Raiders Ravens Odds
Posted by Jimmy Boyd - Google+
The Baltimore Ravens (6-2) host the Oakland Raiders (3-5) Sunday in AFC non-division action. Oddsmakers have listed the Ravens as a 7.5-point favorite and have set the total at 46.0.
Why Baltimore Covers
The Ravens have lunched on AFC West division opponents at home where they are on a 13-3 against the spread run against them. They have won these games by an average of 9.0 points.
While the Ravens have cleaned up against the AFC West at home, the Raiders have struggled against the AFC North division on the road. They are on a 3-13 against the spread slide in road games against AFC North foes. They have lost these games by an average of 8.3 points.
The Ravens have especially had their way with Oakland. They have won three in a row and six of seven meetings. The last three wins have come by an average of 16.3 points and each came by at least eight points. The Ravens are 5-2 against the spread in these seven games and a perfect 4-0 straight up and against the spread in their last four home games against the Raiders. These four wins have come by an average of 12.3 points. The home team has covered the spread in each of the last four meetings.
The fact Baltimore averages 4.5 yards per rush could be a major problem for the Raiders, who rank 21st in the league against the run with 124.1 yards allowed per game. Oakland, who has allowed an average of 4.6 yards per carry this season, is on a 22-38 against the spread slide versus good rushing teams that average 4.5 yards or more per rush.
Why Oakland Covers
The Ravens have been overvalued all season. They have won five of their last six games but are only 1-5 against the spread in these contests. Four of their last five wins have come by seven points or less.
The Ravens are also 1-6 against the spread in their last seven home games and 0-4 against the spread in their last four games following a win. The Ravens are even on a 0-6 against the spread slide at home when matched up against a team that has a losing record. It has won these games but only by an average of 6.5 points.
Baltimore is also on a 0-6 against the spread skid versus poor teams that are getting outscored by six points or more on the season. The Ravens are only winning by an average of 2.8 points against these teams.
It also can’t go unmentioned that Baltimore is a soft 1-8 against the spread in its last nine home games when valued as a favorite of 7.5 to 14.0 points. It has only won by an average of 6.7 points in these games.
The Raiders are 9-4 against the spread in their last 13 road games, 6-2-1 against the spread in their last nine games versus a team with a winning record and 4-1 against the number in their last five road games versus a team with a winning home record.
The Raiders have a good passing offense that could take advantage of a Baltimore defense that ranks 22nd in the NFL with 246.8 passing yards allowed per game. The Raiders rank seventh in passing offense with 281.2 yards per game.
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