Will the Ravens make the playoffs?
LAS VEGAS, NV (The Spread) – Will the Baltimore Ravens return to the playoffs after missing the postseason last year? Let’s check out the odds.
Two years ago the Ravens surprised NFL viewers by getting red-hot in the playoffs and winning their second Super Bowl in the last 15 years. But after qualifying for the postseason for the fifth consecutive year, Baltimore failed to make the playoffs last year after finishing with an 8-8 record.
Part of the problem was the fact that the Ravens’ offense took a step back instead of building off the momentum that they created in the previous postseason. They finished 29th in total offense, 30th in rushing and only 18th in passing yards per game. The decision to trade Anquan Boldin in the offseason hurt, but his absence wasn’t the only reason the Ravens finished with a .500 record.
Fast forward to this offseason where the Ravens hope that the hiring of Gary Kubiak as offensive coordinator will make a profound impact on the offense. Kubiak runs a West Coast offense predicated on running the ball and using the tight ends to create mismatches in the passing game. But it starts up front along the offensive line, which is a major problem a year ago.
So will the Ravens make the playoffs in 2014? According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, Baltimore’s odds to make the postseason are 2/1. Their odds to miss the postseason, however, are 5/13 and their win total for the regular season has been set at 8.5. Just based on the odds, oddsmakers must believe that the Ravens will be right around 9-7 this year, which may not be enough to qualify for the postseason.
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