Point spread: The Raiders opened as 6.5-point favorites; the total was 47 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)
NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 22.2-22.1 Raiders (NFL picks on every game)
Why the Falcons can cover the spread
Unlike Oakland, Atlanta failed to come through in the clutch in Week 1, falling 31-24 at home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But that's not to say the Falcons did not play well at times because quarterback Matt Ryan still threw for a game-high 334 yards and two touchdowns.
Ryan has the ability to keep his team in this game against the Raiders, much like Drew Brees did for the Saints. Atlanta has better offensive talent overall, which could be the difference. Plus, the Falcons are an impressive 9-3 against the spread in their last 12 as underdogs according to the OddsShark NFL Database.
Why the Raiders can cover the spread
Oakland has not made the playoffs since losing to the Bucs 48-21 in Super Bowl XXXVII after the 2001 season. This team is good on both sides of the ball and has the better coach in Jack Del Rio, who made the gutsy decision to go for two at New Orleans rather than kick the extra point and head to overtime—which was the right decision according to website PredictionMachine.com.
Led by quarterback Derek Carr, the Raiders were one of the most hyped teams going into the regular season, and a 2-0 start would go a long way to help build confidence for the rest of the year. The favorite has gone 6-0 straight up and 5-1 ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
