Chopping Lines: Holcomb’s Heroes

READ MORE: Betting", Buffalo Bills, Chopping Lines, NFL, Oakland Raiders

Sun, 4:15 p.m.

Oakland Raiders(1-3)

Best Line: BUFF +3, OAK -2

Yeah, don’t get this line. It has to move. Not like Buffalo’s been showing that much all year, but in the last two weeks without J.P. Losman’s frantic quarterbacking there is some progress. We’re convinced Eric Moulds was going to have Losman killed anyway if Bills’ coach Mike Mularkey didn’t bench him. Kelly Holcomb at quarterback has made this team so much better. Imagine if their defense wasn’t so crippled? And now, they’re facing the Raiders. Remember that team that was supposed to challenge for the AFC West at the beginning of the year? Yeah. Nice try. And if Randy Moss sits, this line’s going the complete opposite direction. Take the points and the payoff while you can.

PICK!: BUFF +3

Chopping Lines: Mirth of a Raider Nation

READ MORE: Chopping Lines, NFL Betting, New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders

Today, our favorite ziti-eating expert, A.J. Benza, breaks down tonight’s Oakland Raiders/New England Patriots game for us to a point where it’s much too long to fit onto the front page. Honestly, the guy hasn’t written this much since he published that “Fame: Ain’t It a Bitch” book. But remember how sharp this guy is about his football picks. Pre-season be damned, it’s now time to get serious and greasy and our boy A.J. let’s us know that it’s time to take the panties off and put on the jockstraps. Or something like that. Read A.J.’s pick, after the friggin’ jump.

9 p.m.

Oakland Raiders

at

New England Patriots (0-0)

Best Line: OAK +7.5, NE -7, 50 o/u

My name is A.J. Benza…and I’m a Raiderholic. At first it wasn’t too bad. I mean, it was manageable. I remember I’d watch the games with my father and I’d pretend he was George Blanda and I was Daryl Lamonica. Then, when I was a stupid teenager, I tried to become a lefty so that I could look as cool as Kenny Stabler. And I think Al Davis telling me…no commanding me…to ‘just win baby!’ made it impossible for me to turn down anything Oakland. But I still didn’t think I had a problem. I guess the infamous “Tuck” game was when I really hit rock bottom. It was a combination of Tom Brady definitely fumbling and the depressing weather and then - at the end - the sight of that twerp Adam Vinatieri splitting the uprights. It just felt like I was raped. And I swore right then and there I would never again place a bet on the Raiders.

But, now I’m back.

The questions surrounding this game are endless: Can Bill Belichick survive the defections of his offensive and defensive coordinators? Can the Raiders stop Corey Dillon? Will the Pats double-team Randy Moss? Is Tom Brady still steady? Is Kerry Collins still drinking? How’s your head? Mine’s about to explode.

Here’s the way I see it. First, don’t look past the point that the schedule makers have showcased this game three days before the NFL season officially begins. That wouldn’t have occurred if the Pats weren’t facing an Oakland team that football gurus believe has dramatically improved enough to possibly slow the record-breaking Patriots. So, the NFL powers-that-be are TELLING you that you’re gonna have a Helluva game on your hands tonight.
Beyond that, there is the burning debate whether the Raiders’ juicy, off-season pick-ups will put them in great position to beat a Patriots team that has LOST SIX guys who wore three Super Bowl rings on their hands. That’s a lot of talent.

I am fully aware of Belichick’s ability to heavily analyze a team - and he’s had months to do this - and come up with a game plan to defeat them. However without Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel babysitting, I’m curious to see the head coach go it alone. Because of that alone, I think the Raiders have a legitimate shot of beating the Pats OUTRIGHT tonight.
Not for nothing, but the acquisition of Moss to run under Collins’ bombs and the signing of ex-Jet LaMont Jordan to pound the ball is almost enough for me to make a comfortable wager right there. But when I throw in the fact that the Pats are without Ty Law, or either of their inside linebackers Teddy Bruschi or Ted Johnson, things look even smoother.

And another key factor will be how the Pats secondary can defend against wideouts Jerry Porter and Ronald Curry, both of whom missed most of the pre season with injuries. Them not suiting up much gave Collins and Moss a good amount of time to get the feel of each
other. (KEY POINT HERE: Collins is known as a guy with a cannon who often overthrew his receivers in his stints with other teams. BUT…there is no such thing as throwing a ball that Moss can’t chase down.)

The Raiders’ all-out, balls-out passing game is the difference for me. When it comes to the Patriots’ secondary, you get names such as Duane Starks (questionable), Ellis Hobbs (incapable), Asante Samuel (debateable), Randall Gay (unmentionable) and Tyrone Poole (Horrible). I know kids on Snoop Dogg’s team who aint scurred of those guys. The play here for this proud Raiderholic is to take Oakland. And don’t be surprised if they win the damn game outright.

BENZAPICK!: OAK +7.5

NFL Betting: The Search for 51

READ MORE: NFL Betting, New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders, Over/Under, Play Price

The feisty canucks from Covers are focusing on so many aspects of the game tonight they’ve been googly-eyed since mini-camp began in early August. Plus they have all of that catatonic CFL action to pay attention to as well(Geaux Argonauts!). But today, there’s only one game on their docket that all the books are looking at—and one number in tonight’s Oakland Raiders and New England Patriots game, which is the number 51. 51 is the “play price” for most bettors to pile on the under. As of yesterday, the number sat seductively at 50, waiting for a stiff breeze of Randy Moss’s buddha smoke to blow it over the top. The Covers crew says 51 is the number to watch. We shall oblige and get fat from their wisdom. As of early this morning, BetCris.com was one of the only sports books to have it above 50, with a 50 1/2 point total set for the game.

Total One Point Shy of Play Price [Covers]

NFL Prop: Kerry Collins Is the Next Jim Harbaugh

READ MORE: Kerry Collins, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Peyton Manning, Props

So, the anticipation of the Oakland Raiders pass-crazy offense has officially put wayward quarterback and former drunken bigot Kerry Collins as the second favorite behind the Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback Peyton Manning to win the passing title this year. Manning is the favorite at 4/1, but the addition of Randy Moss to an already stocked receiving corps has put Collins at 6/1 to win the award according to MyBookie. It’s a nice idea and we’re as excited about the potential for a 40,000 yard season in Oakland, but are we forgetting that this is still Kerry Collins?

NFL Betting Props:Passing Yards [My Bookie]