BALTIMORE vs CINCINNATI
When: 1/3/2021 1:00 PM
Where:

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: 13.5
PREDICTION: CINCINNATI , BALTIMORE

Oddsmakers currently have the CINCINNATI listed as 13.5 point favorites versus the BALTIMORE, while the game’s total is sitting at 44.

The Baltimore Ravens will look to punch their ticket for a third straight trip to the playoffs with a win Sunday over host Cincinnati, which has won two straight games.

The Ravens (10-5) clinch a spot in the AFC playoffs by beating the Bengals (4-10-1), or if the Cleveland Browns (10-5) lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3), or via a loss by the Indianapolis Colts (10-5) to the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-14).

The Ravens could also get in with a tie, if the Dolphins (10-5) lose to the Buffalo Bills (11-3) or if the Tennessee Titans (10-5) lose to the Houston Texans (4-11). If the Ravens and the Colts or Browns also tie, the Ravens would advance.

“You try not to look too far elsewhere, but we control our own fate, and that’s a great feeling,” Ravens tight end Mark Andrews said. “We’re just trying to get better and win this game, and the cards will fall how they fall.”

The Bengals are seeking to end the season on a three-game winning streak by defeating the Ravens for the first time in five meetings dating back to a 34-23 win in Cincinnati on Sept. 13, 2018.

The Ravens, who are coming off a victory over the New York Giants on Sunday, have won four straight games to control their postseason destiny.

“Obviously, we still have another one that we have to win,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “So, we’re still in the process of trying to finish this thing out the right way and get into the playoffs.”

Lamar Jackson has fueled the Ravens’ surge, throwing for 2,644 yards with 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has also rushed for a team-high 908 yards and seven touchdowns, leading a rushing attack that also features Gus Edwards (663 yards, six TDs) and rookie J.K. Dobbins (645 yards, seven TDs).

The Ravens are the only team in the NFL history — based on data since 1932 — with three players who have rushed for at least 600 yards and six touchdowns in a season.

The Bengals have played their two best games of the season in consecutive weeks, following a 27-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15 with a 37-31 win at Houston on Sunday.

Quarterback Brandon Allen threw for a career-high 371 yards, two touchdowns and a 126.5 passer rating against the Texans.

Tee Higgins, who is questionable for Sunday’s game (hamstring), had six catches for 99 yards and a score and Samaje Perine added 13 carries for 95 yards and two touchdowns as Cincinnati posted 540 yards of total offense. Perine will start against the Ravens after head coach Zac Taylor said Joe Mixon, the team’s leading rusher with 428 yards, remains sidelined with a foot injury suffered in Week 6.

Allen was forced into action after Joe Burrow, the top pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, tore his left ACL and MCL and also suffered partial tears to his PCL and meniscus during a 20-9 loss to Washington on Nov. 22.

“Winning two games in a row is really insignificant in this NFL, but it is significant for us right now, just everybody seeing what we’ve been through,” Taylor told the Cincinnati Enquirer. “It means a lot to these guys and something to build off of.”

The Ravens had nine players sit out practice Wednesday including receiver Willie Snead (ankle), defensive backs Jimmy Smith (ribs, shoulder), Marcus Peters (calf) and Marlon Humphrey (shoulder), running back Mark Ingram (illness) and defensive end Calais Campbell (calf). Punter Sam Koch was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and his availability for Sunday’s game is unclear.

Cincinnati linebackers Logan Wilson (ankle) and Jordan Evans (hamstring), receiver Tyler Boyd (concussion) and center B.J. Finney (abdomen) all missed practice Wednesday after not playing against the Texans last week.

The post BALTIMORE vs. CINCINNATI 1/3/2021 NFL Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

NY GIANTS vs BALTIMORE
When: 12/27/2020 1:00 PM
Where:

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: -10.5
PREDICTION: BALTIMORE , NY GIANTS

Oddsmakers currently have the BALTIMORE listed as -10.5 point favorites versus the NY GIANTS, while the game’s total is sitting at 43.5.

The Baltimore Ravens look to continue their late-season charge toward a playoff spot when they host the New York Giants on Sunday.

The Ravens (9-5) are taking aim at a fourth straight victory as they navigate what is essentially a four-team derby to claim the three AFC wild-berths.

Baltimore sits outside the playoff race and will need some help over the final two weeks to land a spot. The Miami Dolphins are also 9-5 but hold the tiebreaker edge over Baltimore for the final spot.

“Being honest, we’re just going to let it take care of itself,” Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson said. “We’re not focused on the outside, or other teams and stuff like that. We’re focused on ourselves because we can’t peak too early and we can’t peak too soon at anything right now.

“We’ve just got to focus on the Giants because that’s a good team that we’re going to face on Sunday. It’s about finishing for us right now.”

Left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., who was named a Pro Bowler for the second time earlier this week, doesn’t want to hear anything about scenarios or how oddsmakers rate Baltimore’s chances.

“My focus is on the Giants and going out there and playing the best game of my career,” Brown said. “We understand the playoffs are there, and getting there is important. But it’s important that we win the next game.”

No disputes there as a loss to the Giants (5-9) would leave the Ravens in a dire situation heading into the final week.

New York is one game behind the Washington Football Team in the NFC East but has scored just 13 total points while losing its last two games.

Colt McCoy filled in at quarterback in the 20-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 15, but the Giants are hopeful starter Daniel Jones will return Sunday.

Jones is dealing with hamstring and ankle injuries and was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice. Coach Joe Judge said he would like to see how Jones progresses before making a decision.

“Look, in a perfect world, I’d love to have an answer as soon as possible,” Judge said. “I’m not going to go ahead and set a time mark on this. But we’ll come out of Friday, Friday after practice, with some kind of an answer.”

Jones said he is itching to play after sitting out two of the past three weeks. He sees time running out on the season and feels the urgency.

“I’m doing everything I can to get back out there,” Jones said. “Every week you want to play. I did all I could last week, and that’s certainly my approach this week. I’m working as hard as I can. I really do want to be out there with the guys and go after a win on Sunday.”

Tight end Evan Engram (calf) also was limited on Wednesday. Engram, who has a team-leading 54 receptions, was named a Pro Bowler for the first time earlier this week.

Standout linebacker Blake Martinez (128 tackles) leads the New York defense, and the big question on his mind is how to stop Jackson, who has passed for 2,461 yards and 21 touchdowns while also rushing for 828 yards and seven scores.

“Oh yeah, he’s one of those special guys, and I think everyone knows it,” Martinez said. “It’s one of those things you obviously as a competitor, for me, you want to go against guys like that. But it just adds the extra heightened awareness to make sure that you’re extremely perfect in all fundamental aspects of your game going into that.”

Baltimore’s defensive stars include cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who leads the NFL with eight forced fumbles and was named a Pro Bowler for the second time.

Defensive end Calais Campbell (calf) and cornerback Marcus Peters (calf) are among the nine Ravens who missed practice on Wednesday.

No matter who is cleared to play, Baltimore’s focus will remain on itself as it looks to notch a pivotal victory.

“The focus really for us is going to be on taking care of our business,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “It doesn’t matter what anybody else does if we don’t take care of our job. Our job is to win. We’ve got to find a way to win this week. We can control how we play.”

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CLEVELAND vs BALTIMORE
When: 9/13/2020 1:00 PM
Where:

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: -9
PREDICTION: BALTIMORE , CLEVELAND

Oddsmakers currently have the BALTIMORE listed as -9 point favorites versus the CLEVELAND, while the game’s total is sitting at 48.

The post CLEVELAND vs. BALTIMORE 9/13/2020 NFL Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

At the point, the Ravens will turn their attention toward keeping their former teammate clear of quarterback Lamar Jackson.

”To see his face on the scouting report is pretty funny. It’s crazy,” Baltimore guard Marshal Yanda said. ”We can talk before the game and we can talk after the game, but during the game it’s business.”

For 16 years, Suggs was Baltimore’s premier pass rusher. In addition to establishing the franchise record for sacks, Suggs provided leadership and comic relief on the field and in the locker room.

During this past offseason, however, the 36-year-old opted to return to his roots and signed a one-year, $7 million contract with Arizona.

When Suggs saw the Cardinals were playing the second game of the season in Baltimore, he began preparing for a strange, nostalgic journey.

”It’s kind of a unique situation, isn’t it? It’s kind of weird,” he said. ”Once it hit me that it was actually (Baltimore’s) home opener, that’s when I was kind of like, `Wow.’ That’s when the craziness of it kind of set in.”

Suggs launched the second stanza of his career with four tackles and two sacks in Arizona’s season-opening tie with Detroit. If the Ravens (1-0) are to build on their 59-10 rout of Miami, they’re going to have to stop their old friend from creating havoc in the backfield.

”I’m going to have to bring it,” tight end Mark Andrews said. ”Everyone on this team is going to have to bring it with him. He’s a beast.”

After Ray Lewis retired, Suggs was always the last defensive player introduced to the crowd. On Sunday, he’ll come out with the Cardinals, but surely will be recognized for his past accomplishments in Baltimore.

”I don’t know how I’m going to feel,” he said. ”This is something that in 17 years I’ve never experienced, so this is going to be a first.”

Some things to know about the first meeting between Arizona and Baltimore since 2015:

JACKSON’S ENCORE

After throwing for 324 yards and five touchdowns against the Dolphins, Jackson will be looking to keep the offense rolling in Game 2 of his second NFL season.

He said his objective is to ”try to put on a show.”

Jackson proved last week that he can pass the ball as well as run with it.

”I had a whole year to get chemistry down pat, study a lot, work hard on throwing the ball,” he said.

QUITE A DEBUT

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray brought his team back from an 18-point, fourth-quarter deficit and finished 29 of 54 for 308 yards and two touchdowns.

The 2018 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall selection in the draft is the first player in franchise history to throw for 300 yards in his debut.

Jackson and Murray both have a Heisman in their trophy case and have the potential to shine as pros for years to come.

”In my opinion, they’re two guys that can be the future of the sport if they continue to progress and put in the work and the time,” Arizona coach Kliff Kingsbury said.

THE OTHER MURRAY

The Cardinals are relying on more than one Murray on offense.

Justin Murray started at right tackle in Week 1, just a few days after Marcus Gilbert injured his right knee in practice during a non-contact drill. The team put Gilbert on injured reserve on Tuesday.

Murray wasn’t perfect against the Lions, but he more than held his own, especially considering it was the second-year player’s third career NFL game. The 6-foot-5, 315-pounder did enough that Kingsbury expects him to start against the Ravens.

WELCOME CRABTREE

Arizona’s offense already has multiple playmakers. Now it’s adding Michael Crabtree to the mix.

The veteran receiver signed with the Cardinals a few weeks ago, but didn’t play in Week 1. Kingsbury said he expects Crabtree will be in the rotation this weekend.

”He brings a lot of experience, a lot of savvy, a lot of catches and a lot of physicality,” Kingsbury said. ”I know he’ll be excited for this one.”

Crabtree played for the Ravens last season, starting all 16 games and catching 54 passes for 607 yards and three touchdowns.

BROWN DELIVERS

Baltimore’s top draft pick Marquise ”Hollywood” Brown caught four passes for 147 yards and two TDs in his first NFL game.

The speedster was a teammate of Kyler Murray’s at Oklahoma. Andrews also played for the Sooners, but those ties will be put on hold at game time.

Andrews said of Murray: ”He’s an Oklahoma guy, but he’s a rival this week.”

The post Ravens and Jackson brace for old friend Suggs, Cardinals appeared first on IdealCapper.

ARIZONA vs BALTIMORE
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, September 15, 2019
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX.
LINE: Ravens -13.
O/U: 44.5.
PREDICTION: Ravens 35, Cardinals 24

Oddsmakers currently have the BALTIMORE listed as -13 point favorites versus the ARIZONA, while the game’s total is sitting at 44.5.

The Baltimore Ravens’ new offense with Lamar Jackson firmly installed under center looked like the best unit in the league while dominating the Miami Dolphins in Week 1. Jackson and company will try to prove that was no fluke when they host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

The thought prior to the start of the regular season was that Jackson might be a candidate to break Michael Vick’s record for rushing yards in a season by a quarterback but instead he went 17-for-20 for 324 yards and five touchdowns through the air in a 59-10 thrashing of the Dolphins. “He’s definitely better,” Baltimore coach John Harbaugh told reporters of Jackson after watching his quarterback become the youngest players in NFL history (22) to record a perfect passer rating of 158.3. “He was a rookie last year. He didn’t practice much throughout the course of the year. So, he’s had a chance to be with the No. 1 offense on a daily basis and he did a great job with it.” The Cardinals have their own former Heisman Trophy winner under center in No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray, who led his team back from a 17-0 deficit in his NFL debut before settling for a tie against the Detroit Lions. “That would’ve been terrible if we had not done anything at all (on offense),” Murray told reporters. “That would’ve left a bad taste in our mouth. The fact we can kind of feel decent with what happened. … It’s something to build on going forward.”

ABOUT THE CARDINALS (0-0-1): Arizona is young at quarterback and coach with first-year head coach Kliff Kingsbury learning the NFL after a long stint in the college ranks but there is plenty of veteran help around with Larry Fitzgerald on offense and Terrel Suggs on defense. Suggs spent the first 16 seasons of his career in Baltimore before leaving in the offseason and recorded a pair of sacks in the opener to push his career total to 135 1/2. “I have no clue what’s going to happen on Sunday,” Suggs told reporters. “I don’t know what kind of reception; I don’t know how I’m going to feel. This is a very unique situation for me. This is something that in 17 years I’ve never experienced.”

ABOUT THE RAVENS (1-0): Arizona won’t be the only team with a rookie first-round pick from Oklahoma on the field Sunday as Baltimore wide receiver Marquise Brown takes the field for his second game. Brown made an immediate impact in his debut with a 47-yard touchdown grab on his first catch and an 83-yard TD reception on his second catch. “We knew it was there,” offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley told reporters of the connection between Jackson and Brown. “Everybody was kind of, ‘Wait till the game to really see that thing happen.’ But we knew what those guys are capable of and the connection they had just being out in the locker room and stuff. It was good to see it translate to the field.”

EXTRA POINTS

1. Ravens CB Jimmy Smith will miss several weeks but is not expected to need surgery after suffering a knee sprain in Week 1.

2. The Cardinals placed RT Marcus Gilbert (knee) on injured reserve and signed OL Jordan Mills.

3. Arizona WR Michael Crabtree, who spent last season in Baltimore, is expected to make his team debut on Sunday after being inactive for Week 1.

PREDICTION: Ravens 35, Cardinals 24

The post ARIZONA vs. BALTIMORE 9/15/2019 NFL Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

BALTIMORE vs MIAMI
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, September 8, 2019
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS.
LINE: Ravens -6.5.
O/U: 38.5
PREDICTION: Ravens 20, Dolphins 13

Oddsmakers currently have the MIAMI listed as 4.5 point favorites versus the BALTIMORE, while the game’s total is sitting at 37.

The Baltimore Ravens are committed to moving forward behind quarterback Lamar Jackson and plan on competing for an AFC North title and another run deep into the playoffs. The Miami Dolphins, who host the Ravens in the season opener on Sunday, look like a team fully in rebuilding mode after bringing in a new coach and getting very active on the trade market.

Baltimore spent its offseason rebuilding its offense to suit the talents of Jackson and imported Mark Ingram from New Orleans to take on some of the rushing duties, but Jackson is still expected to pull the ball down and run often. “Hopefully that it’s the best offense they’ve ever seen,” Jackson told reporters when asked what people will think of the new offense. “That’s what I’m going for.” The Dolphins traded away star left tackle Laremy Tunsil, wide receiver Kenny Stills and leading tackler Kiko Alonso in the latest round of trades toward the end of camp, leading to question about the team’s intentions for the season. “It’s always important to win. I’ve always believed that,” first-year head coach Brian Flores told reporters in reference to tanking questions. “I think to take any other approach, that’s just not how you coach the game. That’s not how you play the game. To take any other approach is disrespectful to the game, so it’s very important.”

ABOUT THE RAVENS (2018: 10-6, FIRST IN AFC NORTH): Baltimore is convinced that Ingram, 29, has plenty left in the tank after splitting carries for years with the Saints. “He’s a proven back in the National Football League,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh told reporters. “He seems very healthy. (There is) not a lot of wear and tear on Mark. He’s a downhill, physical runner. He fits our style.” Ingram will run between the tackles while Jackson takes off around the outside and goes after Michael Vick’s record for rushing yards by a quarterback (1,039).

ABOUT THE DOLPHINS (2018: 7-9, SECOND IN AFC EAST): Miami traded for former first-round pick Josh Rosen in the offseason, but veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick won the battle in camp and will get the start on Sunday, becoming the first quarterback to start for eight different teams. “You know it is (rewarding),” Fitzpatrick told reporters. “It’s something that’s never been done before. Just in terms of who I am and the career I’ve had and the different places I’ve been, this means a lot to me. I think being able to do it here with a younger group where it’s going to rely so much on communication and I’ve got to make sure I’m at my best on every single play, whether it’s during the play or before at the line of scrimmage.” Running back Kenyan Drake survived the team’s offseason purge and is expected to take on a bigger role in the offense after averaging 4.5 yards per rush in 2018.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Ravens CB Brandon Carr (hip) is questionable for Sunday.

2. Dolphins CB Xavien Howard tied for the league lead with seven interceptions last season.

3. Baltimore beat Miami by a combined 78-6 in the last two meetings – 2016 and 2017.

The post BALTIMORE vs. MIAMI 9/8/2019 NFL Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

BALTIMORE RAVENS vs LA CHARGERS
When: 8:20 PM ET, Saturday, December 22, 2018
Where: StubHub Center, Carson, California

TV: 8:20 PM
LINE: -4.5
PREDICTION: LA CHARGERS , BALTIMORE

Oddsmakers currently have the LA CHARGERS listed as -4.5 point favorites versus the BALTIMORE, while the game’s total is sitting at 42.

The Los Angeles Chargers have already clinched a spot in the postseason but they have loftier goals in mind — namely, the chance to secure the top overall seed and earn home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Chargers still have to overtake division rival Kansas City but cannot afford a misstep against the visiting Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night.

Los Angeles punched its ticket to the playoffs in dramatic fashion, erasing a two-touchdown deficit in the final four minutes for a 29-28 road win over the Chiefs. Quarterback Philip Rivers, one of an NFL-high seven Pro Bowl selections for the Chargers, said his team faces a “heck of a challenge” against the top-ranked defense of the Ravens, who hold the tiebreaker over two other teams for the second wild card in the AFC. Baltimore has won four of five since rookie Lamar Jackson took over as the starting quarterback — the only loss coming in overtime at Kansas City — but the Ravens know what they are up against in Rivers and Co. “Philip is probably one of the smartest, if not — he’s right in the category with the top two or three guys (in terms of) dissecting the defense, playing the chess game,” Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said of Rivers. “He really finds the weakness and he’s not afraid to take chances.”

TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, NFL Network. LINE: Chargers -4.5. O/U: 43.5

ABOUT THE RAVENS (8-6): Jackson has yet to throw for more than 178 yards in either of his five starts but he has double-digit rushes in each one to help Baltimore become the first team since the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1976 to rush for at least 190 yards in five consecutive games. Rookie Gus Jackson had 15 carries on the season until Jackson moved into the starting lineup but has led the punishing ground game with three 100-yard performances during the 4-1 run. Willie Snead has emerged as Jackson’s favorite target with five catches in three of the past five contests, but the defense will be in the spotlight Sunday. The Ravens lead the league in fewest points (18.1) and fewest overall yards (290.2) and are third against the pass (202.6).

ABOUT THE CHARGERS (11-3): Los Angeles made it four straight wins and 10 of 11 despite an injury to top receiver Keenan Allen and the absence of top running backs Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler. Gordon, expected to return to the lineup after sitting out the past three games due to a sprained MCL, has rushed for 802 yards and nine touchdowns while snagging 44 receptions for four more scores. Allen is looming as a game-time decision, but 2017 first-round pick Mike Williams scored three touchdowns on a season-high seven receptions against Kansas City to earn AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. While Rivers is having an MVP season with 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions, the ninth-ranked run defense (103.7) yards will have to contain Jackson.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Rivers has passed for 2,199 yards with 16 TDs in seven home games this season.

2. Jackson has rushed for at least 65 yards in each of his five starts.

3. Chargers Pro Bowl DE Melvin Ingram needs three sacks to reach double digits for the third time in four seasons.

PREDICTION: Chargers 26, Ravens 22

The post BALTIMORE vs. LA CHARGERS 12/22/2018 NFL Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

BALTIMORE RAVENS vs KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, December 9, 2018
Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: -6.5
PREDICTION: KANSAS CITY , BALTIMORE

Oddsmakers currently have the KANSAS CITY listed as -6.5 point favorites versus the BALTIMORE, while the game’s total is sitting at 52.5.

The league’s highest-scoring offense and its stingiest defense square off Sunday, when the Kansas City Chiefs host the Baltimore Ravens in a matchup of AFC playoff contenders. The high-scoring Chiefs hope to maintain their one-game lead in the AFC West, while the hard-nosed Ravens are trying to hang on to the last wild-card spot.

The Chiefs average an NFL-best 37 points per game – a total the Ravens have reached only once this season. Baltimore’s defense has been especially dominant during the team’s three-game winning streak – it held Atlanta to 131 total yards in last week’s 26-16 victory – but it will face its toughest test yet against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. “In reality, holding this team to what we did last (week) is probably not going to happen,” Baltimore safety Eric Weddle told reporters. “But we can make things tough on them. We can create turnovers. We can hold them in the red zone.” Baltimore has held its last three opponents to 255 total yards or fewer, while Kansas City’s season low for total offense is 330 against Arizona.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Chiefs -6.5. O/U: 51.5

ABOUT THE RAVENS (7-5): While Joe Flacco (hip) returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday, rookie Lamar Jackson is expected to make his fourth straight start, which limits the Ravens in the passing game but gives them a dynamic rushing attack. Baltimore has rolled up more than 200 rushing yards in the three games Jackson has started, as fellow rookie Gus Edwards has gained 315 in the last three contests. The defense, which ranks second against the pass, has allowed over 300 such yards only once all season, while the Chiefs average 345.3.

ABOUT THE CHIEFS (10-2): Kansas City’s passing game has been nothing short of prolific, as Mahomes leads the NFL with 41 touchdown passes – including 11 to speedster Tyreek Hill and nine to tight end Travis Kelce. The ground game certainly took a hit with Kareem Hunt’s release, but Spencer Ware has averaged 4.8 yards per carry this season and is a reliable target out of the backfield. The biggest question for the Chiefs is whether or not the defense can stop playoff-caliber opponents, and the secondary is especially suspect as the team ranks last against the pass.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Mahomes has passed for four or more touchdowns seven times this season – second-most in NFL history.

2. The Ravens are the first team with three straight games of 200 or more rushing yards since Jacksonville in 2010.

3. Kansas City DT Chris Jones has recorded a sack in eight straight contests.

PREDICTION: Chiefs 27, Ravens 24

The post BALTIMORE vs. KANSAS CITY 12/9/2018 NFL Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

BALTIMORE RAVENS vs ATLANTA FALCONS
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, December 2, 2018
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: 2.5
PREDICTION: ATLANTA , BALTIMORE

Oddsmakers currently have the ATLANTA listed as 2.5 point favorites versus the BALTIMORE, while the game’s total is sitting at 49.

A quarterback controversy is bubbling up for the Baltimore Ravens, who will try to continue their surge toward a playoff spot with a road game Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. The Ravens have won two straight with rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson running the offense, but it’s unclear whether Joe Flacco will return against the Falcons, who have lost three straight to fall to the far fringes of the playoff picture.

Flacco returned to practice Thursday for the first time since injuring his right hip Nov. 4 against Pittsburgh, but his status may remain uncertain up until Sunday. It might not matter, because Jackson has played well while leading the Ravens to wins over Cincinnati and Oakland the past two weeks, rushing for 190 yards and a touchdown and passing for 328 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions. “We have no control over who plays or doesn’t, so we’ll be prepared to play whichever way that we have to go,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn told reporters. “I would say the styles are definitely different. … These two styles are different from the way that the offense has featured Joe in a lot of ways and how they’ve featured Lamar.” Despite a three-game skid, the Falcons aren’t completely out of the playoff picture — they trail a pack of potential wild-card teams by two games — but another loss would likely dash their slim hopes.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Atlanta -1.5. O/U: 48.

ABOUT THE RAVENS (6-5): Baltimore boasts the league’s best defense and has held its past two opponents to 255 and 249 total yards. Jackson’s move to the starting role has sparked the ground game, which has rolled up 509 rushing yards the past two games, as fellow rookie Gus Edwards has posted consecutive 100-yard games. Jackson completed passes to seven different receivers in last week’s 34-17 win over Oakland.

ABOUT THE FALCONS (4-7): Atlanta has one of the most prolific passing attacks in the league, but the absence of a running game has been detrimental. Matt Ryan and Julio Jones are still putting up big numbers — Jones has six straight 100-yard receiving games — but the Falcons totaled only 26 rushing yards and lost three fumbles in last week’s 31-17 loss at New Orleans. The secondary that was torched early in the season has played better of the late, but the Falcons have been unable to stop the run the past three games, which is problematic if Jackson starts.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Ravens’ defense has not recorded an interception since Week 5, a string of 234 passes without a pick.

2. Falcons WR Calvin Ridley leads all rookies in receiving yards (625) and touchdown receptions (eight).

3. Baltimore OLB Terrell Suggs has notched a sack in each of his past three games against Atlanta.

PREDICTION: Ravens 27, Falcons 20

The post BALTIMORE vs. ATLANTA 12/2/2018 NFL Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS vs BALTIMORE RAVENS
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, November 4, 2018
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: -2.5
PREDICTION: BALTIMORE , PITTSBURGH

Oddsmakers currently have the BALTIMORE listed as -2.5 point favorites versus the PITTSBURGH, while the game’s total is sitting at 47.5.

The Baltimore Ravens’ once-impenetrable defense is beginning to show some cracks, sending the team tumbling down the standings. The Ravens will try to avoid a three-game slide and jump back into the race in the AFC North when they host the rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

Baltimore was torched for a season-high 36 points in a 15-point loss at the Carolina Panthers last week after dropping a 24-23 home decision to the New Orleans Saints. “It’s apparent that two weeks in a row we weren’t very sharp,” defensive tackle Michael Pierce told reporters. “For whatever reason that is, that’s got to get corrected ASAP. We got Pittsburgh coming up. It’s personal pride. You have to man up to what everybody’s doing and see what’s going on.” The Steelers are trending in the opposite direction with wins in three straight games since a 26-14 home loss to the Ravens in Week 4, and running back James Conner is leading the charge. Conner is making fans forget about Le’Veon Bell by piling up a total of 526 yards and six touchdowns in the last three contests.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Ravens -3. O/U: 47

ABOUT THE STEELERS (4-2-1): Bell, who is holding out after refusing to sign his franchise tender, is expected to return before Week 10 but has given little indication of when that return might come, leaving Conner to grab all the touches available. “He wants to be that guy,” guard Ramon Foster told reporters of Conner. “He plays with a passion that’s out of this world.” Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is completing 67.7 percent of his passes during the winning streak but will play with a fractured left (non-throwing) index finger this week after suffering the injury in the 33-18 drubbing of the Cleveland Browns last week.

ABOUT THE RAVENS (4-4): Baltimore slid into third place in the AFC North behind Pittsburgh and Cincinnati (5-3) with the loss to the Panthers and knows it faces an uphill climb. “We are obviously not in the most ideal situation possible, but we still have eight games left,” quarterback Joe Flacco told reporters. “I feel like we have the opportunity to play really good football. We just have to make sure to keep the focus on that. I think there is obviously a bigger threat now to let this stuff affect you mentally, let it affect the team and how we are gelling together. We just have to combat that just by being ourselves and being as tough as we possibly can.” The Ravens are 24th in the league with an average of 96.6 rushing yards and made a move to improve that area by trading for Green Bay Packers running back Ty Montgomery prior to Tuesday’s trade deadline.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Steelers CB Cody Sensabaugh (foot) sat out practice on Wednesday and is questionable.

2. Ravens starting offensive linemen LT Ronnie Stanley (ankle), G Alex Lewis (neck) and RT James Hurst (back) are all questionable.

3. Baltimore snapped a three-game losing streak in the series with Week 4’s triumph.

PREDICTION: Steelers 26, Ravens 17

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