Sunday Night Football Betting Picks: Patriots at Ravens
NFL Week 9 nears a close with a Sunday night matchup between the Patriots and the Ravens. Online sports betting sites opened with New England installed as a 6.5-point road favorite. Most sites feature a field goal advantage for the Patriots now as Sunday Night football draws near. Here are a quick breakdown and sports betting picks for the Sunday Night affair.
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Sunday Night Football Betting Picks — New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens
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Spread: Green Bay Packers -3
80% of bets backing New England, per VegasInsider.com.
Over/Under: 44.5
66% of bets on the under.
Sunday Night Football presents a matchup between two teams likely poised for a playoff run because of divisional ineptitude. At 8-0, the Patriots sit atop the AFC East — as usual — with their lone competition being the Buffalo Bills who they already defeated. The Ravens are surrounded by ineptitude in a division with the Bengals, Steelers, and disappointing Browns and might be able to rest starters in a few weeks. Jokes aside, the matchup is probably the best game on the Week 9 slate as two completely polar opposite quarterbacks lead the charge into prime time affair.
Tom Brady is considered one of the all-time best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL and has not needed to play like it for New England to be successful. While Tom is the centerpiece of a group of cogs that fit perfectly into an unmatched system, the defense is the real topic of discussion in Massachusets. The Patriots have scored as many touchdowns on defense as they have allowed on offense: four. The Patriots lead the league in sacks (31), interceptions (19), and pass deflections (69). We might be watching one of the best defenses in the history of NFL but certainly, the best defense that has played behind Tom Brady. One might argue that the schedule has been terribly soft — and it has — but the Patriots look like a team that can stop anyone.
On Sunday night, the Pats will probably face their toughest test yet in Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Jackson can be described with one word — dynamic — and will definitely keep the New England defense on its toes throughout the game. So far, Jackson possesses 576 rushing yards to complement his 1650 passing yards. Most of the passing yards were accrued in a Week 1 matchup with the Dolphins but Jackson remains a threat to score from anywhere on the field. Jackson’s major weapon — Marquise Brown — is questionable for the contest and would give the Ravens a legitimate downfield threat if he can suit up.
Speaking of injuries, the Patriots offense is being reconfigured seemingly weekly as Josh Gordon was just released. Julian Edelman is questionable but expected to play while Rex Burkhead also sports the questionable tag. James White popped up on the injury report on Friday and is a game-time decision for the Sunday night game. White would be a big loss for the quick-passing Patriots offense against a Ravens’ defense that does not give up much on the ground (84.3 YPG). The Ravens rank third in opposing completion percentage (59.36%) and the loss of White would take away an easy outlet for Tom Brady.
The Sunday Night Football Pick
As a New York Jets fan, every year gets tougher and tougher as we witness the brilliance of Bill Belichick in New England. That said, as a New York Jets fan I also know better than to bet against the Patriots when the line moves against them. With the line currently sitting at three points, I can’t help but hitch my wagons to the Patriots side before the line moves the opposite way. I do not think I want any part of this line if it moves back to -3.5, so I will grab it now on DraftKings or FanDuel where the price is -115 at both books.
The Pick: New England Patriots -3
Sunday Night Football Betting Picks — First Touchdown
DraftKings Sportsbook normally offers a promotion for each primetime football game on first touchdown bets. If the player you bet on doesn’t score the first touchdown but scores a touchdown at any time, you will receive your bet back as a free bet. Just be sure to opt into the promo before placing your bet. Here are a few options.
Sony Michel +700
Julian Edelman +1000
Lamar Jackson +1300
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Here are my favorite Monkey Knife Fight picks for Sunday Night Football:
Tom Brady Under 279.5 Passing Yards
Lamar Jackson Under 200.5 Passing Yards
Image Credit: USA Today Sports Images