by Chuck Sommers
Monday, Dec 05, 2022
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Where to watch: Prime Video
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Raiders -6
FanDuel: Raiders -5.5
BetMGM: Raiders -6
Caesars: Raiders -5.5
Season record
Raiders: 5-7
Rams: 3-9
Week 14 is here in the NFL season and things are starting to heat up. Teams you didn’t expect to be in the hunt this late in the season are surely cashing in now, and you’re ready to enjoy the ride, I’m sure. What will this week hold with division races tightening up and playoff races hitting the first quarter mark? One thing you can surely count on is our champion handicappers making things happen. Brian Bitler has been killing it the last 30 days with a 16-8-0 mark. Matt Fargo has been just as efficient over the last month with a 17-10-1 run in the NFL. Both went 4-2-0 this past weekend in what was an entertaining slate of football. You’re going to want to be tuned in to bigal.com to find out what our champion handicappers are doing to get you across the finish line!
Raiders - Rams preview, analysis and prediction
Last week
Raiders: won 27-20 vs. Chargers
Rams: lost 27-23 vs. Seahawks
Raiders analysis
The door is cracked open slightly for the Las Vegas Raiders to make the playoffs. This wouldn’t be an issue if they figured out how to win games earlier in the year, but at least the chance is there after their third straight win on Sunday, 27-20 against the Los Angeles Chargers to split the season series.
This Raiders team is exactly what many people expected when the season began: With Derek Carr throwing touchdowns to Davante Adams, with Josh Jacobs carrying the team on its back, and Maxx Crosby getting sacks. All of it is coming together. The Raiders got 250 yards and two touchdowns from Carr, with 177 and both scores going to Adams, while Jacobs carried the ball 26 times for 144 yards and a touchdown. If you’re looking for the reason why the Raiders have a chance, look at 28 in the backfield.
"Things needed to be said," Carr said. "Things needed to be handled. When you love a place so much, you put your heart into it. To see the way we've responded since then, it's a proud moment for me. I'm happy about it, but we've got a long way to go."
Suddenly, things appear to be looking up for the Raiders. Sure, their three wins in a row are against teams that they absolutely should be beating – maybe with the exception of the Seattle Seahawks, that was a bit of a surprise – and now this week will present another one of these opportunities. Hell, the next three are winnable in their own right. This team could be above .500 when it’s all said and done.
I suppose buckle up.
"The stats mean a lot to me in the sense that I'm holding up my end of the bargain," Adams said. "I'm doing what I've got to do. The efficiency part of it is big, too. We've got to make sure we're being as efficient as possible and let the stats and of all that take care of themselves down the road.
Rams analysis
Things continue to spiral downward for the Los Angeles Rams. No more Cooper Kupp the rest of the year, now likely no more Matthew Stafford. What a time for the Rams to not have their first-round pick this year. The city of Detroit is living large at the moment.
The Rams are coming off yet another loss, this one to the Seattle Seahawks and what seemed like the nail in the coffin in the Rams’ season. John Wolford threw for 178 yards and two interceptions, while Cam Akers did all the heavy lifting with two touchdowns.
How are you feeling, Sean McVay?
"I'm proud to be rolling through this with this group," McVay said. "I'm proud to be battling through adversity with them. I'm going to continue to do everything in my power for us to try to change the result, but you can't deny that there's been improvement.”
God bless you, sir. Because this is an abomination.
I’m honestly surprised the Rams are sitting at touchdown underdogs. You’d think it would be much more than that. But as long as Aaron Donald is still roaming the line of scrimmage, you’re going to have a chance to win with defense. Even if he only has five sacks this year, the Raiders’ offensive line is enough to give L.A. a chance.
Prediction
But that won’t be happening this time, not with how well the Raiders have been running the ball with Jacobs. That’s opened up the play-action game a great deal with Carr needing some confidence. If he keeps finding Adams this way, it’s going to work well. Raiders by 14
Betting trends
Rams are 2-10 ATS in non-conference games the last 3 seasons.
Rams are 4-16 ATS after allowing 400 total yards or more in consecutive games since 1992.
Rams are 7-18 ATS after being outgained by 100 total yards or more in consecutive games since 1992.
Raiders are 1-8 ATS as a road favorite the last 3 seasons.
Raiders are 0-6 ATS in road games after scoring 25 points or more in consecutive games the last 3 seasons.
Statistical leaders
Raiders:
Passing: Derek Carr – 2,980 yards, 20 TD, 8 INT
Rushing: Josh Jacobs – 1,303 yards, 10 TD
Receiving: Davante Adams – 1,176 yards, 12 TD
Defense: Maxx Crosby – 10.5 sacks
Rams:
Passing: Matthew Stafford – 2,087 yards, 10 TD, 8 INT
Rushing: Cam Akers – 334 yards, 3 TD
Receiving: Cooper Kupp – 812 yards, 6 TD
Defense: Three tied – 5 sacks
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert football picks today. And if you enjoyed this Las Vegas Raiders - Los Angeles Rams prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NFL projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
