NFL Preseason - St. Louis Rams at Oakland Raiders 10:00 PM EST
The Rams are currently a 2-point favorite with a total of 37.5 at sportsbook.com for tonight's preseason matchup.
A pair of .500 teams will do business in Oakland, as St. Louis pays a visit. The Raiders have a three-pronged race for the starting quarterback position with Daunte Culpepper, Josh McCown and Andrew Walter all in the mix.
The confounding aspect for Raiders faithful is why the number one pick in the draft JaMarcus Russell is still unsigned and not being able to show off his skills.
Culpepper will get the start and appears to have the lead in the QB derby. He was the best of the three last week and can wrap up the starting position with similar results this time.
If he should falter, Walter’s has played the next best, yet still made costly mistakes.
The running game is unsettled with new offensive line and no running backs establishing themselves.
Running back Steven Jackson will see his most extensive work of the summer against Oakland, preparing for the home opener against Carolina.
The passing game has been putting up good numbers at 257 yards a game, still the five turnovers to none has coach Scott Linehan concerned.
One part of the offense Linehan has not been worried about is the development of rookie RB Brian Leonard. He doesn't do spectacular things, but rarely loses yards in the running game, and fights for extra yards. He has done well in pass protection, and will now begin getting some work as a fullback.
St. Louis has been a sorry group when favored with at 14-24 ATS record. After going four years without being a road favorite, the Rams will be again for the second time this season as a two point choice.
The downside is St. Louis is 4-17 ATS after playing a game at home. The Raiders have hosted the Rams three times since 1993, winning each one and covering twice.
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