The Seattle Seahawks have taken the lead in the NFC West, but now they’ll play one of their chief rivals from their days in the old AFC West, as they take on the Oakland Raiders.

NFL Betting: Seattle Seahawks @ Oakland Raiders

Online Betting Odds: Raiders -2.5

Why To Bet On The Seahawks

Obviously, the Seahawks, at 4-2, are in good shape with almost half of the season now in the rearview mirror. Seattle looked really bad earlier in the season in ugly losses to St. Louis and Denver, but now coach Pete Carroll has his defense playing extremely well. Seattle shut out Arizona in the first half of this past Sunday’s game and delivered a clutch red-zone stand to sustain momentum in the second half en route to a 22-10 win that firmed up the team’s position atop the NFC West. Arizona, with backup quarterback Derek Anderson leading the charge, had sliced a 16-0 deficit to 19-7 and had a first-and-goal at the Seattle eight-yard line at the end of the third quarter. With just eight more yards, the Cardinals would have been able to pull within five points (19-14) and create a tense fourth quarter.

However, at the start of the fourth period, with the Cards facing second-and-goal from the six, the Seahawks forced two incomplete passes and made Arizona settle for a field goal that didn’t accomplish very much at all. The Seahawks preserved a two-possession lead (19-10) and then established their running game with Marshawn Lynch in the fourth quarter to salt away the win. The Seahawks are excelling on defense, and their special teams have also been fantastic this season. Kicker Olindo Mare hit all five field goals in the win over Arizona, but what’s even more amazing is that he made four other field goals that were subsequently wiped out by penalties. If Oakland’s offense isn’t up to the challenge on Sunday, the Seahawks will be in very good shape.

Why To Bet On The Raiders

Oakland entered this past weekend having won just two games, and the Raiders were also smarting from an ugly loss against the equally bad San Francisco 49ers. Now, though, Oakland has reason to think it can climb to .500 now that the midway point of the season is approaching.

Why is there cause for optimism in the Raiders’ camp? Oakland merely marched into Denver this past Sunday and thumped the hated Broncos by a jawdropping 59-14 margin. Oakland outrushed Denver by an eye-popping differential of 253 yards. The Raiders rolled up 328 yards on the ground while the shell-shocked Broncos mustered just 75. Oakland running back Darren McFadden galloped for 165 yards on just 16 carries, good for an average of over 10 yards per carry. The Raiders were so dominant that they accumulated a mammoth 31-0 lead just one minute into the second quarter. Not the second half, but the second quarter. If this team can play with similar passion and precision, the Seahawks won’t have a chance this week.

How The Game Will Play Out

Seattle has faced multiple teams that have gift-wrapped points for the Seahawks this season. Don’t expect Oakland to do the same thing. Seattle’s offense is poor, and with the Raiders gaining confidence while also playing on their home field, Oakland should win what is essentially a pick ‘em game… but shouldn’t be.

Seahawks Raiders Betting Pick: Raiders

Article Information from BetOnline.com