Injuries are unavoidable. They are inevitable. Unfortunately for the 2021 Baltimore Ravens, the injury bug got them and not even an exterminator could do anything about it.
If there is one bug that has adapted time and time again, it’s that one. The pest practically took down the entire Ravens roster at one point or another, even causing the team to be among the league leaders in cap hit on injured reserve. Not ideal.
Things were supposed to be different heading into 2022, but sure enough, the bug is back for more. This time it claimed mascot “Poe,” meaning we really won’t be able to quote that raven anymore this season.
There is good news in all of this, however. Head coach John Harbaugh has assured everyone that there will be another Poe this season, while the original recovers from a season ending injury. So if you or someone you know is injury prone, the Ravens would like to talk to you about the services you offer.
The Ravens through the betting lens
In theory, the Ravens can’t possibly suffer a repeat of last season. As the season gets set to kickoff, they are about to get most of the players back that they lost during the previous season.
The Steelers and Browns should not pose too much of a threat, while the Bengals are due for regression coming off the Super Bowl heartbreak.
While the Super Bowl odds for the Ravens aren’t personally appealing to me, the +2000 price tag on DraftKings could be worth a look.
Taking the over 9.5 wins on Caesar’s is much more my style in this case, even despite the less than ideal price of -165.
But perhaps the best bet outside of our BetBasics Best Bet is for quarterback Lamar Jackson to be named MVP once again, which you can get at +2000 on DraftKings or FanDuel. Jackson famously did not get his contract extension this offseason, meaning he will be betting on himself.
For our sake, that is a beautiful reality to have, knowing how players perform when contracts are on the line. Expect him to turn in a big year and potentially capture that second MVP award.
While you are at it, it might be wise to take a flier on the over for any Jackson related futures bet this season.
BetBasics Best Bet
Are the Ravens going to be back to the Ravens of old this year? Maybe, maybe not, but one thing’s for certain. Injuries, at least to the extent they saw last year, cannot possibly come back to bite them again. It’s simple math.
The law of averages backs that up and unless your court follows Murphy’s Law, then we’ll be alright.
With that being said, take the Ravens at +145 to win the AFC North on FanDuel. It’s far and away the best value out there. Odds are, if they make the playoffs, it won’t be as a Wild Card. Therefore take them over the lesser competition the division will be putting out there and enjoy the profit in January.