Week 2 NFL Preseason Pick: August 17th 2012
Oakland Raiders vs. Arizona Cardinals
Current line: Arizona (-5.5/37)

Oakland visits U. of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale for a 10pmET matchup with the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona won this matchup last year in the first game of preseason, 24-18, getting 3 from Oakland. The Raiders were shut out on Monday night, 3-0, giving 1, while Arizona is 0-2 in preseason after losing to Kansas City, 27-17 on the road. This is their first home game.

Weather: 88 degrees and 30% chance of rain.

Oakland is coming off a 8-8 SU season, and they were 9-6-1 ATS and 6-10 Under. Last year, they went 0-4 ATS in the preseason. Allen is in his first year as head coach in the NFL.Arizona was 8-8 SU, 7-7-2 ATS and 7-9 Under last year. They also went 2-1-1 ATS last year in preseason. Ken Whisenhunt is 7-13 SU, 8-11-1 ATS and 10-7 Over in preseason.

CLICK HERE FOR FREE FOOTBALL PICKS FROM ATS CONSULTANTS

Outlook:
Oakland is led by QB Carson Palmer, who they traded early-round picks to the Bengals for. Palmer struggled with turnovers but did show a strong arm. Now he has to adjust to OC Greg Knapp’s west coast offense. At running back, Darren McFadden returns with his great speed but also has injury injury issues. On defense, they have to improve the pass defense (27th) and run defense (27th). Without a pick in the first two rounds, that will be difficult. They added corners Shawntae Spencer and Ron Bartell, who will probably start right away.

Oakland’s offense is coming off a rather sluggish showing of its own this past week, gaining a mediocre 253 total yards in Monday’s 3-0 shutout setback to Dallas that marked Dennis Allen’s first game as the team’s head coach. Starting quarterback Carson Palmer was intercepted on the Raiders’ opening possession and hit on just 3-of-6 attempts for 33 yards before exiting.

On a more positive note, the Raiders’ defense held the Cowboys to 202 total yards and a 2-of-10 success rate on third downs, and there were bright spots on the offensive side on the night. One was the healthy return of Darren McFadden in the impact running back’s first game action since October of last season.

McFadden, limited to seven games in 2011 by a nagging foot sprain, had 20 yards on his two rushes while adding an 18-yard reception. He’ll likely see an slightly increased workload on Friday, especially with main backups Mike Goodson (neck) and Taiwan Jones (hamstring) to miss a second straight week.

Wide receiver Rod Streater, attempting to make Oakland’s roster as an undrafted rookie, also impressed with a six-catch, 66-yard effort. With projected starting wideout Denarius Moore still bothered by a strained hamstring, the college free agent could also be in line for a heavier role on Friday.

The Cards made some strides last season under coach Ken Whisenhunt, but will need to find a quarterback. Kevin Kolb can’t seem to stay healthy or consistent and John Skelton may have surpassed him. But they do have WR Larry Fitzgerald and big rookie WR Michael Floyd.

Kolb has his best — and perhaps last — chance to grab hold of the open No. 1 quarterback job that he’s close to letting slip away with a pair of poor displays in Arizona’s first two contests of this preseason. The expected starter went 1-of-4 for a paltry four yards and one interception in an injury- shortened stint against New Orleans in the Aug. 5 Hall of Fame Game, and wasn’t effective again in the Cardinals’ 27-17 loss at Kansas City last week. Relieving competitor John Skelton in the second quarter, Kolb completed only one of his five attempts for 21 yards while failing to generate any points.

The sixth-year pro will still get the starting nod in Friday’s matchup, with Skelton presently slated to begin next week’s game against Miami. That could change if Kolb bounces back with a strong effort against the Raiders, however, especially after the Cardinals handed the struggling signal-caller a $7 million option bonus back in March.

Skelton, who won five of seven starts in relief of an injured Kolb last season, hasn’t taken advantage of his opportunity either. The strong-armed 24- year-old was an unimpressive 3-of-6 for 35 yards with an interception against the Chiefs.

Arizona had greater success running the football in the Kansas City game, with deep reserve William Powell ripping off 92 yards and a touchdown on only nine carries and Alfonso Smith adding 40 yards on nine attempts. Both players figure to receive less reps this week, though, with top options Ryan Williams and Beanie Wells both nearing a return from knee injuries that have sidelined each for the first two outings.

Williams, Arizona’s second-round choice in the 2011 draft who spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve with a torn patella tendon, is slated to make his long-awaited return against the Raiders. Wells, who produced 1,047 yards and 10 touchdowns a year ago, was activated from the physically unable to perform list last week and has a chance to see action in the Cardinals’ home preseason opener as well.

The Cardinals will also be making a change on the offensive line, with journeyman D’Anthony Batiste taking over for veteran Jeremy Bridges at right tackle in a performance-related switch.

Key Injuries: Oakland: RB Mike Goodson (neck) is out. WR Denarius Moore (ham) is ? LB Aaron Curry (knee) is out indef. Arizona: RB Beanie Wells (knee) is out. TE Jeff King (quad) is out. CB Michael Adams (ham) and LB Paris Lenon (ankle) are ?

Be sure to visit ATSsportsline.com this year for winning football picks and expert football betting information from their team of experts. If you enjoyed this Raiders vs. Cardinals Week 2 NFL preseason picks article, then be sure to get even more wagering advice from ATS Consultants by signing up for their sports picks newsletter.