Listen to NFL Vegas sharps RJ Bell and Steve Fezzik join co-host Jonas Knox on ‘Straight Outta Vegas’ to preview the 2nd ranked team on their 2020 win/total prediction rankings, the Baltimore Ravens.
The Ravens are coming off one of the most dominant regular seasons of the era after posting a +249 point differential, the most since the 16-0 Patriots notched an NFL-record +315 in 2007.
They rushed for the most yards in NFL history, became the first team in league history to average over 200 passing yards and 200 rushing yards in a single season, they were the first team since 2016 to rank in the top 3 in scoring offense and scoring defense, and Lamar Jackson broke the single-season record for rushing yards at the quarterback position.
They sent an NFL-leading 12 players to the Pro Bowl, were the only team to score at least 20 points in every game all year, and they were the only team to rank in the top 5 of rush offense (1) and rush defense (5) as well.
But for as much acclaim they earned during the four months of the regular season, Jackson did have his second consecutive one-and-done exit from the postseason as a home favorite.
Jackson had a 51.1% completion percentage, and 68.3 passer rating in the two games combined, including 11 sacks, 4 fumbles, and 3 interceptions.
Even though Jackson led the league with 36 touchdown passes, he ranked just 22nd in the league in passing yards, and has been rather exposed in two playoff losses in games where Baltimore went down early and was forced to abandon the run.
Baltimore’s key acquisitions for 2020 included right guard DJ Fluker from the Seahawks, defensive end Calais Campbell from the Jaguars, defensive end Derek Wolfe from the Broncos, and drafted LSU linebacker Patrick Queen in the first round.
Notable losses included Seth Roberts, Hayden Hurst, Marshall Yanda, Chris Wormley, Patrick Onwuasor, Brandon Carr, and Tony Jefferson.
Their over/under for wins is 11, their odds to win the Super Bowl are 5/1, their odds to win the AFC are 5/2, their odds to win the AFC North are 5/9, and they’re -750 to make the playoffs.
Check out the entire segment above.