EDITORIAL BY GRAYDON FOX

Prizes:

1st Place: $25 Amazon gift card

2nd-5th Place: $10 Amazon gift card

If there are ties, a random drawing will determine the winner.

Top 5 Winners:

1. Shawn E Keyzer (358 points)
2. Gothgirl1988 (358 points)
3. Harvey Pitteard (350 points)
4. Darren Huserik (350 points)
5. Mjostrze (350 points)

Overview:

On Monday, September 10^th, the Los Angeles Rams will be on the road to take on the Oakland Raiders in the opening week of the 2018 NFL season.

The Crowd:

“The Crowd” is projecting a final score of Rams 26.3 – Raiders 21.7 with an over/under of 48.0.

2017-18 Statistics (32 total teams):

Yards per game:  Rams 361.5 (10^th) > Raiders 324.1 (17^th)

Points per game: Rams 29.9 (1^st) > Raiders 18.8 (23^rd)

Turnover margin: Rams +7 > Raiders -14

Yards allowed per game: Rams 339.5 (19^th) > Raiders 350.1 (23^rd)

Points allowed per game: Rams 20.6 (12^th) > Raiders 23.3 (20^th)

Summary:

The Rams were (11-5) in 2017 and ended a 13-year playoff drought.  The early exit delivered by the Atlanta Falcons doesn’t mask what the Rams were able to accomplish.  Quarterback Jared Goff made a huge sophomore leap passing for over 3,800 yards with 28 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.  Running back Todd Gurley II was sensational compiling over 2,000 total yards and 19 touchdowns.  The Rams led the league in points scored with a well-balanced mix of pass and run.  All-Pro defensive end Aaron Donald signed a massive contract and will lead a defense that should be much improved. The additions of Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib should shore up a secondary that was the weakness of the defense last season.  Pairing Ndamukong Suh with Aaron Donald is almost unfair giving the Rams arguably the most formidable defensive line in the league.  The Rams (+149) ranked 3^rd in point differential last season.

The Raiders were (6-10) in 2017 and finished 3^rd place in the AFC West Division.  Jon Gruden signed a $100 million contract to be the head coach and he will have a tall task in front of him.  The Raiders have the NFL’s oldest roster and they just traded away All-Pro defensive end Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears for multiple high draft picks.  Quarterback Derek Carr threw for over 3,400 yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.  Running back Marshawn Lynch isn’t getting any younger and the team’s top wideout Amari Cooper struggled with drops last season.  The Raiders have a decent offensive line and some players in the secondary but it’s going to be another long year in Oakland.  The Raiders (-72) ranked 25^th in the NFL in point differential in 2017.

Bottom Line:

The Rams should be able to wear down the Raiders with a heavy dose of Todd Gurley II both in the running game and the passing game.  The Rams will load up the box on Marshawn Lynch and dare Derek Carr to throw on their elite corners.  I expect Aaron Donald and the Rams defense to force a few turnovers that will be the difference in this one.

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