The set-up: I think many believe that the Raiders will have a "letdown" here after their big Monday Night Football win at home over the Saints, but I don't. I think many also believe that the Patriots are going to explode here after their close setback in Seattle last Sunday night, but I don't. The Patriots looked pretty mediocre at home in their Week 1 win over the Dolphins and I think they'll have their hands full here vs. this Raiders team which is suddenly firing on all cylinders. Derek Carr had 282 yards passing and three TD's, while Josh Jacobs had 88 yards on 27 carries, after running for 93 yards and three TD's in Week 1. The defense has been the weak point, but the offense has a 75 percent success rate in the red zone.

The pick: Cam Newton had 397 yards passing vs. the Seahawks last week, but Seattle's defense is a mess. Newton has been great early, but RB Sony Michel has been a no show for the most part, last week he posted 56 yards. Last week the Pats' defense was lit up for 35 points and I believe it'll struggle again here vs. this dynamic Raiders' offenese. I think the Raiders are playing better through all three phases and while I'll stop short in calling for an outright upset, everything points to this one being a "nail biter."

This is an 8* ANNIHILATOR on the Las Vegas Raiders.