This is a lot of points to lay but it also sets up as the perf4ect get-right spot for the Ravens following their season-opening loss to the Chiefs. Don't expect the Raiders to go quietly but they will not be able to hang with Baltimore for all four quarters.

So much for success late last season that helped Raiders interim HC Antonio Pierce get the job on a full-time basis. The offense looked sluggish, and new QB Gardner Minshew mostly ineffective, in last week's loss to the Chargers. There is a different feel about the Ravens' 0-1, literally one inch from being able to force a game-winning 2-point conversion as time expired at KC. Lamar Jackson, seeing his first action of 2024 after sitting out the preseason, had the kinks worked out by the opening drive in which Baltimore scored. The Ravens also surely remember that Minshew engineered an OT upset at M&T Bank Stadium while with the Colts last season, and are not likely to be caught by surprise again. Play Ravens

Here's what I don't like about the Raiders Gardner Minshew. He's a perfect backup quarterback who comes in and gives it his all, hustles, and good throws, but as a starter for your team for the entire season he seems like the wrong answer. The Raiders knew they needed a quarterback and thought Minshew was the answer. It doesn't seem very bright. The last time they played was in 2021 when the Raiders won 33-27 in overtime but that was with Derek Carr. Lamar Jackson had a rough time of it against the Chiefs but statistically, he was strong with 273 yards passing no interceptions, and 122 yards on the ground. Derrick Henry wasn't that much of a factor, that'll change this week. Ravens cover.

This is the bet to make if you think the Ravens are going to win the game. The Ravens won on 8 of 9 occasions when Jackson went under 30 pass attempts last year. In fact, over Jackson's career he's thrown 30 or more times in 18 career wins ... and under 30 times in 39 career wins! That's a 2-to-1 ratio! And we saw last week that the equally-conservative Chargers offense asked Justin Herbert to throw just 26 times against the Raiders. And if that's not enough, I'd suggest that this week is a game where Derrick Henry gets every opportunity to run for the Ravens against the Raiders. If that happens, Jackson certainly won't have to throw very much.

The Ravens lost by a toe in a tough road opener against the Chiefs, while the Raiders couldn't be bothered to try and pick up a first down on fourth-and-1 in Chargers territory down six with seven minutes left. Clearly these two franchises have different levels of motivation this season, and I'm less worried about the Ravens' weakness on the O-line after the Raiders lost multiple players on their defensive front to injury. Expect the Baltimore defense to shut down a Vegas offense that the head coach doesn't trust and Lamar Jackson to score enough to win by double digits.

Henry should feast v the Raiders and he should be the focus of the game plan. He should rumble through the secondary, especially in the second half

The Raiders lost Malcolm Koonce (8 sacks last season) before the 2024 season began, and in Week 1 Tyree Wilson (last year's No. 7 overall pick) sprained his knee. So the Ravens will be able to focus on blocking Maxx Crosby. Baltimore had extra time to prepare following its heartbreaking season-opening defeat. Lamar Jackson, who sat out of practice Monday, is expected to return Wednesday. Do-everything safety Kyle Hamilton didn't make a huge impact at K.C., but I'm betting he will versus Gardner Minshew and the Raiders' suspect offense.

Ravens played a great game against the Chiefs last Thursday Night. Although a lot of energy was spent trying to come back, expect them to get off to an early start against the Raiders. Right now, the Raiders run game nor QB play is enough to threaten the spread in this game.

Methinks this total will drop. Ravens OL issues are considerable and Lamar Jackson cant scramble all over the place all the tine. The LV DL will be a big problem for them and should mitigate big plays downfield. Raiders only allowing about 16 PPG since Antonio Pierce took over as coach last season, but they are terribly limited offensively. Gardner Minshew beat Ravens in BAL last year in low-scoring game and can make enough plays to keep clock ticking but will be tough in redzone. Even with an 84-point game on there, Raiders game totals under AP are under 38 PPG and were 6th-lowest in NFL from Week 9 on, with him as coach.