NFL Bargain Bets: Week 3
September 19th 2008
by Old Man Winner

Buffalo Bills (-9) vs Oakland Raiders       

I'm going with Buffalo for the second week in a row. I know their run has to end sooner or later, but I don't think it will be against the lowly Raiders.

Let's face it - The Raiders are a shell (pun intended) of a team. Their organization is in total dissaray, and its exceedingly difficult to not have it impact the team's performance. The team has no true General Manager, their coach is not allowed to run the team and could be fired any day, and the most important pieces of their biggest strength, their run game, are banged up. Fargas is out, McFaddden is questionable and their left tackle, Kwame Harris will likely not play. For a third back in the NFL, Michael Bush is very good, but he is not going to be able to carry this team.

As for Buffalo, their confidence builds every week. Trent Edwards continues to look like a very solid quarterback. He's smart (Stanford) and isn't going to turn the ball over very often. Their offensive line has played well and they have quality talent at RB and WR. However, its their defense that has been turning heads. They've only given up 26 pts. in their first two games. Oh, and their special teams are top notch having already scored one return TD this year.

The Raiders can not throw the ball, and Buffalo is way more equipped to stop the run than either of the Raiders first two opponents. Bills should cover easily.