NFL WEEK 14
GREG COTE’S THURSDAY PICK
RAIDERS (5-7) at RAMS (3-9)
Line: LV by 6.
Cote’s pick: LV, 24-20.
TV: 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Prime Video.
Are you ready, America, for Baker Mayfield 3.0? The desperate Rams claiming Carolina’s discard-QB off waivers adds intrigue or at least curiosity to a Thursday night matchup otherwise falling short of must watch. Might the former Cleveland No. 1 draft pick actually start just two days after touching down in L.A.? The humbled-make-that-disgraced reigning Super Bowl champs — missing stars Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Aaron Donald and others to injuries — might be forlorn enough to give it a go, especially with backup arm John Wolford iffy with a neck injury. Vegas’ league-worst pass defense could make for a soft-ish landing spot for Mayfield, actually. I’m hunching Rams with the points. Derek Carr-to-Davante Adams absolutely torched the Chargers last week, but Jalen Ramsey marking Adams should be a limiting factor.
(Note: Betting line courtesy Caesars Sportsbook as of Wednesday afternoon.)
