Toe-to-Toe
The AFC stands a blasé 154-169-2 SU
and 154-160-11 ATS in non-conference clashes against the NFC the past five
seasons, including 6-1 SUATS as double-digit favorites.
They have gone 172-148-5
'Over' in those games, including 100-83-3 'Over' when playing as a dog.
In intra conference games - AFC
versus AFC - overall the teams off a SU underdog win have struggled to get back
up the following game, going just 65-93 SU and 62-88-8 ATS. Inside those
numbers is a paltry 1-14 SU and 4-11 ATS mark for dogs of 6 or more points.
Passer Rating Differential
In a passer-friendly league these
days, it's important to know that you win when you have a quality quarterback,
and you lose when you don't.
According to a study I recently
completed at Football Outsiders.com, over
the last five years of the 50 teams in the NFL that ranked in the Top 10 in
season ending offensive pass efficiency, 37 of them made the playoffs.
Of the 50 teams in the NFL that
ranked in the Top 10 in season ending defensive pass efficiency, 32 of
them make the playoffs (although only three last season).
Among those a total of the 14 teams
combined to finish the season ranked in both offensive and defensive pass
efficiency, with 13 of them finding their way to the postseason. The only one
that did not: the 2015 New York Jets of the AFC.
The previews below are compliments
of the 2o17 PLAYBOOK Football Preview Guide magazine. This is our NFL
AFC Division pointspread prognosis for this season...
2017 AFC EAST PREVIEW
BUFFALO
BILLS
TEAM
THEME: SALUD
Westgate
SuperBook Season Win Total: 8 -130
Opponents'
Collective Season Win Total: 123.5
Rex
Ryan's grandstand firing of OC Greg Roman following an 0-2 start last season
wasn't enough to save his hide as his toxic personality, along with his
defenses that finished No. 24 and 26 in two years with the Bills, proved to be
his Waterloo. Fired brother Rob also won't benefit from the finally healthy
services of last year's top pick, DE Shaq Lawson who never fully recovered from
preseason shoulder surgery, or 2nd-rounder LB Reggie Ragland who sat out the
entire season with a torn ACL. As for the offense, Dan Graziano of ESPN notes
that of the quarterbacks who have played at least 20 games the past years,
Tyrod Taylor ranks 4th in TD/INT ratio and 7th in Total QBR. The addition of WR
Zay Jones, who set an NCAA single-season record with 158 receptions at East
Carolina last season, along with the healthy return of stud Sammy Watkins,
should help Taylor and 1st-year head coach Sean McDermott ease the pain of a
difficult schedule that finds the Bills taking on foes with a projected 134.5
wins. And if upper management can prevent any further pillaging from their
division rival Patriots, maybe even retired anchor Chris Berman will, once
again, circle the wagons in upstate New York.
STAT YOU
WILL LIKE: Rex Ryan's record with Buffalo was the best of any of the previous
five Bills' head coaches.
PLAY ON:
vs. NY Jets (9/10)
MIAMI DOLPHINS
TEAM
THEME: GASING AT THE POSSIBILITIES
Westgate
SuperBook Season Win Total: 7 -120
Opponents'
Collective Season Win Total: 134
There's
a lot to like about the 2017 Dolphins as owner Stephen Ross laid out a bundle
in resigning key personnel while trying to hold on to the core of his 10-6
team. There's also a lot to be concerned with as the Fish allowed went just
4-13 'In The Stats', allowed more points than they scored, and were also only
2-4 SU against winning opposition last season. The latter is extremely alarming
considering Miami tackles the 3rd most difficult schedule in the league
(projected wins 134) and the 6th toughest based on win-loss records from last
year (148-119). Numerous close calls (seven games decided by overtime or 4
points or less) had the Dolphins gazing at defense in the draft, headlined by
pass-rusher Charles Harris (Missouri) in the first round. Looking for red-zone
help, they also re-united TE Julius Thomas with head coach Adam Gase. The
offensive line looks to be a strength as Laremy Tunsil, last year's
value-packed first-round pick, will move to his natural position at left
tackle, though they will need Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey to overcome nagging
injuries that has caused him to miss 19 games over the past four seasons. The
main question is whether retread QB Jay Cutler can adequately fill former
starter Ryan Tannehill's shoes.
STAT YOU
WILL LIKE: Since 2000, Greg Cote of the Miami Herald notes the Dolphins have
drafted a total of 12 players that have totaled 12 Pro Bowl seasons.
PLAY
AGAINST: at Buffalo (12/17)
NEW ENGLAND
PATRIOTS
TEAM
THEME: GAME OF GROANS
Westgate
SuperBook Season Win Total: 12.5 +100
Opponents'
Collective Season Win Total: 124
Tom
Brady got his 'one for the thumb' in leading the Pats past Atlanta, capping the
biggest comeback in Super Bowl history. We're not sure who groaned more: the
growing legion of New England haters or the sportsbooks who took a virtual
bath, especially on 2nd half action. After suffering its first shutout loss at
Gillette Stadium in franchise history in Week Four, Brady returned from
suspension and the Pats never looked back. We don't want to say he's getting
old but your TV might still have knobs on it as old as Brady (40). Nonetheless,
he adds another weapon to his "5'10" arsenal" in deep threat Brandon Cooks,
complimenting Julian Edelman out of the slot and pass-catching back James
White. A 9th straight postseason appearance figures to be in the bank as a
difficult non-division lineup is offset by the soft AFC East. And the more
things change in the ever-developing NFL, the more they stay the same in
Foxborough: the Patriots will continue to employ one of the NFL's smaller
coaching staffs (its 15-member group is far below the league average of 20). It's an old school approach that Belichick feels leads to better communication.
One thing's for sure... with or without rabbit ears, his message is clear.
STAT YOU
WILL LIKE: Since 2006, five defending Super Bowl champions have failed to make
it back to the playoffs the following season.
PLAY
AGAINST: vs. Atlanta (10/22)
NEW YORK
JETS
TEAM
THEME: KISS THIS
Westgate
SuperBook Season Win Total: 5 -110
Opponents'
Collective Season Win Total: 131.5
You know
you're in trouble when your owner asks the fans for patience. Even Hall of Fame
QB Joe Namath, who displayed just that when waiting for a kiss from his main
squeeze, Suzy Kolber, said, "Right now I don't think there are many teams wary
of the Jets." Recognizing an obvious need to officially begin their rebuild,
the Jets said adios to mainstays Ryan Clady, Nick Mangold, Brandon Marshall and
Darrell Revis. They then proceeded to trade down four times in the NFL draft to
acquire much-needed extra selections for an aging roster. Quizzically, QB Josh
McCown (19-46 SU in the NFL, including 2-20 the last 22) figures to start until
they figure out what they want to do with Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg.
Together they form a sluggish MPH (McCown, Petty, Hackenberg) trio that is
simply not up to speed in this league. Its no wonder why the Flyboys season win
total came in at 5 - the same number of victories they finished with last
season after posting 10 wins in HC Todd Bowles' rookie season. Despite filling
obvious needs, New York's draft also looked like something out of Noah's Ark as
the Jets drafted positions in pairs: two safeties, two receivers and two
corners. Right now they are hoping the 'beat out' Cleveland for the top spot in
this year's draft.
STAT YOU
WILL LIKE: The Jets are 15-0-1 ATS as division dogs against foes off a division
ATS win.
PLAY ON:
vs. Miami (9/24)
2017 AFC NORTH PREVIEW
BALTIMORE
RAVENS
TEAM
THEME: THE MUCK STOPS HERE
Westgate
SuperBook Season Win Total: 9 +110
Opponents'
Collective Season Win Total: 127
Yes, Joe
Flacco has won 83 games since entering the league in 2008, only trailing Tom
Brady, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger and Matt Ryan during that
span. However, since winning the Super Bowl and signing a monster contract in
2013, Flacco's total QBR rating ranks 21st, behind the likes of Jay Cutler,
Colin Kaepernick and Ryan Fitzpatrick. The firing of OC Marc Trestman five
games into the season didn't help as the Ravens ended the year averaging only 2
points and 10 yards per game more than with him. Nor does the lack of depth at
wide receiver as Mike Wallace and Breshad Perriman are primarily deep threats
that struggle to make plays (Perriman has yet to produce 65 receiving yards in
a game). Thus, the signing of WR Jeremy Maclin should help. So in typical
Ravens' fashion when all else fails, John Harbaugh will, once again, turn to a
defense that features six new starters and a deep secondary. Harbaugh is
pumped, going on record as saying "I don't want to overstate the expectations,
but I'm not afraid to do that, really. I expect these guys to be great." That
should certainly help a team that played in a whopping 11 games last season
that were decided by one score (7 points) or less.
STAT YOU
WILL LIKE: Half of the Ravens' road wins the last two years have been at
Cleveland.
PLAY ON:
at Oakland (10/8)
CINCINNATI
BENGALS
TEAM
THEME: STARVIN' MARVIN
Westgate
SuperBook Season Win Total: 8.5 -110
Opponents'
Collective Season Win Total: 123
Apparently
London Bridge wasn't the only thing falling down across the pond. Cincinnati's
trip to Wembley Stadium in late October against the Redskins resulted in a
24-24 tie and the Bengals could never really get it in gear from that point on,
closing out a dismal 2016 campaign with a 3-5 finish (all five losses by 5 or
fewer points) - and ending a streak of five straight one-and-done postseason
appearances. However, things are looking up for Andy Dalton in America's Queen
City. Cincy has added speedy WR John Ross and controversial RB Joe Mixon to an
explosive offense that features WR A.J. Green and TE Tyler Eifert. In addition,
no team will face an easier set of foes in 2017 as the Bengals' schedule of
opponents tallies a combined 123 projected wins. Marvin Green's men also have
the luxury of traveling the second fewest air miles in the loop (7,652) while
taking on the NFC North - a division they have owned of late as evidenced by a
10-2 SU and 8-3-1 ATS mark since 2005. It's all for naught, though, unless the
offensive line can keep their red-headed rifle upright and seeing 'Green.' With
that, it's hard to look past the fact that Cincinnati last tasted playoff
victory in 1990.
STAT YOU
WILL LIKE: Cincinnati is 12-2-1 ATS as a pick or dog of 3 or less points off a
DD win under Lewis.
PLAY ON:
vs. Detroit (12/24)
CLEVELAND
BROWNS
TEAM
THEME: KIZER PEMANENTE
Westgate
SuperBook Season Win Total: 4.5 -110
Opponents'
Collective Season Win Total: 132
The
quarterback-starved Browns passed on signal callers with their two first-round
selections but the carousal added another pony in the following round with the
selection of DeShone Kizer. Kizer will likely open the season holding the
clipboard for Brock Osweiler and/or Cody Kessler but history suggests it won't
take long before he gets his chance as the Browns have cycled through 26 QBs
since 1999 (New England has used a total of five in that span and would have
been three if not for Brady's suspension). Still, color us intrigued as it
looks like Hue Jackson has the Brownies heading in the right direction. They
upgraded their offensive line and amassed a ton of draft picks (12) for 2018,
including two firsts, three seconds and a pair of fourth rounders. All this
while earning top grades in this year's draft. One constant is LT Joe Thomas
(160 consecutive starts in 10 Pro Bowl seasons) who will need to remain
productive as the game plan should be to pound the ball on the ground with RBs
Isaiah Crowell (4.8 YPR) and Duke Johnson (4.9 YPR). The hire of DC Gregg
'Bounty' Williams is a good move but that will lead to a change of schemes
(back to 4-3) for the third time in seven years. A salty division slate, along
with a 1-5 SUATS log at home versus the NFC North, figures to keep the Brownies
in the oven for another season.
STAT YOU
WILL LIKE: Since 2006, the Browns have drafted 7 QBs that have gone 22-69
collectively.
PLAY
AGAINST: vs. Green Bay (12/10)
PITTSBURGH
STEELERS
TEAM
THEME: KILLER B'S
Westgate
SuperBook Season Win Total: 10.5 -130
Opponents'
Collective Season Win Total: 129
Playing
every away game in an Eastern Time zone for only the third time in NFL history,
the Steelers capitalized by going 5-3 SUATS in those games en route to a 11-win
regular season - keeping Mike Tomlin's 10-year streak of never having a losing
campaign intact. And not only will the Steelers, like last year, travel the
fewest air miles (6,790) in the league, they're also expected to be favored in
all but two games this season (small dogs at KC, small home dog to NE)
according to Cantor Gaming in Las Vegas. The full time return of WR Martavius
Bryant is a scary proposition as Ben Roethlisberger has never played a full
season with all three B's (Bell, Bryant, and Brown) in the lineup (provided
LeVeon Bell eventually signs a contract). The feel-good addition of RB James
Conner compliments Bell while second-round selection WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
gives Big Ben another weapon (can you say 40 TD passes!) to improve on an
already impressive 138-66 SU record in his NFL career, including 25-10 SU and
23-12 ATS in division roadies. Anything less than a fourth consecutive
double-digit win season and a second straight AFC North title will be a
disappointment for the Terrible Towels.
STAT YOU
WILL LIKE: Persistence has paid off for Pittsburgh: the Steelers have made 29
playoff appearances over the last 45 seasons. They are also only the fourth NFL
franchise to earn 600 victories, trailing only Chicago, Green Bay, and NY
Giants.
PLAY ON:
vs. New England (12/17)
2017 AFC SOUTH PREVIEW
HOUSTON
TEXANS
TEAM
THEME: ELEMENTARY, MY DEAR WATSON
Westgate
SuperBook Season Win Total: 8 -120
Opponents'
Collective Season Win Total: 130.5
It's
been reported that head coach Bill O'Brien changes quarterbacks more often than
he does underwear, which if true, could lead to a malodorous situation in
Houston this season. The truth of the matter, though, is no one gets more from
a stable of mediocre quarterbacks than the QB whisperer as his teams have
started 8 different signal-callers in his three years with the Texans, yet
somehow managed to pull off 28 wins and a couple of playoff appearances along
the way. Despite paying dearly for first-round pick Deshaun Watson, it's
unlikely the Clemson star will join the stable anytime soon as O'Brien's
philosophy is rookie quarterbacks should be seen and not blurred (and if all
else fails, we wouldn't be surprised to hear a few Tony Romo 'whispers'). The
return of J.J. Watt, who missed 13 games last season after undergoing back
surgery, along with the rise of DE/LB Jadeveon Clowney - who is now playing at
the level expected when Houston made him the top pick in the draft four years
ago - ensures the defense is no laughing matter. It also should send the Texans
back to the postseason out of a very winnable AFC South.
STAT YOU
WILL LIKE: Houston is 12-0 SU and 10-2 ATS as a favorite against foes off a
loss under O'Brien.
PLAY ON:
at New England (9/24)
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
TEAM
THEME: OPERATION: DVOA
Westgate
SuperBook Season Win Total: 8.5 +120
Opponents'
Collective Season Win Total: 122.5
There's
a new buzzword in Indy this season: DEFENSE. According to Bill Barnwell of
ESPN, new GM Chris Ballard shored up the league's fourth worst defense per DVOA
via the draft and free agency. (DVOA is a statistical metric devised by
Football Outsiders.com that measures
Defense-adjusted Value Over Average - sort of like MLB's 'WAR' Wins Above
Replacement statistic. It allows you to compare teams and players overall and
their offenses and defenses with better accuracy than standard measures such as
yards gained and yards allowed, which don't adjust for opponent quality.) The
offense, which ranked 7th in the league in points scored and 9th in total
yardage won't need metrics as long as Andrew Luck is back at full strength
following off-season shoulder surgery - and that's iffy as of this writing. Luck (46-30) is coming off a quiet 4,24/31 TD/63.5 completion percentage
performance and will face the league's softest SOS slate with foes going just
112-147 last season. Sure, the offensive line still needs help but if last
year's three selections (nabbed with the first five picks) come around and
Ballard's defensive plan pans out, the Colts could get off the 8-win schneid
and return to the postseason for the first time in three years.
STAT YOU
WILL LIKE: QB Andrew Luck is 21-3 SU and 20-4 ATS in his NFL career in games
following a Colts' SUATS loss.
PLAY ON:
at Houston (11/5)
JACKSONVILLE
JAGUARS
TEAM
THEME: HAIL THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
Westgate
SuperBook Season Win Total: 6.5 -150
Opponents'
Collective Season Win Total: 124.5
Despite
holding half of their opponents to under 300 yards last season, the Jags
managed to net only three wins as they lost a league-high eight games by a
touchdown or less. It marked their sixth straight losing season, as they have
not made the playoffs since 2007. Hence, they got busy in the offseason,
bringing in numerous free agents, removing the interim label from head coach
Doug Marrone and naming Tom Coughlin VP director of football operations. They
also landed RB Leonard Fournette who should make an early splash as five of the
Jags' first six foes ranked in the bottom half of the league in rushing yards
allowed per attempt last season. That can only help QB Blake Bortles, who next
to Philip Rivers (52), has tossed more interceptions (51) than anyone in the
league over the past three years (it's never a good sign when your QB has more
pick-6s than wins). The Jaguars will also need to outplay Vegas projections as
they are predicted to be favored in only six of their sixteen contests and will
count on Marrone to handle division duties as the former head man in Buffalo
(15-17 SU) is 10-4 ATS in division games, including a near spotless 5-1 ATS at
home. A September 17th date versus an improved Tennessee team will put that
number to the test. It will also be crucial to Bortles' future as a starter
with Jacksonville.
STAT YOU
WILL LIKE: The Jaguars are 1-10 SUATS at home in games after facing an NFC foe.
PLAY
AGAINST: vs. Indianapolis (12/3)
TENNESSEE
TITANS
TEAM
THEME: MULARKEY ASIDE, BEWARE OF THE TITANS
Westgate
SuperBook Season Win Total: 8.5 -130
Opponents'
Collective Season Win Total: 124.5
Taking
the Titans from 3 wins in his rookie season to 9 victories last year, QB Marcus
Mariota's career looks promising - as long as he can avoid the dreaded injury
bug that cut short each of his first two seasons in the league. That becomes a
major hassle should Tennessee be forced to turn to Matt Cassel. The rest of the
offense is also in good hands as dynamic first-round draft pick WR Corey Davis
joins Rishard Matthews, who exploded over the final 12 games of the season,
catching 65 balls for 945 yards and 9 TDs. The backfield is also well fortified
as DeMarco Murray re-established himself as a bonafide anchor while Derrick
Henry averaged 4.5 YPR in his rookie campaign. On the other side of the ball,
the Titans reinforced a secondary that ranked 30th overall with key free agent
signings. Yes, we realize that head coach Mike Mularkey is just 14-34 SU in his
last 48 games dating back to his days with Buffalo, but if they can take
advantage of a soft schedule that finds only six foes owning winning records in
2016 (116-148 overall), then they just might make some noise in the vulnerable
AFC South.
STAT YOU
WILL LIKE: The Music City Titans are 10-1 SU and 8-2-1 ATS versus sub .500 NFC
West opponents.
PLAY ON:
vs. Indianapolis (10/16)
2017 AFC WEST PREVIEW
DENVER
BRONCOS
TEAM
THEME: RIGHT BACK AT YOU
Westgate
SuperBook Season Win Total: 8 -110
Opponents'
Collective Season Win Total: 133.5
It's a
good thing rookie head coach Vance Joseph, a former defensive coordinator with
the Miami Dolphins, won't have to spend too much time shoring up a stop-unit
that ranked 3rd in the league in points allowed (18.6) and 4th in overall total
defense (316.1) last season. That's because he'll be spending most of his days
(and nights) figuring out who will be under center while tackling the second
most difficult slate in the league based on opponents' win-loss records last
year (150-114), and fourth hardest looking at foes' projected wins (133.5) for
this season. Will it be Paxton Lynch, Denver's top pick in the 2016 draft?
Trevor Siemian, a 7th-rounder in 2015? Or perhaps Mr. Irrelevant - Chad Kelly -
the final selection in the 2017 class will eventually get his chance. If
healthy, the signing of RB Jamaal Charles could be a coup for a rushing attack
that averaged less than 100 YPG for the first time in recent history. Simply
put, the Broncos will need to get back to a bread-and-butter run offense in
order to avoid the 'Lynch' mob and book their usual postseason spot. 'Ad-
Vance' notice: Christmas (at Kansas City) and New Years (vs. Oakland) will
likely decide how the AFC West is won this season.
STAT YOU
WILL LIKE: The Broncos are 15-3 SU and 14-4 ATS in their last 18 division away
games.
PLAY ON:
at Kansas City (10/30) - *KEY
KANSAS CITY
CHIEFS
TEAM
THEME: ONE STEP UP, TWO STEPS BACK
Westgate
SuperBook Season Win Total: 9 -110
Opponents'
Collective Season Win Total: 132
After
trading up 17 spots in the first round of this year's draft, many feel Patrick
Mahomes II will be Andy Reid's quarterback in the near future. Considering
Mahomes went 0-9 SU in his college career against ranked opponents and the
Chiefs square off against the toughest SOS in 2017 with foes sporting an
overall .573 win percentage (153-115), Reid should consider jumping in the
Delorean ASAP and driving back to the future. Despite being outgained by 34 YPG
and losing the stat battle in 11 of 16 contests, the Chiefs managed to collect
12 scalps in 2016. That immediately puts them on our early-season fade list
unless they can improve on a defense that is often forced to play a Dime
package (6 DBs) due to lack of depth at linebacker and ranked 22nd or worse
against the run five of the past six seasons. However, if oft-injured MLB
Derrick Johnson returns and RB Kareem Hunt, who surpassed 300 touches and came
into his own as a weapon out of the backfield last year at Toledo, can fill in
for the departed Jamaal Charles, things for Andy could be just dandy in the
wild, wild AFC West. But we simply don't trust teams from one year to the next
that lead the league in net turnovers. They tend to regress to the mean in a
mean way.
STAT YOU
WILL LIKE: The last quarterback drafted by the Chiefs to win a game in the NFL
was in 1983.
PLAY
AGAINST: at NY Jets (12/3)
LOS ANGELES
CHARGERS
TEAM
THEME: BOLTING FOR L.A.
Westgate
SuperBook Season Win Total 7.5 -110
Opponents'
Collective Season Win Total: 128.5
There
was plenty of crying for Philip Rivers last season in San Diego as the Chargers
all-time passing yards leader - who hasn't missed a start since taking over the
reins in 2006 - suffered a career-high 21 picks while completing just over 60%
of his passes, far below his career completion percentage. It's no wonder why
the Chargers drafted stud WR Mike Williams and used three of their seven draft
picks on offensive linemen. Unfortunately, Williams is out until at least
October with a back injury. According to Pro Football Focus, the Bolts
allowed the most pass pressure in the league over the past three seasons. That
same massive line, though, is the main reason RB Melvin Gordon showed
considerable improvement. The defense also asserted itself with Joey Bosa and
Melvin Ingram forming a fierce pass-rushing duo. However, the schedule-maker
did the Chargers and rookie head coach Anthony Lynn no favors this season as
they take on a league-high 11 foes that owned winning records in 2016. The
feeling here, though, is if this team can shake their annual injury bug (they
led the league with 355 man games lost last season) and pull out a few close
ones (1-8 in games decided by a TD or less), they could supplant the Chiefs as
playoff contenders.
STAT YOU
WILL LIKE: The Chargers are 24-4-1 ATS as road dogs of more than 4 points since
2004.
PLAY ON:
vs. Miami (9/17)
OAKLAND
RAIDERS
TEAM
THEME: JUST SAY WHEN, BABY
Westgate
SuperBook Season Win Total: 9.5 -110
Opponents'
Collective Season Win Total: 124
Future
bettors who rolled the dice on the Raiders last season were rewarded early as
the Vegas-bound Silver and Black easily topped their projected win total of 8.5
by delivering 12 victories, despite the fact that they were actually outyarded
on the season. With that a serious red flag pops up - especially if they can't
match a trend that saw them go 8-1 in games decided by a TD of less. A
relatively easy schedule this season (according to Vegas, not the NFL) may see
them top the number (9.5) this year, especially with a healthy Derek Carr
driving a potent attack that features WR Amari Cooper and recently added RB
Marshawn Lynch and TE Jared Cook. Unfortunately, the Raiders made no high
impact moves to help Khalil Mack and beef up a front seven that failed to sack
Brock Osweiler in a humbling Wild-Card round loss to the Texans. The good news
is last season was the first time since 1967 that Oakland won five consecutive
road games; the bad news is Blackjack Del Rio's bunch is 1-8 SU versus the NFC
East since 2005. Still, we'll consider a double down 'under 10 wins' should the
public drive the number up as teams who lead the league in net turnovers (tied
with the Chiefs last year) average 16.5 less net TO's the following year.
Think about that before jumping off the high board again with the
Black-and-Silver in 2017.
STAT YOU
WILL LIKE: After going 1-18 SU since 2009 in games in Eastern Time zone cities,
the Raiders went 3-0 in 2016.
PLAY
AGAINST: at Buffalo (10/29)
For more of Marc Lawrence click here.