They could play this game on the moon, and I'm still taking the Patriots to keep the Raiders' defense on their heels for four quarters and cover a touchdown spread. There's no doubt that the oddsmakers are giving Oakland a little extra juice for the absolutely fire Mexico City crowd that will be cheering it on Sunday, but that doesn't suddenly make the players better. New England just dominated Denver at high altitude and has been practicing in it all week to get ready for this game. Wins over Miami and a porous Kansas City defense do not make me suddenly believe in this version of the silver and black attack.

This total has gotten out of hand and now there's value on the Under. I'm projecting 49 points for Patriots-Raiders in Mexico City, with the Under cashing in 65 percent of my computer simulations.

The Patriots’ totals have soared into the mid-50s three times this season. The Under easily scored twice, with 30 and 33 points tallied, and missed by only a point in the other game with 56 rung up. New England games have landed Under in four of the past five overall and nine of 11 on grass fields, which applies here. Plus, Oakland has not lived up to its billing as an offensive powerhouse.

I love laying this amount of points with a team on a neutral field, and ditto when it's the best team in the league. Back in 2012, the Pats were favored by seven on a neutral field against the Rams and won 45-7. Laying the points with teams that are favorites by four or more on a neutral field has been a consistent winner, and there's no reason to go against it here with Tom Brady up against an atrocious Raiders defense and the Patriots defense playing better. Lay whatever number of points you need to on this line.

The Raiders, who have zero interceptions all season, struggle in most defensive aspects. But they're especially weak defending passes to running backs and tight ends. Now they face a New England team that's the best in the league at that. The Patriots prepared for the high altitude in Mexico City by staying out in Colorado after their blowout win in Denver. Oakland's only edge in this game is extra rest. That's not enough. While I wish I had gotten 6.5, I'll still lay a touchdown with a New England team hitting its stride and playing to the level everyone expected before the season. And I don't care that every public bettor also is on the Pats.

The Patriots are on a roll while the Raiders have won two of three and are coming off a bye week. Despite Oakland's seeming momentum, my projections show New England shredding the Raiders' sad-sack defense and covering easily in Mexico City. Bank on the defending champs.

The Patriots continue to find ways to be a multifaceted offensive attack. Their ‘key player’ changes from week-to-week on that side of the ball. That is what makes them very tough to defend. Also, their defense is slowly getting better. Lay the points.

Wow, so sorry England for all the slug games we send you, but Mexico City gets an epic one Sunday with the Patriots and Raiders. This is like a home game for the Raiders. Mexico City loves the Raiders, as in it's their home team and they own shirts. Expect a sea of black in the crowd. I think the Patriots have a major edge here though, having just played in Denver's high altitude to prepare them for being higher at 7,200 feet above sea level at Estadio Azteca. Plus, another big point: the Patriots are simply much better than the Raiders. New England has won five straight (4-1 ATS), holding those opponents to just 13 ppg. Mexico City will love Tom Brady after this game. Patriots keep rolling, and cover.