Broncos at Ravens Pick
Despite owning an undefeated record, the Denver Broncos find themselves as underdogs this Sunday when they travel to M&T Bank Stadium to play the Baltimore Ravens.
The Broncos had last week off, but beat 34-23 on Monday night in Week 6. In that game, Kyle Orton was 20-of-29 for 227 yards and two touchdowns in the win as Denver covered as 4-point underdogs.
The Ravens also had last week off, but lost to the Vikings 33-31 in Week 6 as 3-point underdogs. Joe Flacco threw for 385 yards and two touchdowns, while Ray Rice rushed for 77 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. Rice also caught 10 passes for 117 yards in the loss.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com have made the Ravens 3-point home favorites over the Broncos in Week 8. The over/under total for this game has been set at 42 points.
With the way they’ve played this season, it’s hard to go against the 6-0 Broncos – especially considering that they’re coming off a bye and getting points in this matchup. But this is a situation where the bye could actually hurt the Broncos, because it ruins all the momentum they had going into the off week.
The Ravens have lost three straight, but they should actually benefit from the bye because it gave them a chance to go back to the drawing board. Baltimore played extremely well offensively in the fourth quarter of its loss to Minnesota, so hopefully the coaching staff noticed some things that will work against Denver as well.
This is actually a better matchup for Baltimore than most people think. The Ravens’ pass defense has been horrible all season, but the Broncos don’t really have a potent passing game to take advantage of Baltimore’s weakness. We think Ray Lewis and the Ravens’ defense will play inspired coming out of the bye and Baltimore will get a huge win.
Our NFL Week 8 Free Pick for this matchup is: BALTIMORE RAVENS -3 and UNDER 42.
Broncos at Ravens Current Odds
207 Denver Broncos +3 Over 42
208 Baltimore Ravens –3 Under 42
Denver is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Denver’s last 7 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
Baltimore is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games at home
Baltimore is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
DENVER
[LB] 08/05/2009 – Nick Greisen IR ( Knee )
[LB] 09/27/2009 – Spencer Larsen "?" Sunday vs. Dallas ( Shoulder )
[DT] 08/23/2009 – J’vonne Parker IR ( Knee )
[CB] 10/02/2009 – Alphonso Smith is downgraded to doubtful Sunday vs. Dallas ( Ankle )
[OT] 09/28/2009 – Ryan Harris injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. Dallas ( Shoulder )
[OG] 10/02/2009 – Ben Hamilton is downgraded to doubtful Sunday vs. Dallas ( Hamstring )
[WR] 10/03/2009 – Brandon Stokley "?" Sunday vs. Dallas ( Thigh )
BALTIMORE
[OT] 08/04/2009 – Adam Terry IR ( Knee )
[CB] 08/31/2009 – Samari Rolle is expected to miss at least the first 6 weeks of the regular season ( Neck )
[WR] 08/14/2009 – Marcus Smith IR ( ACL )
[DL] 08/15/2009 – Lamar Divens IR ( Hip )
[LB] 09/06/2009 – Jason Phillips IR ( Knee )
[DE] 10/02/2009 – Trevor Pryce is upgraded to probable Sunday vs. New England ( Illness )
[LB] 09/30/2009 – Jarret Johnson probable Sunday vs. New England ( Shoulder )
[TE] 09/30/2009 – Todd Heap probable Sunday vs. New England ( Back )
[LB] 09/30/2009 – Ray Lewis probable Sunday vs. New England ( Concussion )
[LB] 09/30/2009 – Tavares Gooden probable Sunday vs. New England ( Concussion )
[WR] 10/02/2009 – Derrick Mason probable Sunday vs. New England ( Illness )
Posted: 11/1/09 8:00AM ET