The Rams are hopeful a quarterback switch can help jumpstart their ineffective offense. Case Keenum gets the nod and can’t do much worse than Nick Foles. Keenum beat the Ravens last season making a start against them as a member of the Houston Texans. Baltimore has dropped its seven games by a total of 32 points and looks to improve on its 1-7-1 ATS record this season.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Baltimore Ravens -1.5
St. Louis Rams +1.5
Over/Under 42.5
ODDS ANALYSIS
Something has to go right for Baltimore eventually, doesn’t it? All seven of the Ravens’ losses have been by one score, which is no help to their bottom line. But one might think the league owes them after last week’s admitted gaffe. The line was wagered to -2.5, so it looks like some folks are thinking the same thing.
KEY INJURIES
Jamon Brown – Was placed on injured reserve after the starting right guard fractured his leg last week against the Bears. His backup Darryl Williams was knocked out of the game with a dislocated wrist on the same play trying to make a tackle after an interception. Cody Wichmann will likely get snaps at the guard spot.
Jeremy Zuttah – The Ravens put their starting center on injured reserve with a partially torn pectoral muscle, ending his run of 65 consecutive starts. John Urschel will take over as the starter with Ryan Jensen the backup.
KEY MISMATCH
Even with the switch in starting quarterbacks, the running game still remains the Rams’ top priority. Todd Gurley ran three times for 20 yards on the opening drive that ended with his six-yard touchdown run against the Bears, but he got only nine more carries the rest of the way and finished with 45 yards. The rookie didn’t have fewer than 19 rushes in any of his previous five starts while averaging 5.8 yards per carry and 131.0 yards per game. He should expect to see the ball more against a Ravens defense that surrenders 3.79 yards per rush attempt. Baltimore has the 10th-best run defense in the NFL giving up 98.7 yards per game. But that number is skewed by teams attacking the Ravens weak pass defense. Gurley will be playing in front of a large gathering of family friends as he makes his first trip to Baltimore, where he spent a big part of his childhood and became a Ravens fan.
KEY STAT
29.0 – St. Louis’ quarterback sack total. The Rams have the third-most sacks in the NFL and have eight players with multiple sacks. Baltimore is good protecting Joe Flacco, allowing just 15 sacks on the year.
BETTING ANGLE
Time has run out on the 2-7 Ravens. The Rams feel they have something left but need to find answers after a pair of disappointing losses dropped them back under .500. Maybe it isn’t time to panic, but coach Jeff Fisher made the move to start Keenum at quarterback over Foles at an absolutely critical time if the Rams are going to make something of their season. Keenum toiled with the Rams practice squad for much of last season before getting a shot with Houston late in the season and leading a victory over Baltimore in his first start. Now Keenum is back in St. Louis and Baltimore again is the team standing in front of him as he takes over the starting job. Fisher admitted that the offensive issues aren’t solely Foles’ fault, but he’s giving Keenum a look nevertheless.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
The Ravens found a new way to lose last week, getting flagged for a face mask penalty as time expired, allowing the Jaguars to kick the game-winning field goal on an untimed down. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse for them, it does. Baltimore’s seven losses have been by a combined 32 points and all have been one score games. So it’s not like they’re getting blown away. A play here or a bounce there and the Ravens would be in thick of the AFC playoff hunt. As it is they are a two-win team and fighting to stay ahead of the Browns for last place in the North. While their record isn’t as shiny as the Rams’, the Ravens have probably been more consistent over the year. Just when you think Jeff Fisher’s team is ready to turn the corner, they get lambasted at home by the Bears. Changing quarterbacks has desperation written all over it and now is not the time for the Rams to be making that move. It doesn’t pay off here.
Baltimore 23, St. Louis 20
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