2009 Baltimore Ravens Team Preview/Predictions
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2008 Record: 11-5
ATS: 12-4
Led by rookie head coach John Harbaugh and rookie quarterback Joe Flacco, the Baltimore Ravens were one of the biggest surprises in the NFL in 2008. Can they replicate that success?
The Ravens took some personnel hits including premier center Jason Brown on offense and linebacker Bart Scott on defense. But the biggest loss figures to be defensive coordinator, Rex Ryan, who guided the Ravens stalwart defense.
The reality is that the Ravens offense is still very pedestrian. They have a young, growing quarterback, a decent offensive line and a stable of backs to run the ball. But as far as weapons go, Todd Heap and L.J. Smith are minor factors at tight end while Mark Clayton is the top receiver on the outside. Most teams wouldn’t mind if 35-year-old Derrick Mason retired but for the Ravens, that shaves 80 receptions off the team.
On defense, the Ravens are still stout but they are getting old. Trevor Pryce will be 34, Kelly Gregg will be 33, Ray Lewis is 34 and Ed Reed is 31. The core on this defense isn’t exactly the fountain of youth.
Most of them were healthy last year but don’t be surprised if their healthy – or performance – diminishes. Without Ryan, it’s hard to know what to expect from this squad. The Jacksonville Jaguars lost their defensive coordinator, Mike Smith, to Atlanta and one of the most ferocious defenses turned soft last year. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots have lost Eric Mangini and Romeo Crennel and kept on humming along.
The likely scenario is that the Ravens offense and defense both take a step back, which could keep them out of the playoffs. They are still a physical team to face but there isn’t enough here to project another playoff berth or a deep playoff run.
Super Bowl Odds: +2550
Conference Odds: +1615
AFC North Odds: +180
2009 Ravens Predictions
Place they’ll finish in AFC East: 2nd
Place they’ll finish in AFC Conference: 7th
Over/Under Season Wins Prediction: Under 8.5
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Dave Golokhov has written for BETUS Sportsbook, Sportsfanmagazine.com, FOX, Askmen.com, Sports-central.org, and the FOXSports.com Funhouse.
2 replies on “2009 Baltimore Ravens Odds | Preview | Picks”
I like the Ravens to win the North, only because I think Pittsburgh will suffer from some hangover effects of winning the Super Bowl.
They are going to have to get more production on offense from Flacco if they have any hopes of winning a championship.
RB’s are past their prime at 30. The Ravens core defense is all 30+ and I think it starts to show this season. The offense can’t be relied on for more than 14-17 pts a game and I am not sure the Ravens D is up to it anymore. Flacco suffers a sophmore slump and the backfield triple threat is not threatening enough. 3rd in the AFC North.