Falcons vs. Ravens NFL Week 16 odds: Spread drops with Lamar Jackson ruled out, Tyler Huntley at quarterback again

When Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was diagnosed with a sprained PCL after getting hurt in Week 13 vs. Denver, the timetable for the former league MVP's return was 1-3 weeks. It'll be the long end, as Jackson will miss a third straight game on Saturday against the visiting Atlanta Falcons. The Ravens had been as high as -8 at various sportsbooks with the potential of Jackson's return, but that number is -6.5 currently and may continue to drop.

There's really no shock here as Jackson hasn't been able to practice all week, which is why there's no huge spread movement happening -- the books anticipated that Jackson would likely sit. Huntley was added to the injury report Wednesday with a right (throwing) shoulder issue but was back on the practice field Thursday and putting the ball in the air.  Huntley told reporters the shoulder was, "Just was a little sore, just managing it and everything."

Including the Denver game in which Huntley replaced Jackson early, Huntley hasn't topped 187 passing yards in the three games he's played. Huntley was an ugly 17-for-30 for 138 yards with a pick last week in a loss at Cleveland, good for a horrific rating of 54.6.

Baltimore (9-5) has fallen a game behind red-hot Cincinnati (10-4) for first place in the AFC North. The Bengals are -195 favorites to win the division, while the Ravens are +150. Baltimore finishes with a home game vs. Pittsburgh and a trip to Cincinnati, while the Bengals are at New England on Sunday, host Buffalo in Week 16 and then host the Ravens in what could be a winner-take-all for the division and at least one home playoff game.

Huntley will have a new weapon on Saturday as coach John Harbaugh said he's expecting receiver Sammy Watkins to play. The Ravens claimed Watkins off waivers early this week after he was released by the Packers. Watkins spent the 2021 season with Baltimore, catching 27 passes for 394 yards and a touchdown. The team was desperate at wideout after losing Devin Duvernay for the rest of the season to a foot injury. Apparently, Odell Beckham Jr. was never a consideration.

Atlanta will start rookie QB Desmond Ridder for a second straight week. Despite a 5-9 record, the Falcons are still in the NFC South race with first-place Tampa Bay at 6-8. Atlanta would be eliminated with a loss and a few other potential results, the simplest one being a Bucs win on Christmas night in Arizona.

Oppressive weather is going to be a factor in many Midwest and Northeast cities on Saturday, but the forecast looks relatively unassuming in Baltimore: "Sunshine. High 22F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph," per Weather.com

The Falcons haven't won a game with kickoff temperatures of 25 degrees or colder since 1966 against the Vikings at Metropolitan Stadium. They've lost 10 straight in games that cold, including the playoffs.

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