The Baltimore Ravens have to wonder when they will start getting a little more attention in the press. They have put up a 30-7 record over the last three seasons, but they have gone just 1-3 in the postseason. The darlings in the AFC North are the Cleveland Browns, who have made all sorts of improvements to their roster, but the sports betting favorite to win the division is the Baltimore Ravens. They start with a game in Vegas against the Raiders on Monday Night Football and finish with Pittsburgh in Week 18. In between, the Ravens will play those Browns twice — and they also host the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2.
Let’s take a closer look at their off-season changes and some week-by-week NFL predictions.
NFL News: Baltimore Ravens Win/Loss Analysis and Betting Prediction
The Ravens added to their wide receiving corps by signing Sammy Watkins out of free agency and adding Rashod Bateman in the draft. James Proche returns as an exciting prospect who hopes to do more than return kicks in 2021. On defense, Pro Bowlers Yannick Ngakoue and Matt Judon left for greener pastures via free agency, adding some holes to the pass rush, and the Ravens already had trouble keeping up with the AFC elite with their defense.
Week 1: at Las Vegas Raiders (Monday)
Baltimore (-4.5) should be able to win the opener easily, as the Raiders don’t have the defense to keep up with the Ravens’ weapons on offense. The Raiders could also struggle to move the ball, depending on how much pressure the Ravens can put on Derek Carr. Win and cover (1-0).
Week 2: vs Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday night)
Losing those two edge rushers will make this a difficult proposition for the Ravens — especially since their offense tends to grind to a halt when they fall behind. The Ravens also sent Pro Bowl offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr to Kansas City via trade, helping Patrick Mahomes while making the Ravens’ task tougher. Loss (1-1).
Week 3: at Detroit Lions (Sunday afternoon)
The Lions have been rebuilding for a while, and that took a step further back when the team brought Jared Goff to town to play quarterback. Goff has a tough time against solid secondaries, and the Ravens have the offense to make this a laugher. Win (2-1).
Week 4: at Denver Broncos (Sunday afternoon)
Denver is still rebuilding its offense, although the wideout pairing of Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton could put together some surprises against the Ravens. The Broncos have a stout defense, but their offense won’t be able to do enough. Win (3-1).
Week 5: vs Indianapolis Colts (Monday)
The Colts are trying the Carson Wentz reboot, and we’ll know by Week 5 whether it’s working or not. For now, though, it’s hard to see Wentz outdueling Lamar Jackson. Win (4-1).
Week 6: vs L.A. Chargers (Sunday afternoon)
The Ravens have a West Coast team at home in the early afternoon slot, which is an advantage. Justin Herbert was the Offensive Rookie of the Year last season, but I’m not sure the Charger defense can keep things close enough. Win (5-1).
Week 7: vs Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday afternoon)
The Bengals have Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase bringing a high-flying offense to town. I see the Ravens coming out a little overconfident — and the Bengals making them pay. Loss (5-2).
Week 8: Bye
Week 9: vs Minnesota Vikings (Sunday afternoon)
Kirk Cousins has Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen running routes, but the Ravens will have the bye (and the motivation from that home loss) to prepare here. The Vikings will push the Ravens hard, but the Ravens will win a close one. Win (6-2).
Week 10: at Miami Dolphins (Thursday night)
A short week and then a road game means minimal preparation time. Tua Tagovailoa could have taken off as a quarterback, or he could have regressed — remember, Ryan Fitzpatrick came on to finish a number of the Dolphins’ wins last season. I like the Ravens to clamp down on Tua and get the win. Win (7-2).
Week 11: at Chicago Bears (Sunday afternoon)
By this point in time, Justin Fields should be the Bears’ starting quarterback, and with his athleticism — and with the Bears’ elite defense — the Bears should eke out this win. Loss (7-3).
Week 12: vs Cleveland Browns (Sunday night)
The Browns are 3-23 in their last 26 games against the Ravens. The Browns did take a huge step last year by winning a road playoff game, but are they mentally ready to beat the Ravens on the road? Win (8-3).
Week 13: at Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday afternoon)
By this time, Ben Roethlisberger will be wearing down again, and the stagnant offense won’t be able to put up enough points to outscore the Ravens. Win (9-3).
Week 14: at Cleveland Browns (Sunday afternoon)
The Browns regroup and get revenge when the rivalry heads back to Ohio. Loss (9-4).
Week 15: vs Green Bay Packers (Sunday afternoon)
This is an impossible game to handicap right now because of the unknown status of Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. If the Packers have Rodgers at the helm, his lack of satisfaction with the team may have hampered chemistry to the point where the Packers are struggling. Or Rodgers may have the Pack sitting at 11-2 or something like that. After that loss in Cleveland, though, the Ravens will be ready. Win (10-4).
Week 16: at Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday afternoon)
Remember when Cincinnati came to Baltimore and delivered that upset earlier this season? So will the Ravens. Win (11-4).
Week 17: vs Los Angeles Rams (Sunday afternoon)
I’m definitely going against the grain with my pessimism about Matthew Stafford in Los Angeles. I don’t see him transforming the Rams into the next great NFC contender, and I don’t see him beating the Ravens. Win (12-4).
Week 18: vs Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday afternoon)
Do the Ravens have the division sewn up at this point? If so, they rest their starters and take the L. I see them still neck and neck with the Browns, though, so they use their starters and steamroll the Steelers. Win (13-4).
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