The Baltimore Ravens surprised everyone by winning the AFC North Division in 2018, and they did it by benching their veteran quarterback. Baltimore chose to go with Lamar Jackson at that position about halfway through the season, and the Ravens took off. Jackson led one of the best offensives in the league in the second half of the season, and the Ravens did most of their damage on the ground.
Baltimore finished the 2018 regular season with a 10-6 record, to win the division by one game. The Ravens suffered a disappointing loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card Round in the AFC Playoffs. Baltimore was a little worse in terms of betting results a season ago, finishing with an 8-9 record against the spread.
Key Moves in Offseason
The Baltimore Ravens believe they have their quarterback of the future, and they said goodbye to Joe Flacco in the offseason. Baltimore will also be without Terrell Suggs this season, and he elected to leave the team in free agency. The Ravens did make a couple of great additions to their roster in signing running back Mark Ingram, and safety Earl Thomas. This roster will be much younger this season and should be just as talented.
2019 Schedule
Week 1: @ Miami Dolphins
Week 2: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 3: @ Kansas City Chiefs
Week 4: vs. Cleveland Browns
Week 5: @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 6: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week 7: @ Seattle Seahawks
Week 8: Bye Week
Week 9: vs. New England Patriots
Week 10: @ Cincinnati Bengals
Week 11: vs. Houston Texans
Week 12: @ Los Angeles Rams
Week 13: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 14: @ Buffalo Bills
Week 15: vs. New York Jets
Week 16: @ Cleveland Browns
Week 17: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Key Players
Lamar Jackson: Lamar Jackson threw for just 1,201 yards a season ago, but he didn’t take over the quarterback job until late in the season. Jackson did have a great season on the ground and racked up 695 yards. The Ravens don’t want their prize QB taking a ton of hits, but they also love his ability to make plays with his legs.
Mark Ingram: The Ravens are going to continue to run the ball this season, and they brought in Mark Ingram to help the cause. Ingram averaged 4.7 yards per carry a season ago and should see plenty of touches this season in Baltimore.
Willie Snead IV: Willie Snead led the Ravens with 62 catches a season ago, and quickly developed into Lamar Jackson’s favorite target. Snead only managed one receiving touchdown in 2018, but that number should go up this season.
Rookie Class: Baltimore drafted a pair of talented receivers in Marquise Brown and Miles Boykin who should both help out in the passing game. The Ravens desperately needed some offensive help, and they believe that they got plenty of it in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Betting Props
Vegas Win Total: 8.5 Wins (Over +120/Under -140)
Odds to win Division: Baltimore Ravens +300
Odds to win Conference: Baltimore Ravens +1800
Odds to win Super Bowl: Baltimore Ravens +4000
Predictions to Season/Bets to Make
The Baltimore Ravens took advantage of a disappointing season from the Pittsburgh Steelers to win the division a season ago. Baltimore won’t be as lucky this season, and the Cleveland Browns also look much better as well. The Ravens are still going to be in the mix, but this just doesn’t feel like a playoff team this season. Take the over 8.5 wins at +120, but stay away from the rest of the prop bets. Baltimore should finish the season with at least nine wins, but that might not get them in the playoffs in the very tough AFC.