Ravens vs. Washington Point Spread: NFL Pre-Season Week 3 Odds, Prediction
One of the most unusual NFL streaks in history is on the line Saturday when the Baltimore Ravens visit the Washington Football Team to conclude their preseason schedules. The Ravens are 4-point favourites to win on the NFL preseason odds with a total of 32.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Both these clubs were playoff teams last season. Baltimore is -313 to return to the postseason this year and +230 to miss – it would be a shock if the Ravens don’t make it. Washington is -175 to miss the playoffs coming off an NFC East title (albeit with a 7-9 record) and +141 to make.
Because these franchises are located so close together – Washington actually plays in Maryland – they play nearly every preseason. Baltimore has won eight of the past 10, covering the spread in seven. They did meet in the 2020 regular season with Baltimore a 14-point road favourite and winning 31-17. Former MVP Lamar Jackson threw for 193 yards and two scores and rushed for 53 yards and a touchdown. Dwayne Haskins threw for 314 yards for Washington but is now a backup QB in Pittsburgh.
Baltimore is a stellar 39-12 all-time in preseason games under Coach John Harbaugh, and Washington is 1-1 under Ron Rivera.
Baltimore Ravens
Of course the Ravens are 2-0 in this preseason because they are a juggernaut when the games don’t count. Their 20-3 win at Carolina last Saturday was, incredibly, their 19th straight preseason victory, tying a league record set by Vince Lombardi’s dynastic Green Bay Packers from 1959-62. The streak dates to 2016 and Harbaugh has made it clear he thinks every game means something. Star QB Lamar Jackson hasn’t played in this preseason but probably will at least a bit Saturday because the team only has one other healthy QB in Tyler Huntley. Presumed No. 2 Trace McSorley played the opener, but then got hurt and is out. Rookie first-round wideout Rashod Bateman has missed both games following core muscle surgery and probably misses at least a few into the regular season. The entire wide receiver group has been hit hard by injury of late.
Washington Football Team
Washington coach Ron Rivera and defensive star Chase Young both somewhat smack-talked the Ravens’ preseason winning streak this week, essentially saying it doesn’t matter. So that’s interesting. Rivera wouldn’t say how much his starters will play Saturday but it’s not expected to be much, if at all. Rivera still hasn’t named his Week 1 regular season QB, but if it’s not Ryan Fitzpatrick over Taylor Heinicke, it will be a stunner. Perhaps the most impressive Washington player so far has been rookie running back Jaret Patterson. The undrafted rookie out of Buffalo clearly has earned a roster spot. Vaccinated special teams coach Nate Kaczor was placed on the COVID list Tuesday, so that’s something to monitor regarding any potential players who were close contacts.
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