Week 7 NFL Picks 2011: While everyone is waiting for Hue Jackson’s decision on whether quarterback Carson Palmer will play in Sunday’s game, there may be a bigger concern in Oaktown. The franchise’s leaders scorer, kicker Sebastian Janikowski is expected to sit out when the (4-2) Oakland Raiders [-4] take on the visiting, NFL Odds underdog (2-3) Kansas City Chiefs [+4].
Seabass, who missed practice this week due to a sore left hamstring, is not expected to be there in case the 
Raiders need some long-distance points late in the game. Instead, the organization tried out three free agent kickers this week in Dave Rayner, Ricky Schmitt and Rhys Lloyd. Get $50 in Free NFL Picks Here!
“We’ll see as we continue to move forward but my goal is to make sure I have enough players to play and healthy bodies that can get the job done,” Jackson said. “It’s a huge part of our football team if (Janikowski) can’t go. We’ll get somebody that can. That’s the way it goes.”
Much like most of his NFL career, Janikowski has been the Raiders’ most reliable scorer with his unlimited range. This season, the former first round pick has successfully converted on 12 of his 13 attempts, including a record-tying 63 yarder.
In addition, five of his other kicks have come from 50 or more this year, so he’s been a huge weapon for Jackson and the Raiders coaching staff. Oakland would be missing a key ingredient to its offense in case he can’t play, as Seabass has become indispensable for the Silver and Black.
“With Sebastian out there in the field our offense just needs to get the ball across the 50 in certain situations,” said Raiders long-snapper Jon Condo. “That might have some effect on our offense and the driving range … but we have one of the best punters in the league to kick it inside the 5-, 10-yard line.”
My Week 7 NFL Picks 2011 for the Chiefs at Raiders: The fact that Jackson is hesitant to announce his starting quarterback leads me to believe that Palmer will either start, or come in early in the game. This is a great strategy employed by the Raiders and their coaching staff, as NFL Betting Odds makers have already began bringing down a betting line that was almost at a touchdown and a point after for Oakland [-6½]. The Raiders at +4 is a bet I would be willing to take!
