The Baltimore Ravens were racked by injuries a season ago and had a win-loss record that wasn’t up to their high standards. They are expected to be improved in 2016 and can give a nice initial showing in Week 3 of the preseason against the Detroit Lions. The Ravens are the home team and slight favorites to win this matchup as Detroit needs to replace star wide receiver Calvin Johnson this season as well as make upgrades to the defense in NFL wagering.
This Week 3 preseason matchup will be held on Saturday, August 27th, 2016, at 7 p.m. ET at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Detroit Lions +3
Baltimore Ravens -3
Over/Under 43
Odds Analysis
The Ravens are the favorites and have been bet on heavily enough that their odds have shifted to -125 to cover. The Lions are the underdogs and pay off at +105. The over-under is getting equal action thus far and the “under” could be the correct play provided the quarterbacks don’t excel and turn this into a shootout.
Quarterback Rotation
Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco has yet to take the field for the Ravens in the 2016 but is expected to make his preseason debut against the Lions. Flacco tore his ACL and MCL last November against the Rams and will be returning to the field after nine months away if he gets the predicted start this weekend. Flacco is a pocket quarterback, so his return shouldn’t have too many hurdles. While Flacco isn’t among the top quarterbacks in the NFL, he can be impressive in stretches.
Backup Josh Johnson looked decent last week, completing 11-of-16 passes for 72 yards and a touchdown. Ryan Mallett was 6-of-8 for 47 yards and a score while Jerrod Johnson was just 1-for-6 for 12 yards and an interception. Mallett is a former starter who could be an intriguing X-factor in this game if he sees enough playing time.
The Lions will send out Matthew Stafford for what’s expected to be his most extensive playing time of the season. Detroit signed Marvin Jones this offseason to help make up for the loss of Johnson, and he will team with Golden Tate and fellow newcomer Anquan Boldin as the main targets. WIth two new receivers, this could be an important game for the Lions as they try to get some rhythm.
Dan Orlovsky is the likely backup quarterback. He has been in that role in recent years, and while he’s not as talented as Stafford, has some veteran experience and can play well for periods. Jake Rudock is battling to surpass Orlovsky, and if not, it remains to be seen if he makes the active roster.
Coaching History
Ravens coach John Harbaugh has a preseason record of 22-12. He went undefeated in the 2014 preseason and 1-3 last year. Harbaugh held out a lot of starters in the team’s Week 1 preseason game against the Panthers, some due to injury and many just to avoid it. In the past, Harbaugh has usually on put his starters in for a series or two in the first preseason game but the veteran coach is playing his veteran players, who don’t necessary need the reps preseason provides, even less this year.
Lions coach Jim Caldwell is 9-13 in the preseason in his six seasons as a head coach in the NFL. Caldwell is entering his third season at the helm in Detroit. He went 3-1 in both the previous season, which had drastically different regular seasons to follow. Caldwell is 1-1 so far in the 2016 preseason.
Free ATS Pick
The Lions were a playoff team only two years ago and have some of the same faces, but struggled mightily to begin 2015. They picked it up late and hope to enter this season in sync, although it will be a challenge with many new weapons on offense. The Ravens have more cohesion and recently got talented wide receiver Breshad Perriman back in the fold. If he can play in this game it will be another boost to the offense. The Ravens have less to iron out and have more talent, so they should handle the Lions in NFL wagering.
NFL Odds: Ravens 19, Lions 14
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