Don’t look now, but the Baltimore Ravens are starting to put things together. They’re starting to get healthy, the defense is playing better, and with Lamar Jackson at the helm, this team can be very tough to stop.
This weekend, the Ravens will see a familiar face on the other side of the line of scrimmage, as Baker Mayfield will get the start at quarterback for the Carolina Panthers. Mayfield is very familiar with the Ravens from his playing days in Cleveland.
We’ll see if the lowly Panthers can slow down the Ravens or if Baltimore continues to roll on Sunday when these two meet at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. We’ll now preview both of the teams and give you our prediction so you don’t miss your chance to bet against their NFL Betting Lines.
Can the Panthers Slow the Surging Ravens Down? | Carolina Panthers at Baltimore
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are coming off of a mini-bye. They last played on Thursday night in the pouring rain at home against the Atlanta Falcons. The Panthers won the game 28-19. As we’ve already stated, Baker Mayfield will get the start for the Panthers.
Mayfield was struggling prior to getting injured. Mayfield will have D’Onta Foreman in the backfield. Foreman has run well since being elevated to the starting spot when Christian McCaffrey was traded.
DJ Moore is the Panthers’ top receiver. Carolina has struggled in the passing game this season, so we’ll see if Mayfield can correct the issues he had earlier in the season.
The Panthers’ defense has had issues of its own this season. They’re giving up just over 24 points per game, which is near the bottom of the league.
They’ll have to contend with Jackson and all the issues that he can cause a defense. We’ll see if the Panthers are up to the task or if the Ravens’ offense will put a lot of points on the board.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens will be in search of their fourth straight win. With Jackson leading the way, the Ravens’ offense is looking good. Mark Andrews should be ready to return from injury.
In his absence, Isaiah Likely put up some good numbers. We could see any number of backs in the backfield, but we should see mostly Kenyan Drake and Gus Edwards this week.
Defensively, the Ravens are starting to put things together. With the acquisition of Roquan Smith at the trade deadline, the Ravens now have the type of linebacker that they had been missing.
The defense has allowed 24 or fewer points in the Ravens’ last five games. They’ll hope to continue that trend on Sunday.
Prediction
Believe it or not, the Ravens are 12.5-point favorites in this one. In looking at the betting trends, the numbers don’t bode well for either team. Carolina is 0-4 against the spread in their last four games. Baltimore is 0-4-1 against the spread in their last five games.
While 12.5 points seem to be excessive, we’re still going to go with the Ravens. We just can’t trust Mayfield right now, and the Ravens are really looking good.
We’re looking for a big game from Lamar Jackson, and the Ravens’ defense will stifle the Carolina offense. We have the Ravens winning this one 34-14, winning the game and covering the spread.
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