NFL Futures: The Baltimore Ravens suffered a steep fall last year as they went from defending Super Bowl champions to end up as a team that lost its final two games to finish just 8-8 overall and out of the playoffs. The Ravens lost too many key components from their Super Bowl team and the roster remake was too drastic to maintain their established level of excellence. Add to the fact that QB Joe Flacco had his worst season and there is plenty of reason to believe that 2014 could be much better for the Ravens. The Ravens opened at 40/1 to win the Super Bowl and were an 18/1 choice to win the AFC championship. Baltimore opened with an over under win total of 8.5 at -130 over and even money under.
Flack with Flacco
Flacco signed a huge $120 million contract after the Super Bowl win and went on to throw 22 interceptions and have a horrible season that made him come off as fat and happy, even if that was actually not the case. Flacco believes that the NFL’s 29th ranked of last year will be improved. Top draft pick CJ Moseley arrives from Alabama where he was an all-everything linebacker and should help bolster the defense that ranked in the middle of most categories for 2013.
Handicapper’s Notes
The Ravens have covered the spread in six out of their last 11 away games with just eight out of their last 20 away games going over the total. Baltimore has beaten the point spread in just eight out of their last 20 home games with seven out of their last 10 home games going under the total. The Ravens have lost just five out of their last 14 games against the spread as a favorite with just five out of their last 17 games as a chalk going over the total. Baltimore has covered the spread in 10 out of their last 18 games as a dog with just 6 out of their last 20 games as a pup going under the total.
Our Prognosis
There is plenty of potential for an upward market correction on the Ravens this year and in the weak AFC North improvement is probable. Look for the Ravens to get back into the playoffs as a wild card team.
