There is a widespread perception that the Raiders crazies -- a term used endearingly -- will root their team to greater heights in likely the last game in Oakland. No amount of rabidness can make up for Oakland starting up to six rookies as its looks to next season in ... who knows? Denver has dominated the series ATS, going 9-4-1 for the past seven years, and has covered in all but one of the past five away dates.

The Raiders have shown up big for their last two home games, beating Pittsburgh and covering vs. the Chiefs. In what could potentially be the last NFL game in Oakland, expect another big effort and a tight game throughout. Denver has a lame-duck coach who has cost his team two wins. Grab the points.

I'm hopping on the Raiders while this line is +3, because they're playing like a team trying to win games and the Broncos aren't. How else can you explain Vance Joseph's befuddling pass-heavy gameplan against the Browns when his team still had a playoff shot? The Raiders are coming off a bad loss to the Bengals but the defense showed up, holding Denver to 3.9 yards per play. The Raiders will play hard for Jon Gruden and their fans in what could be the last home game in Oakland ever, depending on how their plans develop during the offseason, and the Raiders get the win.

Both these defenses rank in the bottom third in yards allowed, but the major difference is in points allowed. The Raiders allow 29.9 ppg and the Broncos allow 21.4 ppg. The Broncos also have 42 QB sacks, 14.5 by Von Miller and 12 by rookie Bradley Chubb. Oakland has just 12 sacks, the NFL's fewest, which should allow Case Keenum more time to find all his new receivers. This could possibly be the last game at Oakland with the city suing the team, but that doesn't change the fact that the Raiders simply aren't very good. Don't buy into the emotional stuff. Denver is off two losses, both with several new players at key positions. The Broncos will be better acclimated this week. Denver wins and covers.