New York Jets vs. Oakland Raiders Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

The Oakland Raiders (3-3) will try to win consecutive games for the second time this season when they host the New York Jets (4-2) Sunday.

The Raiders upset the Baltimore Ravens 37-33 as six-point home underdogs back in Week 2 and followed that up with a 27-20 road victory against the Cleveland Browns as 3.5-point dogs. They are also coming off a 37-29 road win versus the San Diego Chargers last week as 3.5-point dogs, while the Jets lost at the New England Patriots 30-23 as seven-point dogs.

Point spread: The Jets opened as 2.5-point favorites; the total was 44.5 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)

NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 24.4-22.0 Jets

Why the Jets can cover the spread

New York led New England 23-20 in the fourth quarter, proving that this team can play with the best in the league. Unfortunately for the Jets, they could not stop future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady, who picked them apart en route to another classic performance with 355 yards and two touchdowns.

Fortunately, though, Oakland’s second-year signal-caller Derek Carr is not Brady, and he will be facing arguably the toughest defense of his young career.

The Raiders are also just 1-10 straight up and against the spread in their last 11 games after winning as underdogs, which obviously comes into play here. While Oakland looks to be much improved under first-year head coach Jack Del Rio, this team is still young and deserves to be a home dog in this spot versus a veteran squad in New York.

Why the Raiders can cover the spread

The Raiders are thriving right now under Del Rio, who has given his players new confidence that they can compete with any team in the league. Whether that is truly the case remains to be seen, but they have already totaled as many wins as they had all of last season. Carr has been solid in his sophomore year with 11 touchdown passes and just three interceptions while providing the offense with a leader.

Carr has also clearly benefited from the addition of rookie wide receiver Amari Cooper, who totaled 133 yards on five catches and scored a touchdown last week at San Diego.

Cooper’s presence opens up Oakland’s offense and gives the team a deep threat it has not had in a long time. He stretches the field and will make the Jets respect the passing game, giving Raiders running back Latavius Murray some opportunities on the ground.

Smart pick

Del Rio has done a great job in Oakland so far, but he will not be the best first-year head coach in this game. New York’s Todd Bowles is a strong candidate for NFL Coach of the Year honors despite the loss to the Patriots, which is nothing to be ashamed of.

Like Del Rio, Bowles has a defensive background and will find a way to limit Carr, and Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis will shut down Cooper as they win and cover the spread.

Betting trends

The Raiders are 1-10 SU and ATS in their last 11 games after winning as an underdog.

The Jets are 3-0 SU and ATS in their last three games after a loss.

The Jets are 6-14 SU in their last 20 games on the road.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark, and all quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.