The Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints have gone different ways this preseason, but that hasn’t stopped oddsmakers from believing a correction is coming. The Ravens are undefeated through three preseason games while the Saints are winless.
However, New Orleans is at home in the Week 4 matchup between the teams and has been tabbed as the favorite. It will be a battle of backups so the home field advantage could help put the Saints on top.
This Week 4 preseason matchup will be held on Thursday, September 1, 2016, at 8 p.m. ET at the Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Ravens +3.5
Saints -3.5
Over/Under 40.5
Odds Analysis
The spread is big enough that more of the bettors are jumping on the Ravens to cover. Baltimore has been impressive during the preseason and could round out a perfect exhibition campaign with a victory. The “under” is currently being hit on more as the 40.5 scoring total is a bit higher than most of the games.
Quarterback Rotation
Saints star quarterback Drew Brees has played sparingly in the first three preseason games and will just sit and watch this one. The team doesn’t want to risk injury to a player so vital to their success.
Backup Luke McCown is a veteran who has completed 36-of-54 passes for 312 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He has plenty of experience and it’s unknown at this point if he will see any action in the contest.
Garrett Grayson figures to play a lot. He is 28-of-54 passing for 311 yards with a touchdown but has thrown four interceptions. If Grayson doesn’t get his turnovers under control, it could mean bad results for the Saints.
The Ravens’ Joe Flacco is like Brees, an established veteran with little to prove. He returned to the field for the first time last week as he continues to return from a torn ACL, and will sit out this one.
Ryan Mallett was a starting quarterback for a few games last season and is playing well with his new team. Mallett is 27-of-38 for 250 yards with three touchdowns and an interception during the preseason, and could do well if he plays in this one.
The Ravens had four quarterbacks on the roster but recently cut Jerrod Johnson. That means Josh Johnson may see a good deal of playing time. He is 23-of-33 on the preseason for 184 yards and a touchdown.
Coaching History
Saints coach Sean Payton is 21-24 in his preseason career but has been in a deep rut of late. Payton has lost seven straight preseason games over the past two years and could go winless for a second straight year if the Saints fall in this finale.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh is an impressive 23-12 in preseason games. He has guided the Ravens to five exhibition slates of three wins or more, including this year. He will aim for his second career undefeated preseason.
Free ATS Pick
The Saints might be the favorites because of their home field advantage, but the Ravens have been rolling. Even though it is just backups in the game, they would like to finish the preseason undefeated.
If Baltimore gets a good performance from its quarterbacks and can force Grayson into more turnovers, an upset could be brewing at the Superdome.
NFL Odds: Ravens 24, Saints 17
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