Baltimore Ravens Betting
(11-5, 12-4 AGAINST THE SPREAD): +2000 to win Super Bowl XLIV
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The Ravens were one of the top bets in nfl betting last season because the offense did more than expected. This time around, bettors should beware of the Ravens. The offense won't be surprising oddsmakers and the defense is not what it used to be. Baltimore's opening schedule should provide solid fade spots with big spreads against Kansas City, Cleveland and Cincinnati, and playing the role of the underdog at San Diego and New England.
Ravens Strength:
Quarterback Joe Flacco was one of the big stories of 2008. As a rookie, he helped lead the Ravens to within one win of a Super Bowl appearance. He passed for almost 4,000 yards and connected with receivers 14 times for touchdowns. He gave Baltimore's one-dimensional offense some punch and set up the rushing attack. Flacco was impressive for a rookie but also showed his inexperience – those three interceptions in the AFC Championship game. His accuracy needs work and he has a bad habit of staring down receivers, leading to 12 picks last year.
The Ravens’ running game opens the field up for Flacco. Last season, they marched for the fourth-most yards from scrimmage per game (148.6) and 57.7 percent of the workload on offense. Fullback Le'Ron McClain was another pleasant surprise, rumbling for 900 yards and 10 scores on the ground. He stepped up big in the second half when Willis McGahee struggled. McGahee is wearing down fast and will lose a lot of carries to McClain and the versatile Ray Rice, who missed the end of last year with a shin injury.
Ravens Weakness:
At first glance, the Ravens’ defense should not be among the team's weaknesses. The stop unit ranked second in the league – only to the rival Steelers – and has standouts like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs. But Baltimore bid farewell to the mastermind behind the defense, coordinator Rex Ryan, and the handful of talent he took with him to New York. Also gone is CB Chris McAlister, who had three interceptions before missing the final 10 games of the season.
There is a lot of pressure on Baltimore to keep pace with Pittsburgh's defense but the Ravens just don't have the bodies to do it this season. On top of that, Baltimore's defensive leaders are getting on in age and are susceptible to injuries.
The Ravens’ offense took a nasty blow this offseason when No. 1 receiver Derrick Mason decided to hang up the cleats. At 35 years old, Mason led the team with over 1,000 yards receiving and reeled in five touchdown passes. Without him on the wing, Flacco's options are limited. Receivers Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams are both downfield threats but neither is a prototypical wideout. Tight end Todd Heap will get more looks without Mason but isn't the same weapon like in past seasons.
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Of all the games this weekend, this is the one that is the toughest to figure out. The Ravens have been playing exceptional football as of late, and could go all the way. That being said, the Patriots have been playing terrible football the last few weeks but are still the Patriots
With emotions running high on both sides of the ball, one team (Florida) will benefit greatly. The other will suffer an embarrassing loss on New Year’s Day. Cincinnati is playing without former head coach Brian Kelly, who led the Bearcats to significant success in recent years
Now we’re talking. The Steelers proved last week that they are alive and well, and won’t give up their title without a fight. Baltimore has been playing the best football in the NFL as of late. Both of these teams need this one badly. Pittsburgh to make the playoffs and Baltimore to have an outside shot at the division
We really felt that Baltimore would play better Monday night at Green Bay last week but too many mistakes and penalties cost them the game. Joe Flacco has to stop thinking he is Joe Namath, start to play within himself as he did last year
There was no line at the time of the writing of this column because of the uncertain Pittsburgh QB situation. Charlie Batch is gone, and but it looks like “Indestructible Big Ben”, will play even with his head injury. He has proven before how hard his head is
Virginia coach Al Groh has beaten the Cavaliers’ arch rival Hokies just one time in his nine years at UVA. He and the Cavaliers look to make that number two and possibly avoid his firing this Saturday in Charlottesville. The Hokies are in a down year at 8-3 and will not contend for the ACC Championship,
Not quite the same allure as the Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma, but this week’s Bedlam Rivalry game is Oklahoma State’s Super Bowl. The Cowboys have had a tremendous season so far and Oklahoma is sitting at 6-5, ensured of its worst season since 1999
Boise State doesn’t play too many home games where they are only 14 point favorites, but that is exactly what they are this week when Nevada comes to play on the blue turf. Boise State needs a win this week, and badly. Though the Broncos are 11-0, their only hope for a BCS appearance
Despite an 11-0 record up to this point, Alabama still realistically needs to win its next two games to get into the National Championship. With Florida a perfect 11-0 as well, the Crimson Tide will need to beat Auburn this week and Florida in the SEC Championship
At first glance you might think that it was quite a shocker that Oakland beat Cincinnati last week, but at we said the Bengals were coming off their biggest win in years and might be flat. We also felt that Jamarcus Russell was hindering the Raider offense and the switch to anybody but he was the correct move
This is an interesting matchup. At first look you might ask how the Ravens are favored in this game, but when you look more closely at it, you will see why. If there is any defense that can possibly stop Peyton Manning, it would be Baltimore. The Colts are coming off of a really big win and might be a little flat. The Ravens were embarrassed
Both of these teams have problems. Miami really can’t play offense at the N.F.L. level. They look like a college or high school team at times, with their “Wildcat” offense and their quarterback who throws the ball like a shot put. Another quarterback, who has a funky delivery is Phillip Rivers
The next 2 games that we are picking, we are going a little bit out on a limb. There are 2 home dogs that both played very well last week as huge underdogs. Both teams had opportunities to win outright but didn’t.
Our 13 point teaser bet of the Week begins in Baltimore. We hit on most of our big teasers last week, but the one they we were worried about, and let us down was Cleveland.
The Redskins travel to Charm City in a rematch from last year’s 24-10 Baltimore victory, though neither team bears much resemblance to last season’s squads.
NFL Baltimore Ravens News
- Countdown Daily Season Recap: Ravens
Tedy Bruschi recaps the Ravens' 2009 season and looks ahead to 2010 - ESPN Radio Daily: 11/30
We hear from NBC's Jimmy Roberts on Tiger Woods, Mike Ditka on the NFL, Ravens WR Mark Clayton on beating the Steelers and Todd Blackledge on CFB. Plu... - Ryan's defense by the numbers
Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham When Rex Ryan joined the Baltimore Ravens in 1999, he was trying to prove he belonged in the NFL. ... - Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN Football Guru
Mel says the Ravens got jobbed by the officials against Pittsburgh. Can they rally vs. Dallas? Mel talks about drafting RBs and likes the Panthers and... - Joe Flacco, Ravens QB
Flacco enjoyed his first week in the NFL, scoring on a 38-yard run to help beat Cincy, 17-10. He's looking forward to his first road game at Houston a... - Ravens Two-A-Day
Mike and Erik don't expect to see Joe Flacco starting. Troy Smith is a winner and an impressive person. The O-line will struggle without Jonathan Ogde... - Tiger-Federer
Is Tiger rooting for Roger Federer over Andy Roddick un-American? Is Randy Moss happy with the Raiders' direction? The Ravens, Bengals and Bears looke... - Undermanned D
NFL: Ravens LB Bart Scott says the whole defense had to play harder without Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. - Wright Stuff
NFL: Ravens TE Todd Heap says QB Anthony Wright got the job done in Baltimore's win over Cleveland.




