NFL-X Baltimore vs New Orleans Point Spread
The Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints end their preseason on Thursday night at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Cappers Picks provides free NFL handicapping tips all season long, so keep checking back in for more of Scott’s 4* FREE NFL picks.
This is the game I’m looking forward to watching the most on Thursday night. The Baltimore Ravens (3-0) head on the road to play the New Orleans Saints (3-0) in a battle between undefeated teams.
Week 4 Preseason Picks
When: Thursday, Aug 28th 2014 at 8:00pm ET
Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome
TV: Local
NFL Preseason Line: Saints –3
NFL Preseason O/U: 43.5 Points
[dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]Click here to view… ATS NFL Stats & Experts NFL Football Betting Insight!
We’re unlikely to see Drew Brees or Joe Flacco in this match-up, but I’m interested in watching the back-up units battle it out with roster spots on the line, as both of these teams have looked good.
Baltimore has beaten the 49ers (23-3), Cowboys (37-30) and Redskins (23-17). New Orleans hasn’t had a tough preseason, but they’ve picked up wins over the Rams (26-24), Titans (31-24) and Colts (23-17).
Check out our in-house Handicapper!!! Click here to Buy Razor Ray’s NFL & CFB Football Picks Today!
On offense, the Saints should have the QB edge while the Ravens will have an edge in rushing. I’ve been impressed with Ryan Griffin who has completed 67.3% of his passes (37/55) for 404 yards and 3 TD’s.
Luke McCown (22/40 for 211 Yards & 2 TD’s) has also looked good and will get some snaps. Tyrod Taylor (25/38 for 240 Yards & 2 TD’s) is playing well for Baltimore, but the Ravens haven’t passed much.
[soliloquy id=”82219″]
Taylor also has 100 rushing yards on 12 carries and can hurt teams with his feet. Baltimore as a team has rushed for an average of 156.7 RYPG with Rice, Pierce, Forsett and Taliaferro all playing well.
The Ravens are averaging 4.4 YPC while the Saints are averaging 4.2 YPC. Mark Ingram has looked in mid-season form during the preseason. Ingram has 21 carries for 148 yards (7.0 YPC) and 1 TD.
Rob Ryan’s defense has put lots of pressure on the QB (11 Sacks) and forced turnovers (+5 TO Margin), but they’re allowing 133.3 RYPG and 249.3 PYPG. That’ll have to improve by the regular season.
We’ve already seen the Ravens o-line struggle, as they’ve given up 9 sacks this preseason. Taylor has been sacked 5 times and the Saints should be able to get pressure on him and force him into mistakes.
Baltimore has been great at stopping the run (90.0 RYPG) and the pass (174.3 PYPG). Rookie C.J Mosley has looked great during the preseason and the Ravens have displayed their defensive depth.
Preseason NFL Gambling Trends:
- Ravens are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Thursday games.
- Ravens are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
- Over is 4-1 in Ravens last 5 games on fieldturf.
- New Orleans Saints are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Thursday games.
- Under is 8-1 in Saints last 9 games overall.
- Under is 5-1 in Saints last 6 games on fieldturf.
Free NFL Pick: Redskins vs. Buccaneers
Free NFL Pick: Ravens vs. Saints
Bet on the Baltimore Ravens +3 (-110)
Both teams are going to be happy with the way the preseason has gone. Flacco and Brees both looked good in limited action, but now it’s time to analyze the depth players before the final cut.
Baltimore has a lot of depth and their defense has been much stronger than the Saints. New Orleans is going to have a tough time running the football and I’m not confident in Griffin and McCown.
They’ve both played well, but the Ravens secondary will be the toughest that they’ve had to face during the preseason. I look for Baltimore to run the football and close out the preseason undefeated.
CLICK HERE TO GRAB OUR BEST Expert CFB Picks for 2014 NFL FOOTBALL Betting! —–>
