The Baltimore Ravens have not lost a preseason game since 2015. Will they be able to continue that trend when they go up against the New Orleans Saints at home in Week 1 of the NFL preseason? OR will the Saints trip Baltimore up? Check out our preview of this game below.
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Betting Preview for the New Orleans Saints vs Baltimore Ravens Preseason Week 1 Game on August 14, 2021
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
When: Saturday, August 14, 2021, 7:00 PM ET
Line: New Orleans Saints (+2.5) vs Baltimore Ravens (-2.5) – view all 2021 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: NFL Network
Betting on the New Orleans Saints (+2.5)
Regular Season Record: 0-0
The Saints are about to find out their identity in their first season after the Drew Brees era. With Brees gone, New Orleans is left with Tayson Hill and Jameis Winston as the top contenders to be the starter of the team come Week 1 of the regular season. That’s why these preseason games will help Sean Payton determine the winner of this quarterback battle, with the two getting reps alongside the first-unit members. However, the Saints won’t have Michael Thomas in the preseason and in the first few weeks of the regular season, at least. Thomas is still recovering from surgery on his ankle. Apart from Hill and Winston, the Saints will also be giving reps to rookie Ian Book and Trevor Siemian. The Saints also invested a lot in the draft on defensive pieces, as they selected DE Payton Turner, LB Pete Werner, and CB Paulson Adebo.
The Saints, who are third in 2020 in scoring defense (20.9 PPG), are 5-5 against the spread in their last 10 preseason games.
Betting on the Baltimore Ravens (-2.5)
Regular Season Record: 0-0
Unlike the Saints, the Ravens are definitely set on the quarterback position. It’s Lamar Jackson then there are the rest. Jackson may or may not see action in Week 1 of the preseason, but rookie quarterback Trace McSorely should get significant reps this Saturday. In four years with the Penn State Nittany Lions, McSorely had managed to amass 9,899 passing yards and 77 touchdowns against 25 interceptions. He also rushed for 3.6 yards per carry with 30 touchdowns. McSorely is still in competition with Tyler Huntley for the backup role in Baltimore, so expect to see the latter as well against the Saints. One thing you need to know about Baltimore is that it treats preseason games like they’re the real thing.
The Ravens are 10-0 straight-up and 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 preseason games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Ravens win, 21-14.
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