Baltimore Ravens vs. New Orleans Saints Preview
Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome – New Orleans, LA
When: Saturday, August 31, 2017 – 8:00 PM ET
Line: Baltimore Ravens (+2.5) vs. New Orleans Saints (-2.5); total: 37.0 – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: WBAL
NFL News and Previews
- Washington Redskins vs. Kansas City Chiefs Preview - October 2, 2017
- Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos Preview - October 1, 2017
- Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots Preview - October 1, 2017
- 2017 NFL Week 4 Picks and Predictions
Betting on the Baltimore Ravens (-105)
The Ravens continued their defensive warpath over the weekend. They improved to 3-0 in the preseason with a 13-9 win against the Buffalo Bills, where they pounded them for eight quarterback hits/sacks, nine tackles for loss, and 12 pass deflections.
Even if we exclude the stats mentioned above, it is still too easy to hail Baltimore as the squad that’s playing the best defense in the league. They are allowing an impressive 6.3 points and 173.3 total yards (54.7 rushing and 118.7 passing) in their three exhibition games, ALL of which are pacing every team in the preseason.
If head coach John Harbaugh could just solve their problems on offense, and have someone be a decent replacement for Joe Flacco (back), we could probably looking at a title contender. Ryan Mallet is a veteran backup, but he’s only 28-for-50 for 229 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, while Josh Woodrum, though commendable 20-for-27 for 250 yards, two passing TDs, and two rushing TDs, is quite inexperienced.
Betting on the New Orleans Saints (-115)
Speaking of defense, the Saints will be returning from one of their best defensive performances of the preseason. They shutout the Texans on Saturday, 13-0, and like the Ravens, had a big-time stat line – 13 QB hits/sacks, nine tackles for loss, and 12 pass deflections.
The Saints are also right behind the Ravens in points (9.0) and total yards allowed (238.7) per game, so disruption-wise, they may be able to go toe-to-toe with them. Manti Te’o and Al-Quaddin Muhammad leads NOLA’s stat sheet on D, with the former having 15 tackles, one sack, and three tackles for loss, and the latter having seven tackles and three sacks.
Their similarity with Baltimore continues on offense, as they have limited scoring abilities as of late. They only have three touchdowns in three games, and they are 24th in gaining yards through the air (183.3).
Chase Daniel, Ryan Nassib, and Garrett Grayson are the three QBs likely to split time in the finale. The trio is collectively completing 60.4 of their throws, and Nassib is the only one with a passing TD.
The two bright spots on offense are Tommylee Lewis, who paces everyone in the preseason in receptions (14) and is second in receiving yards (165), and rookie RB Alvin Kamara, who has 96 rushing yards on 10.6 yards per carry.
Writer’s Prediction
The Ravens (+2.5) eke out a 13-10 win.
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