The Las Vegas Raiders (0-1, 0-1 ATS, 0-1 O/U) face off against the Baltimore Ravens (0-1, 0-1 ATS, 1-0 O/U) this Sunday in an exciting AFC matchup. The Raiders are coming off a disappointing loss against the Chargers, while the Ravens also fell short against the Chiefs. The last time these teams clashed was in 2021.
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Raiders Encounter Tough Start to Season
The Las Vegas Raiders are in a rebuilding phase after finishing last season with an 8-9 record. They struggled offensively in their opening game, suffering a 22-10 defeat on the road against the Chargers, where they entered as three-point underdogs. With eight wins last year, improvement on offense is critical if they aim to surpass that mark this season.
In an unexpected move, Gardner Minshew was named the starting quarterback, taking the reins from Aidan O’Connell, who had a promising rookie season. Minshew, who played every game for the Colts last year, accumulated 3,255 passing yards and had a 16:9 touchdown-to-interception ratio. In his first game this season, he recorded 257 passing yards, along with one touchdown and one interception.
The Raiders boast a solid ground attack led by Jamir White, who is stepping up after being behind Josh Jacobs last year. The 24-year-old managed 451 rushing yards last season and gained 44 yards in the opener. Davante Adams, one of the league’s top receivers, leads the receiving corps, having recorded 1,144 receiving yards last season and 59 yards in the season opener. Overall, the Raiders’ offense managed just 296 total yards against the Chargers’ defense.
Defensively, the Raiders have standout players like Maxx Crosby, who is among the finest defensive ends in the league with 15 sacks last year. Their cornerbacks, Jack Jones and Jakorian Bennett, contributed to a unit that allowed 316 total yards against the Chargers. Last season, the Raiders ranked 11th in pass defense but struggled against the run, placing 20th.
In terms of scoring, Las Vegas averaged 19.5 points last season, ranking 23rd in the league, while they allowed an average of 19.5 points, placing them seventh in scoring defense.
Ravens Aim to Bounce Back at Home
The Baltimore Ravens are eager to secure their first win of the season as they prepare for their home opener. Following a competitive 27-20 loss to the Chiefs in their first game, where they were 2.5-point underdogs, the Ravens are determined to improve. After losing in the AFC Championship last season, they have high hopes for their revamped roster this year, especially in the tough AFC North, where starting 0-2 is not an option.
Lamar Jackson, who threw for 3,678 yards last year with a 24:7 touchdown-to-interception ratio, was not the problem in their opening loss. He finished the game with 273 passing yards and added 122 rushing yards, though he did miss some open receivers in crucial moments. The Ravens also feature a strong running game, bolstered by the addition of Derrick Henry, who rushed for 1,167 yards last season. However, Henry was underutilized in the opener, managing only 46 rushing yards on 13 carries.
In the passing game, the Ravens rely on Mark Andrews and Zay Flowers. Andrews, one of the league’s elite tight ends, had a quiet performance last week with just 10 receiving yards. Meanwhile, rookie sensation Zay Flowers contributed with 37 yards. Baltimore’s offense was a bright spot last week, amassing 452 total yards against a formidable defense.
Last season, the Ravens’ defense was among the best in the NFL, and they look to maintain that reputation. They surrendered 353 total yards against the Chiefs last week, featuring stars like Nnamdi Madubuike, Roquan Smith, and top cornerback Marlon Humphrey. Brandon Stephens joins Humphrey in the secondary. Linebacker Kyle Van Noy, however, is unlikely to play due to not practicing this week. Last season, Baltimore ranked sixth in pass defense and 12th against the run.
On the offensive side, the Ravens averaged 27.7 points last season, placing them fourth in the league, while their defense held opponents to just 16.2 points, leading the NFL in scoring defense.
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Best Bets for Las Vegas Raiders vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Las Vegas Raiders faced challenges in their season opener, struggling to put points on the board. This presents a difficult matchup against the formidable Ravens defense, which was the best in the league last season and appears to maintain that level of play. The Ravens are eager to bounce back after their opening loss and are likely to deliver a strong performance.
Additionally, the Raiders’ rush defense was inconsistent last season, ranking 20th in yards allowed. They must contend not only with Jackson and his run-pass options but also with the newly acquired Derrick Henry. The Ravens tallied 452 total yards against a solid defense last week, while the Raiders managed only 10 points and 296 total yards in their opener. Last season, the Ravens allowed the fewest points in the NFL, and five of their home victories came by 10 or more points.
