The Baltimore Ravens have won five of their last six Week 3 preseason games and qualified for the playoffs each time. Their only loss during the dress rehearsal left them watching the postseason from home. RG3 is still the Redskins quarterback, but not for long if he continues to take a beating like he did last week.
ODDS
Baltimore is 3-0 SU and ATS in its last three home preseason games with one of those wins coming against Washington. The Ravens opened at -3.5 and the spread ticked up to -4. The total surfaced at 43.5.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
After suffering a concussion while getting harassed last week against Detroit, Robert Griffin III was back at practice this week. And he’s still the Redskins’ starting quarterback. Griffin will see a neurologist prior to this week’s game, and if cleared he will play. All indications are that he will get clearance. Griffin and the first-team offense had a tough go against the Lions and will look for redemption against the Ravens. Even if he is cleared to play, it’s unlikely Griffin will go longer than a quarter. Backups Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy have been strong in their battle for the No. 2 job.
It was a performance Joe Flacco would like to flush. He tossed interceptions on Baltimore’s first two drives then he played poorly. By the time he was done for the day, the Ravens were behind 17-0 on their way to a thrashing at the hands of the Eagles. He gets a chance to erase that memory and likely plays as long as he feels is necessary. Coach John Harbaugh doesn’t have a set amount of time for his QB but would like a bounce back effort after last week. Matt Schaub and Bryn Renner performed will against Philly’s reserves but the game was out of hand by then.
COACHES' MOTIVATION
Harbaugh fully understands the importance of the preseason and realizes it’s not about the Ws and Ls, but about getting ready for when those letters actually have meaning. A preseason defeat, no matter how bad, couldn’t matter less. But Week 3 of the exhibition schedule is a bit more meaningful to some. The dress rehearsal when starters get a bit more action and the games take on more of a regular season feel. Most coaches treat it that way, others don’t. For Harbaugh, the fourth week of August is a big deal. He wants his team ready, he needs his team ready. The Ravens are 5-1 in Week 3 over the past six seasons and advanced to the playoffs each year they won. In 2013, Baltimore lost its third preseason game and failed to qualify for the postseason.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“I think our interior defensive line, we’re pretty deep. So, we take our first unit out and the second unit is as good as our first unit too. We have a lot of depth on the defensive line and some offensive lines in preseason games don’t have that same depth as we do on defense.” – Redskins coach Jay Gruden said a lot of their success has to do with a deep defensive front
POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH
When rookie cornerback Deshazor Everett signed with the Redskins on Aug. 1, his role was to provide depth at a position that was lacking healthy bodies. His addition was more a reflection of a depleted roster than his own abilities. At the time starters Chris Culliver and DeAngelo Hall, along with backups Bashaud Breeland and David Amerson were all battling injuries. Everett would cover some reps and maybe provide competition once the injured returned. He’s exceeded expectations, moved ahead of Tajh Hasson, Trey wolfe and Bryan McCann on the depth chart and is making a strong case for the 53-man final roster.
INJURIES
The Redskins will be short a few players on defense come Saturday. Safety Akeem Davis is out with a sore hamstring while end Frank Kearse has a shoulder ailment. Receiver Desean Jackson is also out and likely won’t play until the season opener.
Cornerback Lardarius Webb hasn’t played a preseason game since 2013 and will keep that streak alive, sitting out with a hamstring injury. Offensive linemen Eugene Monroe, James Hurst and De’Ondre Wesley are also unlikely to suit up. Backup running back Lorenzo Taliaferro is dealing with a knee injury that will keep him sidelined for a few weeks.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Redskins are committed to RG3 as their starting quarterback, though he hasn’t outplayed the backups this preseason. If Griffin does play he likely won’t see a lot of action after getting beat up by Detroit. The offense suffers, but the D gets stronger with a few projected starters making their preseason debut. Flacco and the Ravens need a better showing than last week’s debacle in Philly and the club gets a bounce back effort to knock off their neighbors.
Baltimore 24, Washington 18
BookMaker sent out the NFL online odds for this Saturday game at Baltimore -3.5 with a total of 43.5. Live wagering during commercials offers adjusted moneylines, totals and spreads. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
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