2021 NFL Betting and Fantasy Team Preview: Baltimore Ravens
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Baltimore Ravens Team Betting Preview
Win Total (over):11 (-120)
Games Favored:15
Games as a TD Favorite:6
Games as a TD Underdog:0
In case the “running backs don’t matter” crowd needed more ammunition, Baltimore’s win total held steady at 11 even after the announcement that J.K. Dobbins would miss the entire season with a torn ACL. To put it another way, this team is going to be good regardless of who is carrying the ball. While I’m not interested in laying juice on the Ravens to win more than 11 games, I do like the idea of betting them to win the AFC Championship (+750 @ BETMGM) and with the possibility of hedging and guaranteeing some profit if they make it that far.
Baltimore Ravens Team Projections Preview
Projected Offense Rank:17
Projected Rush Offense Rating: Elite
Projected Pass Offense Rating: Below Average
Projected Points Earned:437.75 (Rank 7)
Rushing Opponents:
Projected Difficult Rush Defenses Faced:8
Projected Soft Rush Defenses Faced:4
Passing Opponents:
Projected Difficult Pass Defenses Faced:5
Projected Soft Pass Defenses Faced:7
Team Defense Rank:2
Projected Rush Defense Rating:Elite
Projected Pass Defense Rating:Elite
Projected Points Allowed:367.25 (Rank 30)
Even without Dobbins, the Ravens project to be an elite run-first offense. Interestingly, their schedule projects to be significantly better at stopping the run (8 projected difficult run defenses faced) than the pass (7 projected soft pass defenses faced). I wouldn’t expect Baltimore’s game plan to change in these matchups but it will be interesting to follow along to see if Lamar Jackson has more success through the air this season.
Baltimore Ravens Fantasy Football Preview
Noteworthy Depth Chart
QB: Lamar Jackson – Underdog Rank: QB4 (ADP QB3)
RB: Gus Edwards
RB:Ty’Son Williams / Justice Hill
WR: Marquise Brown – Underdog Rank: WR49 (ADP WR44)
WR: Rashod Bateman – Underdog Rank: WR67 (ADP WR55)
WR: Sammy Watkins – Underdog Rank: WR78 (ADP WR79)
TE: Mark Andrews – Underdog Rank: TE4 (ADP TE5)
What’s New?: Sammy Watkins, Rashod Bateman – Baltimore sought to improve its receiving corps over the offseason but it’s unlikely to make much of a difference, at least initially. Bateman was placed on IR and will at least miss the first three weeks of the season. Watkins is only 28 years old but showed signs of decline towards the end of his tenure with the Chiefs.
What’s Uncertain?: Running back situation. The Ravens are set to start the season with Gus Edwards operating as the lead back followed by some combination of Ty’Son Williams and Justice Hill. My personal expectation is that Williams will see a similar role to what Edwards played last season while Hill mixes in occasionally on passing downs. If taking shots on either in the later rounds of fantasy drafts, I prefer Williams.
Top Fantasy Play(s): Lamar Jackson, Mark Andrews, Gus Edwards, Marquise Brown