Pats, Raiders getting preferred treatment
When the NFL released the 2016 game schedule in April, at least a few people probably harbored doubts about the Patriots’ ability to deal Pittsburgh a Week 7 defeat. Ben Roethlisberger’s meniscus tear changed all that.
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With the star signal-caller’s arthroscopic knee surgery rendering him unavailable for today’s clash at Heinz Field, the masses have flocked to their usual No. 1 choice at the betting windows. Eighty-seven percent of individuals like Tom Brady & Co. to improve to 3-0 on the road. Online sports book BetDSI opened New England as a 7.5-point favorite over the Roethlisberger-less Steelers. Taking into account the markedly better health of Rob Gronkowski and other members of the Pats’ cast, such a line makes perfect sense.
Another choice selection this afternoon: Oakland, which hopes to run its mark to 5-2 following a date with Jacksonville. Seventy-eight percent of the general population endorses Jack Del Rio’s team to keep wreaking havoc in the AFC West. Conversely, the Jaguars can’t get any love after successive victories over Indianapolis and Chicago.
In the City of Brotherly Love, the Eagles aren’t exactly basking in support, either. Instead, 76 percent of wagers go the way of the 5-0 Vikings. Minnesota, fresh off a 31-13 pounding of Houston, remains the league’s lone unbeaten club. On the flip side, Philadelphia limps into the 1 p.m. ET matchup. Having dropped two straight contests, Doug Pederson’s crew must avoid falling further behind in the NFC East.
Baltimore’s in similar danger of tumbling down the standings. Yet 73 percent of the crowd prefers the Ravens to the Jets. Despite boasting the home-field advantage here, New York carries a ragged, ailment-stricken collection into the early kickoff. Geno Smith supplants the interception-prone Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback, too, which could result in further dysfunction with respect to Gang Green’s passing attack.
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