The downswing of the NFL regular season continues with Week 14 action beginning with the Los Angeles Rams (3-9, 2-5 home) hosting the Las Vegas Raiders (5-7, 2-5 away) in an inter-conference matchup. This will be the first time these two franchises collide since the Raiders moved to Las Vegas.
Thursday’s kickoff is at 8:15 p.m. EST inside SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Las Vegas is a six-point favorite, and the over/under total is 44.5 points.
What to Know – Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas entered the short week riding a three-game winning streak to keep its slim playoff hopes alive. The Raiders sit in third place in the AFC West and need to win every game remaining on their schedule to have a shot at the postseason.
Offensively, Las Vegas sits in the top half of the league scoring 24.3 points per game and generating 366.9 yards of total offense. The Raiders’ defense is on the other side of the coin, ranking near the bottom of the NFL, surrendering 24.7 points and 371.9 yards of total offense.
The connection between former collegiate teammate David Carr and Davante Adams is rolling, with Adams surpassing over 100 yards in four of the last five games and scoring seven touchdowns in that span.
The Raiders are 6-4 against the spread over their last ten contests, with a 3-3 mark ATS on the road over that span. Las Vegas is 0-5 ATS over its last five games against the Rams.
What to Know – Los Angeles Rams
To say it has been a trying season for the defending Super Bowl Champions might be an understatement. Los Angeles won’t be returning to the postseason and has fallen to the bottom of the NFC West.
The Rams’ biggest issue has been their inability to find the endzone, averaging 16.8 points and 283.1 yards of offense per game, both near the bottom of professional football. On defense, Los Angeles holds opponents to 23.3 points and 332.9 yards of total offense.
John Wolford was under center last week against the Seahawks but is playing through neck pain and might not be fully healthy for Thursday. If Wolford can’t go, third-string Bryce Perkins would be expected to handle most of the snaps under center.
Los Angeles is 3-6-1 ATS in its last ten games and 2-3 ATS inside SoFi Stadium. The Rams own a 1-4-1 mark over their last six when entering a matchup as an underdog.
The Pick is In
Las Vegas needs to win this one, or it’ll join the Rams looking on the outside in the NFL Playoffs. After a slow start to the season, the Raiders are playing quality football and get a Los Angeles team with issues at quarterback.
The Rams signed Baker Mayfield to serve as a placeholder for the remainder of the season, but it is unlikely he will suit up this week for L.A. Las Vegas takes advantage of the Rams’ quarterbacking woes and leaves California with a seven-point victory.
The Pick: Las Vegas Raiders -6.5
