Ravens 2021 Season Preview
Looking for 2021 Baltimore Ravens Predictions? Baltimore is one of the most consistent franchises in the NFL. They have made the playoffs the last three seasons and last year they won at Tennessee before losing at Buffalo. Until they win it all there are going to be questions about QB Lamar Jackson and whether the offense can be good enough.
I think it is a fair criticism. Last year the Ravens were tops in rushing offense and last in passing. Also, a fair criticism since Jackson took the QB role is that they tend to be great against bad teams while struggling against the good.
NFL Ravens Predictions & Handicapping Insight
2021/22 NFL Team Predictions – Baltimore Ravens
- Ravens 2021 Win Total NFL Odds: 11 (Over -105/Under -115)
- Baltimore Ravens AFC North Odds: +125
- Baltimore Ravens AFC Championship Odds: +650
- Baltimore Ravens 2022 Super Bowl Odds: +1400
They have tried to improve things on the margins so we will see if they have done enough. This is going to be a good team once again.
Key Additions:
OT Alejandro Villanueva
WR Sammy Watkins
OG Kevin Zeitler
The Ravens are very familiar with Villanueva from his time with Pittsburgh. They were definitely focused on improving the offensive line but there is also nothing wrong with plucking talent from a rival.
Zeitler comes over from the Giants and will join with Villanueva to form a totally rebuilt right side of the offensive line. Better protection could lead to less happy feet from Jackson.
Part of their passing problem is the receiving corps. Watkins was never really unlocked by the Chiefs so it is curious as to how the Ravens will use him. He did not even have 700 yards in a season in KC.
Key Losses:
RB Mark Ingram
OT Orland Brown Jr.
LB Matt Judon
Ingram is an old fashioned winner. Yes, he was seeing his role being minimized with J.K Dobbins emerging but that doesn’t change the impact he had on the team. He would get them the tough yards.
The Ravesn are hoping that their swap of Brown for Villanueva is an upgrade. I am not sure it might just be even.
Baltimore had a good defense last year but they were just 14th in the NFL in sacks. Judon led the team with six. That is hardle elite but they still have to find some way to replace that production.
2021 Baltimore Ravens Predictions: Offseason Analysis
When you lose in the playoffs 17-3 the focus is generally going to be the offense. Baltimore has tried to increase the quality of the weapons around Lamar Jackson with some degree of success but Sammy Watkins and rookie Rashod Bateman don’t look like players that will put them over the top. That is going to come down to Jackson and what level of internal improvement he has completed. His game is super exciting but running quarterbacks have not had a ton of success winning championships. His production was down after a breakthrough season in 2019.
While the Jets offense was one of the worst the defense was just below average. Saleh gets a lot of credit for the SF defense but don’t forget that group was loaded with top draft picks. That is not the case in New York, even this season their top three picks were all on the offensive side of the ball. Quinnen Williams looks like a stud to build around and they have brought in some pass rushers like Lawson and Vinny Curry to beef up the defensive line. If they can get that group to be disruptive than the rest of the defense benefits. That was the formula in SF and New York will be looking to do it on the fly.
2021 Baltimore Ravens Win Total Prediction:
Baltimore won 11 games last season and now they have an extra game to try and match that level of success. They are one of the steadies franchises in the NFL.
The schedule is a little tricky early as they start with three of their first four games on the road. Weeks 3 and 4 look like wins at Detroit and Denver but at Las Vegas on the first Monday Night and a visit from the Chiefs could have this team start 0-2.
The middle of the schedule is where they are going to have to be strong if they are going to get this total. At one point they play 4 straight home games and they have they bye week on Halloween.
Beginning with a home game against Cleveland on November 28th the schedule is very difficult. 6 of their final 7 games are against teams that had at least 10 wins a year ago including both of their games against Cleveland and Pittsburgh. No matter how the standings might look over the first half all three of those teams are going to either win or lose the division down the stretch, even if they have gotten off to poor starts.
Could the over for the Ravens be yet another wagers that hinges on Aaron Rodgers. Baltimore looks to be tight against that 11 win mark and they are hosting Green Bay on December 19th at home. Sure they can beat anyone at home but a happy Rodgers is a true threat and that game comes after back to back games at Pittburgh and Cleveland. A bad spot could look a lot worse or better depending on the Packers. I am leaning over with this group but it is close.
CappersPicks.com has NFL Futures Odds up on a ton of 2021 Super Bowl futures, and you will also find DAILY NFL Football lines up as well.
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