Considering where the Baltimore Ravens were this time last year, they’d gladly accept the task at hand. Nothing has ever come easy for John Harbaugh and the Ravens, so why should this be any different. The task facing them in their quest for a postseason berth is simple: win their remaining three games and they’re in. Given that the Ravens barely had enough bodies to field a team let alone win games last season, the chore seems easy. The first step begins in Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
This matchup in Week 15 of the regular season will take place on Sunday, December 18, 2016, at 1 p.m. ET at MT Bank Stadium.
Odds Analysis
The Ravens had the Monday night game so the spread and total have yet to hit the board. Since handing the Vikings their first loss of the season and improving to 4-2, the Eagles have been in a free fall. They are 1-6 SU and ATS in that span and look like a team in a rebuild. The Ravens have a short week after a tough game in New England, but they’ll likely open as a 5-6 point favorite.
Injury Report
Darren Sproles – Entered the concussion protocol after taking a hit on a punt return. Sproles is a versatile player who excels in the Eagles passing and return game and the team just isn’t as good without him. Philly also lost Wendall Smallwood to a knee injury, leaving them even thinner at running back.
Jon Dorenbos – Philly’s long snapper had surgery on his wrist and is out for the season. Dorenbos had played in 162 consecutive games before getting hurt. A bad snap by backup Brent Celek cost the Eagles on a field goal attempt and timing could be an issue with a new snapper.
Jimmy Smith – The Ravens lost their starting corner to an ankle injury and the secondary took another hit when nickel Jerraud Powers entered the concussion protocol. Tom Brady was able to throw for 406 yards against the defense and backup Matt Elam was scorched for the game-clinching Brady touchdown pass.
Look-Ahead Situation
As I mentioned, the Ravens need to win their remaining three games to qualify for the postseason. While the Eagles are the first road block in that scenario, it wouldn’t be surprising to catch Baltimore looking past Philly to a glimpse at their Week 16 opponent. That’s because the Ravens have a Christmas day matchup with the Steelers, the team they’re currently chasing in the AFC North. If things stay the same heading into that contest, the Ravens could tie for the division lead with a win and will hold the tie-breaker with a season-sweep of their division counterpart.
No sense putting the cart before the horse however. The Ravens have work to do this week after their top ranked defense got lathered up by Brady and the Patriots on Monday night. Baltimore entered the game allowing just 296.1 total yards and 222.3 passing yards per outing, but surrendered 406 yards through the air to Brady and 496 total. Carson Wentz has a way to go before being mentioned in the same breath as Brady, so the Ravens have that going for them. But they better clamp down in order to make the Week 16 tilt meaningful.
Free ATS Pick
The Eagles aren’t officially eliminated from the playoffs, but it is just a formality. They need a number of situations to work in their favor and according to ESPN’s Football Power Index their odds of making the postseason are 5 million-to-1. So, the team is already looking ahead to next season and trying to finish out the current year with a few less injuries. The odds are more favorable for the Ravens, who need to win in order to set up a Week 16 showdown in Pittsburgh.
Their loss at New England on Monday night hurt, but they hung with the Pats, and despite playing poorly on defense were in position to get a win thanks to some inviting turnovers. Baltimore may have found an answer for its poor run game with the play of Kenneth Dixon, who ran for 39 yards against the Pats. But it was how he ran the football that gives the Ravens hope. He carried with a purpose and was a factor in the passing game as well. The offense has struggled most of the season, but look for Dixon to get more touches adding a different element and allowing Joe Flacco to look downfield.
NFL Odds: Ravens 26, Eagles 18
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