Hand up, last week was bad. I did not put enough thought into my pick and I let down the OctoPeople. After last week and the week one debacle there will be a new rule going forward- no more overs. I have a propensity for loving every over and that is something I need to recognize and be better about. Overs are off the table until I can win three in a row. But enough about me and the rest stop outside of Toledo that I’m writing this at, we’re on to week 5.
This week we see something that looks eerily similar to something we have seen before (the last and only time the OctoPick hit). The New England Patriots are riding high, coming off a huge road win against a divisional rival and a team some considered to be the best team in the conference in the Buffalo Bills. They’re feeling satisfied, Drake Maye thinks he knows how to play quarterback again, and Mike Vrabel is daydreaming of hikes in Sedona and Italian women. On the other side of the game, the Las Vegas Raiders are coming off a tough, tight loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, who are probably actually the best team in the conference other than the Cleveland Browns. Big Kirk has been playing well, Maxx Crosby is an absolute dog (and now a hungry dog as well), and Klint Kubiak seems to be a good coach and a loyal husband. Foxborough, the city by the bay, is a tough place to play but their lighthouse is more of a fraud than their offense. I hate Tom Brady more than most but I respect him as a winner. Check which side of this game he is on. There is also a revenge game factor here for the Patriots after losing to the Raiders week 1 last year and then going on the most fraudulent Super Bowl run of all time, but no matter. I like the Raiders this week especially at this line. Just win, baby (or at least lose by less than 4).
Official OctoPick: Las Vegas Raiders +3.5