Week 1 of the 2018 NFL pre-season kicks off this Thursday night with 12 games on the schedule, including the Baltimore Ravens hosting the Los Angeles Rams. The Ravens got their first taste of exhibition play with a 17-16 win over the Chicago Bears in the Hall of Fame game with their backup players seeing the bulk of the snaps. That will be the case again this week with quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Robert Griffin III back in the spotlight as they battle for the backup job behind starter Joe Flacco. Baltimore is dealing with a number of key position battles this pre-season as they attempt to get back to the post-season in 2018. Meanwhile, the Rams don’t have the same level of competition with a number of veterans set to lead a team that is expected to contend for a Super Bowl this season.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Los Angeles won’t have much to play for this preseason. The key for the Rams will be staying healthy in advance of the regular season. LA went 2-2 under head coach Sean McVay last pre-season but they had much more to prove then. Now they know who they are.

Meanwhile, the same can’t be said for a Baltimore side that is led by John Harbaugh, who has placed a significant emphasis on picking up wins in exhibition play over the last few years. Harbaugh’s Ravens have won nine straight pre-season games dating back to 2016. Harbaugh owns a 29-12 all-time record in exhibition games. His teams are an impressive 10-1 in Week 1.

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams added Brandin Cooks, Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters and Ndamukong Suh to an already impressive roster this offseason. None of those veterans is expected to see the field this week as the countdown continues to the games that actually count in Los Angeles.

At quarterback, we’re likely to see a lot of Sean Mannion and Brandon Allen, which isn’t exactly inspiring. At running back, we’ll see some Malcolm Brown and Justin Davis with Gurley likely out. The Rams don’t have much to get excited about here.

Baltimore Ravens

The urgency will be a lot higher for Baltimore thanks to last year’s disappointment and an intriguing quarterback battle. Flacco is the incumbent starter, but he could be pushed by the rookie first-round pick Jackson or the veteran former first round pick in RGIII. Jackson went 4-of-10 for 33 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the Hall of Fame game and he’ll be looking to play better. Meanwhile, RGIII went 7-of-11 for 58 yards, a touchdown and an interception against Chicago and should all see significant snaps. The quarterback battle should boost the level of play we see from the Ravens offense this week.

Weather

temp	88
condition	cloudy
wind	Northwest 6mph

Injuries

L.A. Rams

Johnny Hekker (P)

Prob Sun Illness - 26 / 01 / 19

C.J. Anderson (RB)

Prob Sun Illness - 24 / 01 / 19

Blake Countess (DB)

Prob Sun Foot - 23 / 01 / 19

Greg Zuerlein (K)

Prob Sun Foot - 23 / 01 / 19

Blake Countess (DB)

Prob Sat Concussion - 30 / 12 / 18

Andrew Whitworth (T)

Prob Sat Knee - 30 / 12 / 18

Samson Ebukam (LB)

Prob Sun Illness - 19 / 12 / 18

Justin Davis (RB)

Ques Sun Shoulder - 16 / 12 / 18

Dominique Hatfield (CB)

I-R Ankle - 09 / 12 / 18

John Sullivan (C)

day-to-day Concussion - 09 / 12 / 18

Baltimore

Chris Moore (WR)

Ques Sun Shin - 31 / 12 / 18

Terrell Suggs (LB)

Prob Sun Hamstring - 28 / 12 / 18

John Brown (WR)

Ques Sun Hamstring - 26 / 12 / 18

Nick Boyle (TE)

Prob Sat Concussion - 16 / 12 / 18

Matthew Judon (LB)

Ques Sat Knee - 16 / 12 / 18

Maxx Williams (TE)

Ques Sun Stinger - 02 / 12 / 18

Gus Edwards (RB)

Prob Sun Ankle - 28 / 11 / 18

Chris Board (LB)

Ques Sun Calf - 25 / 11 / 18

Lamar Jackson (QB)

Prob Sun Stomach - 15 / 11 / 18

Ty Montgomery (RB)

Prob Sun Acquired - 15 / 11 / 18

Injuries

L.A. Rams

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Johnny Hekker (P)	Prob Sun	Illness - 26 / 01 / 19	1-0	0-1	+ -
Hekker is nursing an illness but is likely to be available against the Patriots in the 2019 Super Bowl.
C.J. Anderson (RB)	Prob Sun	Illness - 24 / 01 / 19	1-0	0-1	+ -
Anderson is ailing from an illness but is expected to be fine for the 2019 Super Bowl against the Patriots.
Blake Countess (DB)	Prob Sun	Foot - 23 / 01 / 19	1-0	0-1	+ -
Countess has a foot injury but it is likely he will play in the 2019 Super Bowl against the Patriots.
Greg Zuerlein (K)	Prob Sun	Foot - 23 / 01 / 19	1-0	0-1	+ -
Zuerlein is dealing with a left foot strain but is expected to suit against the Patriots in the 2019 Super Bowl.
Blake Countess (DB)	Prob Sat	Concussion - 30 / 12 / 18	4-0	2-2	+ -
Countess left the previous game due to a concussion but is likely to be cleared in time for the NFC divisional round against the Cowboys.
Andrew Whitworth (T)	Prob Sat	Knee - 30 / 12 / 18	4-0	2-2	+ -
Whitworth exited the last game due to a left knee injury but is expected to participate in the NFC divisional round against the Cowboys.
Samson Ebukam (LB)	Prob Sun	Illness - 19 / 12 / 18	4-1	3-2	+ -
Ebukam is ailing from an illness but is slated to play Sunday against the Cardinals.
Justin Davis (RB)	Ques Sun	Shoulder - 16 / 12 / 18	4-2	3-3	+ -
Davis exited the previous game due to a shoulder injury and it is unknown if he will face the Cardinals on Sunday.
Dominique Hatfield (CB)	I-R	Ankle - 09 / 12 / 18	5-2	3-4	+ -
Hatfield sustained a left ankle injury and is on the injured reserve list.
John Sullivan (C)	day-to-day	Concussion - 09 / 12 / 18	5-2	3-4	+ -
Sullivan left the previous game to be evaluated for a concussion and it is unclear if he will return.

Baltimore

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Chris Moore (WR)	Ques Sun	Shin - 31 / 12 / 18	0-1	1-0	+ -
Moore has a bruised shoulder and his status is in question for the AFC wild-card round against the Chargers.
Terrell Suggs (LB)	Prob Sun	Hamstring - 28 / 12 / 18	1-1	1-1	+ -
Suggs is expected to suit up on Sunday against the Browns despite battling a hamstring injury.
John Brown (WR)	Ques Sun	Hamstring - 26 / 12 / 18	1-1	1-1	+ -
Brown is dealing with a hamstring injury and it is unclear if it will hinder his availability for Sunday's game against the Browns.
Nick Boyle (TE)	Prob Sat	Concussion - 16 / 12 / 18	2-2	2-2	+ -
Boyle exited the last game due to a concussion and it is expected he will clear the league-mandated protocol prior to Saturday's game against the Chargers.
Matthew Judon (LB)	Ques Sat	Knee - 16 / 12 / 18	2-2	2-2	+ -
Judon left the last due to a knee injury and it has yet to be determined is he will be able to participate in Saturday's contest against the Chargers.
Maxx Williams (TE)	Ques Sun	Stinger - 02 / 12 / 18	4-2	3-3	+ -
Williams was forced from the previous game due to a stinger and it is uncertain if he will be in the lineup against the Chiefs on Sunday.
Gus Edwards (RB)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 28 / 11 / 18	4-2	3-3	+ -
Edwards has an ankle injury but it is expected he will play against the Falcons on Sunday.
Chris Board (LB)	Ques Sun	Calf - 25 / 11 / 18	4-3	4-3	+ -
Board was forced from the previous game due to a calf injury and his status is in question for Sunday's matchup against the Falcons.
Lamar Jackson (QB)	Prob Sun	Stomach - 15 / 11 / 18	4-4	4-4	+ -
Jackson is dealing with a stomach issue but is expected to be active in Sunday's game against the Bengals.
Ty Montgomery (RB)	Prob Sun	Acquired - 15 / 11 / 18	4-4	4-4	+ -
Montgomery was recently acquired via a trade but is expected to be available for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Rams vs. Ravens Prediction