Gruden’s Raiders will hang in there at Heinz
The Wildcat returns for his 25th season in The Post. including the 19972020 seasons in the Bettor’s Guide, Cat’s record in print stands at 652-561 (53.8 percent) against the spread.
Raiders (+5.5) over STEELERS: During their opening-week Monday nighter, Vegas lost its security blanket when backup quarterback Marcus Mariota was knocked out for an indefinite period. But the visitors will be psyched to put up a maximum effort, even given the challenge of the 1 p.m. Eastern start time. Coach Jon Gruden has coaxed stout early-season performance levels throughout his Silver and Black stint. Vegas for one unit. Cowboys (+3) over CHARGERS:
Not always thrilled by Dallas coach Mike McCarthy’s strategic calls, but given the matchups, it’s no cinch first-year Bolts coach Brandon Staley will manage to stage a rout in this spot. The Dallas franchise managed to engineer meaningful improvement off 2015’s 4-12 record, and have the chance to snap back no less forcefully after 2020’s 6-10 showing. Not sold the Chargers are clearly superior to Dak Prescott’s now-healthier Cowboys crew. Dallas squares its seasonal record, for one unit.
LAST WEEK: 2-0. Texans (W). Rams (W).
Follow Richard Witt on Twitter: @rich_witt1.