The Baltimore Ravens have had two frustrating postseasons in the last two years. In 2019, the team rolled to a 14-2 record only to get upset at home by the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round of the playoffs. Last year, they finished 11-5, good enough for a wild card in the AFC, and they went to Tennessee and returned the favor of a road upset in the wild card round. However, they went to Buffalo next and were only able to manage a field goal in a 17-3 loss. Given how prolific this offense is — the team scored at least 27 points in each game in their five-game winning streak that ended the 2020 regular season — their struggles in the postseason are difficult to figure out, until you remember that the team likes to run first, and if they fall behind, they have to go to the air, which does not always work out.
Let’s look at their 2021 schedule as you consider your NFL betting for the upcoming football campaign.
NFL News: Baltimore Ravens 2021 Calendar, Odds & Analysis
The most common over/under number you’ll find for Baltimore’s win total this season is 11 (in a 17-game regular season). Can they hit that? Let’s take a closer look.
Monday, September 13: at Las Vegas Raiders
(8:15 pm ET, ESPN/ABC)
The Ravens open the season under the klieg lights in Las Vegas, where the stadium should have fans for the first time. Last year, the team decided that if they couldn’t fill the stadium, they wouldn’t let anyone in. Jon Gruden enters his fourth season in Vegas, and he has yet to make a playoff appearance. I think the Ravens have the defense to take control of this one. Win, 1-0.
Sunday, September 19: vs Kansas City Chiefs
(8:20 pm ET, NBC)
Will the Chiefs have Super Bowl hangover after losing to the Buccaneers in such shocking fashion? They have a reloaded defense, and Patrick Mahomes will come back hungry. Loss, 1-1.
Sunday, September 26: at Detroit Lions
(1:00 pm ET, CBS)
The Lions now have Jared Goff at quarterback as they get a rebuild underway. A great way to rebuild involves losing a lot of games so you get a high draft pick. Win, 2-1.
Sunday, October 3: at Denver Broncos
(4:25 pm ET, CBS)
What if Aaron Rodgers is starting for the Broncos in this game? Remember, he has demanded a trade and skipped OTAs. It’s an intriguing possibility. With Drew Lock, though, it’s hard to see the Broncos outdueling the Ravens, and this trade is getting less likely with each passing week. Win, 3-1.
Monday, October 11: vs Indianapolis Colts
(8:15 pm ET, ESPN)
Will Carson Wentz find his game with the Colts? It’s possible, but the Ravens should have the pass rush to force him into enough mistakes to win here. Win, 4-1.
Sunday, October 17: vs Los Angeles Chargers
(1:00 pm ET, CBS)
Justin Herbert plays with no fear, and he can stand in the pocket and deliver with accuracy. I see him leading the Chargers to the sort of early lead that bamboozles the Ravens. Loss, 4-2.
Sunday, October 24: vs Cincinnati Bengals
(1:00 pm ET, CBS)
Joe Burrow will be back, so I expect a barnburner. The problem is that the Bengals still don’t have a defense. Win, 5-2.
Sunday, October 31: BYE
Sunday, November 7: vs Minnesota Vikings
(1:00 pm ET, FOX)
The Vikings will bring an improved offense this year, after they played fairly well down the stretch after that ridiculous loss to Dallas. However, I don’t see Kirk Cousins winning a game in Baltimore. Win, 6-2.
Thursday, November 11: at Miami Dolphins
(8:20 pm ET, FOX/NFL Network)
Traveling on a short week to take on a Miami team that has a stout defense and could very well have an extremely confident Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback? Loss, 6-3.
Sunday, November 21: at Chicago Bears
(1:00 pm ET, CBS)
A long week to rest, followed by a trip to play a team that will either have the immobile (but occasionally accurate) Andy Dalton or the rookie Justin Fields at quarterback. The Ravens have the defense to defuse either one. Win, 7-3.
Sunday, November 28: vs Cleveland Browns
(8:20 pm ET, NBC)
The Browns won the off-season through defensive upgrades. The Browns won here in 2019 with a much less talented defense, and I see them using that ground game to out-Ravens the Ravens. Loss, 7-4.
Sunday, December 5: at Pittsburgh Steelers
(4:25 pm ET, CBS)
The Ravens bounce back from that home loss by pummeling the aging Ben Roethlisberger. Win, 8-4.
Sunday, December 12: at Cleveland Browns
(1:00 pm ET, CBS)
Can the Browns beat the Ravens twice in three weeks? That will be the question — whether Baker Mayfield is ready to play at an elite level under this type of pressure in matchups this close together. I see the Browns as ready for the task. Loss, 8-5.
Sunday, December 19: vs Green Bay Packers
(1:00 pm ET, FOX)
Will the Packers have Aaron Rodgers at quarterback? Will he play up to his usual elite level, or will he show disinterest? Or will Jordan Love be running the offense? I see the Ravens taking advantage of some chemistry issues…or inexperience issues. Win, 9-5.
Sunday, December 26: at Cincinnati Bengals
(1:00 pm ET, CBS)
Joe Burrow will make this one interesting again, but the Ravens will prevail late. Win, 10-5.
Sunday, January 2: vs Los Angeles Rams
(4:25 pm ET, FOX)
Matthew Stafford will bring the Rams to town. I’m not sure I see him outdueling Lamar Jackson. Win, 11-5.
Sunday, January 9: vs Pittsburgh Steelers
(1:00 pm ET, CBS)
By this point, the Ravens will be vying with the Browns for the AFC North title, so they won’t rest their starters…and will roll over Pittsburgh. Win, 12-5. Take the over.
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