New England Patriots (2-1) @ Oakland Raiders (2-1)
Line: Patriots -4
The difficult task for the Patriots is being every up and coming team’s measuring stick. The Patriots will get everyone’s best shot throughout the course of the season. The advantage New England has is the greatest coach of all time capable of tempering expectations, keeping the team humble, and getting a squad to turn it around after a disappointing outing; possessing the greatest quarterback to ever play never hurts either. The Raiders can control this game in the trenches; the zone blocking scheme that has made Darren McFadden a star has really taken form as a top flight ground game. However, as I’ve stated several times, this isn’t 2001 any more; running the ball and controlling the clock doesn’t win games any more. A team must keep up with the Patriots just like Buffalo did and get the lucky bounces in the form of a couple of tipped passes turned INT.
