Ravens Redskins Odds
Posted by Steve Janus - Google+
This Sunday the Washington Redskins will host the Baltimore Ravens in a crucial non-conference matchup between two teams battling for playoff position. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 EST at FedEx Field and will be televised locally on CBS. Oddsmakers currently have the Redskins listed as a 2.5-point home favorite with the total posted at 47 points.
Why Baltimore Will Cover:
The Ravens four-game winning streak came to an end with a disappointing 20-23 home loss to division rival Pittsburgh. Baltimore is still sitting in prime position to win the AFC North and make the playoffs, as they currently have a two game lead over both the Steelers and Bengals with just four weeks left in the season.
While both teams are coming off highly-emotional games against a division opponent, Baltimore will have an extra day of rest and preparation due to the Redskins playing on Monday Night Football. This is a spot where Washington has struggled in the past, as they are just 2-5 ATS over their last 7 games when playing on Sunday following a game on Monday.
With that win over the Giants on Monday, Washington has now won three straight overall and against the spread. The hype surrounding this team is at an all-time high, but there is reason to believe the Ravens are showing some value. Each of the Redskins three wins during their current win streak have come against division opponents, who they are very familiar with. Washington is just 3-5 vs teams outside of the NFC East and have been beat badly in their two games vs the NFC North. The Redskins lost at home to the Bengals 31-38 and at Pittsburgh 12-27.
Baltimore has been an excellent team to back when they are coming off a game in which they were expected to win. The Ravens are 12-3 ATSoff an upset loss as a home favorite since 1992.
Why Washington Will Cover:
The Redskins are now 6-6 overall and just a game back of the Giants in the NFC East. Ever since this team returned from their bye week they have looked like a completely different team than the one that opened the season 3-6. It’s hard to not like your chances with Washington at home laying less than a field goal.
The Washington offense looked unstoppable at times last week, as the Giants defensive front seven looked lost on their assignments. You simply don’t know when RGIII is going to hand it off, play action pass or take off running. Baltimore’s defense has already been decimated with injuries and just this past weekend lost starting outside linebacker Terrell Suggs. While Ray Lewis is expected to start practicing this week, he isn’t expected to play until next week against the Broncos.
Baltimore’s defense has been no where close to what we have grown to expect over the last decade. The Ravens rank 23rd in the NFL against both the run and the pass and it figures to only get worse without either of their two start linebackers in the lineup.
Washington seems to save its best for when they play the better teams in this league, as they are an impressive 5-1 ATS over their last six games vs a team with a winning record.
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