Washington is hot right now, having won three straight games to get back into the playoff picture in the NFC. Defense is the biggest reason for the turnaround; the unit is finally playing like it was expected to at the beginning of the season. Washington has given up just 18.0 points over the last four games. Meanwhile the Raiders’ defense has been gashed as of late, allowing at least 30 points in each of their last three games. Washington pulls off the upset.

Regardless of how this game ends up, this line is just about perfect. Two teams kind of figuring things out but both dealing with some rather key injuries. Washington is playing balanced football and quite honestly it's tough to fade them right now, big respect to Rivera and his crew. That said, what happens if Las Vegas dictates the tempo instead of Washington? Can Taylor Heinicke adapt if the 19-play, 11 minute drives aren't available? The Raiders can play in a low scoring affair, but I'm not sure Washington can if this gets in the 30's. Fun for the WFT when they were 2-6 and nothing really mattered. They're actually in the race now, let's see what a little pressure and expectation looks like for them.

This line has drifted down even with the scratches of two essential WFT players with injuries. Pass rusher Landon Collins joins Chase Young on the sidelines, which will grant Vegas QB Derek Carr more time to find targets — especially if TE Darren Waller is out. Further, RB J.D. McKissic, a three-TD scorer on Monday, will be absent. The short turnaround from its last game unduly affects Washington, which is 1-5 ATS versus favorites, while the Raiders have rested since Turkey Day.

Darren Waller (knee) and DeSean Jackson (calf) could miss this game, hampering an offense already missing Henry Ruggs. WFT has won and covered three straight since the bye, as Ron Rivera's teams continue to shine post-bye. This should be another big game for Antonio Gibson, as the Raiders rank 21st in yards per carry allowed (4.4). Look for Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne to continue dominating up front as WFT covers.

The Raiders are coming off a big upset win over the Cowboys that moved this line a point off the lookahead, but that's after losing three straight games. Washington has won three straight, including a big one over Tampa Bay a few weeks back. The Washington defense has been much improved since losing their best edge rushers to injury somehow, and the offense still has room to grow with Logan Thomas and Curtis Samuel getting more reps. Taylor Heinicke and Co. could have a big day against a Raiders defense that has allowed 30-plus points in three straight, and I don't know that Vegas keeps up with Darren Waller expected to be out. I like Washington to come out with the win here.