DETROIT LIONS VS. OAKLAND RAIDERS – 11/3/2019 FREE PICK & NFL BETTING PREDICTION

Detroit Lions

The Lions snapped a three game losing streak with a narrow win over the Giants on Sunday but a .500 record isn’t going to get it done in the NFC North, or the NFC at all. Detroit has to string some wins together, starting with a road win in Oakland.

The Lions started Sunday’s 31–26 victory with a defensive touchdown and finished it with a really nice sweep flea flicker that went to Kenny Golladay for a 41-yard score.

Golladay caught two more touchdowns and finished with six catches for 123 yards. Danny Amendola finished with eight catches for 95 yards.

But Detroit’s offense went away for stretches of this game due in no small part to the lack of a running game in Kerryon Johnson’s absence.

With Johnson set to miss the rest of the regular season, or at least up until Week 17, the Lions turned to a trio in the backfield.

Tra Carson led the backs with 12 carries for 34 yards. Ty Johnson and Paul Perkins got a combined ten carries, too.

They will need balance on the road, even if it is against the Raiders. They ran for an average of just over 100 yards in their tie at Arizona and win at Philadelphia.

Oakland Raiders

Derek Carr threw for 285 yards and three touchdowns in Houston on Sunday but the Raiders gave up a narrow fourth quarter lead and eventually lost, 27–24.

Not only did Carr throw those three TDs, he didn’t turn it over and didn’t even take a sack as Oakland’s offensive line continued doing a good job of protecting him.

Josh Jacobs ran 15 times for 66 yards but the Raiders’ defense couldn’t stop Deshaun Watson in the second half or Carlos Hyde. Watson threw for 279 and matches Carr’s three TDs. Hyde ran 19 times for 83 yards, including a few big first down scampers in the second half.

Watson escaped what would have been his fourth sack of the day and spun out of a tackler to find Darren Fells for the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth. It illustrated the sort of playmaking that Oakland really lacks. As good of a job as Carr is doing with what’s around him, he lacks dynamic ability that allows Oakland to play a little more outside of the box.

NFL Betting Trends:

• DET are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 games on grass.
• DET are 15-5-1 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
• Over is 6-2 in DET last 8 games in Week 9.
• Over is 8-1 in OAK last 9 games in Week 9.
• Under is 18-6 in OAK last 24 games on grass.
• Over is 20-8-3 in OAK last 31 games in November.

4* Free NFL Betting Prediction: Oakland -2

I’m skeptical of the Lions’ offense on the road. Not only do I like Oakland’s running game better at home, I believe Carr will play the better mistake-free football and get his team a win that will keep Oakland relevant in the AFC.

Oakland’s secondary play is key, however. If Golladay runs free deep, the Raiders won’t be able to play the style they would like to play to win this game.