Detroit at Las Vegas

The Oakland Raiders have been on the short end of a pair of games that played just the opposite of each other. They lost a defensive struggle to Dallas 3-0, and then a shootout in Arizona 31-27. In his first year, Dennis Allen is needs to get his critics under control, especially after starting 0-2. That way he and his team can open the season with something to feel good about, and ease the tension. It has been a long time since the Raiders have contended, but they are close. They were 7-4 a year ago before collapsing down the stetch to miss the playoffs once again. Detroit has been great here under Jim Schwartz at 11-3, but much like Dennis Allen he had much to prove, inheriting a team that had not won in quite some time. The Lions got over the top and into the playoffs, and this game is not as important anymore. I think the Raiders are a bargain here as a home dog. The Lions have performed very badly in recent years vs. teams that are in need of a win to get off the schneid (teams off back-to-back straight-up losses). In this situation, the Lions have losing seven of their last eight ATS. Play on Oakland.