 2019 Super Bowl.
Blake Countess (DB) Prob Sat Concussion - 30 / 12 / 18 4-0 2-2 + - Countess left the previous game due to a concussion but is likely to be cleared in time for the NFC divisional round against the Cowboys.
Andrew Whitworth (T) Prob Sat Knee - 30 / 12 / 18 4-0 2-2 + - Whitworth exited the last game due to a left knee injury but is expected to participate in the NFC divisional round against the Cowboys.
Samson Ebukam (LB) Prob Sun Illness - 19 / 12 / 18 4-1 3-2 + - Ebukam is ailing from an illness but is slated to play Sunday against the Cardinals.
Justin Davis (RB) Ques Sun Shoulder - 16 / 12 / 18 4-2 3-3 + - Davis exited the previous game due to a shoulder injury and it is unknown if he will face the Cardinals on Sunday.
Dominique Hatfield (CB) I-R Ankle - 09 / 12 / 18 5-2 3-4 + - Hatfield sustained a left ankle injury and is on the injured reserve list.
John Sullivan (C) day-to-day Concussion - 09 / 12 / 18 5-2 3-4 + - Sullivan left the previous game to be evaluated for a concussion and it is unclear if he will return.