The Ravens continue to rack up the frequent flier miles with another trip out west, their fourth already this season. The previous three trips were failures with losses in Denver, Oakland and last week in San Francisco, by a combined 15 points. A win on Monday night can get the Ravens back on track with a favorable back end of the schedule. A loss puts them in wait-till-next-year mode.
ODDS
Arizona opened as a 7-point favorite with the total at 49. The Cardinals have been a good bet at home going 2-1 ATS this season and 8-2 ATS in their last 10 at University of Phoenix Stadium. The line was wagered to -9 while the total held firm.
KEY INJURIES
Kendrick Lewis – Didn’t practice during the week with a knee bruise and is listed as questionable. Cornerback Lardarius Webb is also questionable with a thigh injury, leaving two starters in the Ravens’ secondary possibly out against the high-scoring Cardinals. Anthony Levine would likely replace Lewis at safety.
Darren Fells – Will not play on Monday due to a left shoulder injury. Jermaine Gresham and Troy Niklas will get more snaps at the tight end spot for the Cardinals in his absence.
Alex Okafor – The Cardinals’ starting linebacker has been ruled out with a calf injury. LaMarr Woodley and Markus Golden will likely fill in at the outside linebacker spot.
KEY MISMATCH
Long known for a dominant defense, it’s been a down year for the Ravens trying to stop opponents, particularly through the air. Cards’ quarterback Carson Palmer must be licking his chops at the thought of facing one of the worst pass defenses in the league. The Ravens allow an average of 286.2 yards per game and surrendered 422 yards to the Browns two weeks ago. They also yielded 340 yards to a 49ers club that ranks among the NFL’s worst passing attacks. Palmer throws for 289.5 yards per game. John Brown is emerging into more than just a complementary piece of the passing game alongside Larry Fitzgerald, hauling in 10 catches for 196 yards at Pittsburgh last week. Baltimore has just three interceptions this season and has given up 11 touchdown passes. Palmer has 14 scoring passes and has been picked off five times.
KEY STAT
-5 – Baltimore’s turnover margin. The Ravens rank near the bottom of the NFL in margin and have just four takeaways on the year. Arizona is plus-three in turnover margin.
BETTING ANGLE
A string of narrow losses and a punishing schedule have been major factors in the worst start in Ravens’ history. Baltimore travels west for the fourth time this season looking to turn its season around. Losses in Denver, Oakland and San Francisco have contributed to the surprising 1-5 record for a team that annually contends for a playoff spot. Coach John Harbaugh already has made one adjustment, opting to have the team fly back home following last week’s loss to the 49ers. The Ravens stayed on the road following the season opener at Denver and lost 37-33 in Oakland the next week. It’s the fifth time in seven games the Ravens are playing away from home and their fourth cross-country trip of the season that has yet to reach the halfway point. The league didn’t do the Ravens any favors with a brutal first half schedule and a loss Monday makes a favorable back end of the schedule meaningless.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Cardinals are strong at home and the Ravens are a battered team that has to travel cross-country yet again. The schedule hasn’t been kind to the Ravens and they face a team that’s coming off a disappointing loss in Pittsburgh last week. The Cards moved the ball freely but stagnated in the red zone. Don’t expect that to happen against a Ravens defense that’s been far too generous. Baltimore has a chance if it can force turnovers and move the ball on the ground. The passing game may suffer against a strong Arizona secondary, but if Joe Flacco has time to throw, plays could be made. But the Ravens don’t have enough to keep up with the Cardinals and the home team gets a win in the battle of the birds. However, I like the Ravens to keep it close, like they’ve done all season, and cover with the points.
Arizona 31, Baltimore 25
The NFL lines for this Monday game were first available at BookMaker Sportsbook. The Cardinals were pegged as 7-point chalk while the total opened at 49. Minute-by-minute spreads, totals and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! The game between the Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals will commence Monday, October 26, 2015, at 8:30 p.m. ET at University of Phoenix Stadium. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
