Ravens figure to provide more angst for fans and another win
Nov 9, 2021, 7:48 PM | Updated: Nov 10, 2021, 2:24 pm
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Marquise Brown (5) catches a touchdown pass in front of Cincinnati Bengals safety Vonn Bell (24) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
The Baltimore Ravens do nothing easily.
Yes, they have the AFC’s best record among teams that have had their bye (6-2; Tennessee is 7-2). Their excitement quotient is off the charts, and their special teams are, well, very special.
Yet they specialize in providing angst for their fans and, probably, for coach John Harbaugh.
“I don’t think we’re ever really out of a game, but you hate to be in those situations,” receiver Marquise Brown said. “You kind of want to start fast so you don’t have to do that. But if you’re in that situation in the game, I’m confident that we can get it done.”
They will need to get it done again Thursday night against struggling Miami (2-7), which just ended a seven-game slide by beating equally woeful Houston. The Dolphins are uncertain at quarterback with Tua Tagovailoa having issues with a finger on his left, throwing hand, that sidelined him against the Texans.
Baltimore, ranked No. 6 in the AP Pro32, is a 7 1/2-point favorite at No. 30 Miami, according to FanDuel SportsBook.
Like we said, the Ravens tend to make it difficult.
RAVENS, 20-16
KNOCKOUT POOL: No reason to read this after Pro Picks flopped for a second straight week following an unbeaten run. Dallas got hammered by Denver. But we’re obligated to keep trying, so it’s INDIANAPOLIS this week.
No. 32 Detroit (plus 9) at No. 10 Pittsburgh
We can’t see the Lions winning, nor see the Steelers covering a big spread.
BEST BET: STEELERS, 22-15
No. 21 Minnesota (plus 2 1/2) at No. 9 Los Angeles Chargers
At some point the Vikings will pull out one of these games. Maybe this one.
UPSET SPECIAL: VIKINGS, 30-28
No. 7 (tie) Buffalo (minus 13) at No. 29 New York Jets
One of many hefty spreads, but the Bills are not trustworthy right now.
BILLS, 30-20
No. 3 Tampa Bay (minus 9 1/2) at No. 27 Washington
Another big spread, but in Tom Brady we trust.
BUCCANEERS, 33-16
No. 19 Atlanta (plus 9) at No. 7 (tie) Dallas
That stinker last week by Dallas came out of nowhere. This will smell better.
COWBOYS, 30-26
No. 22 Carolina (plus 10) at No. 1 Arizona
It looks as if something special is rising up from the Valley of the Sun.
CARDINALS, 26-13
No. 28 Jacksonville (plus 10 1/2) at No. 18 Indianapolis
Yet another huge spread that would’ve been bigger if not for the Jaguars’ upset win last week.
COLTS, 29-10
No. 20 Seattle (plus 3 1/2) at No. 5 Green Bay
Two picks here due to the relative uncertainty of Aaron Rodgers being available.
With Rodgers: PACKERS, 27-20
Minus Rodgers: SEAHAWKS, 22-13
No. 11 Cleveland (plus 1 1/2) at No. 12 New England
The winner of this one has an open path to the playoffs.
PATRIOTS, 21-16
No. 13 New Orleans (plus 3) at No. 2 Tennessee
Mike Vrabel for Coach of the Year? Could be if the Titans keep this up.
TITANS, 24-16
No. 15 Kansas City (minus 2 1/2) at No. 14 Las Vegas
We are still waiting for the real Chiefs to surface. Unless they already have.
CHIEFS, 20-19
No. 4 Los Angeles Rams (minus 4) at No. 23 San Francisco, Monday night
Rivalry games tend to be close, but the Rams can cover this meager spread.
RAMS, 26-18
No. 24 Philadelphia (plus 2 1/2) at No. 17 Denver
We could see the Eagles stealing this one. It should be tight.
BRONCOS, 24-23
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2021 RECORD
Last Week: Straight up: 9-5. Against spread: 10-4.
Season: Straight up: 86-50. Against spread: 75-57-2.
Best Bet: Straight up: 5-4. Against spread: 6-3.
Upset Special: Straight up: 8-0. Against spread: 8-0.
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