Ravens vs. Panthers Point Spread: NFL Pre-Season Week 2 Odds, Prediction
After a disappointing end to their 2020 season, the Baltimore Ravens are looking to build off a 17-14 win against the New Orleans Saints to open the preseason, last week. They’ll head to Carolina to face a Panthers squad that dropped a 21-18 decision to the Colts in Indianapolis in Week 1 of the preseason.
Baltimore is a 3-point favourite to win on the NFL preseason odds, with a total of 35.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
These teams were due to meet in last year’s preseason before the COVID cancellation. They haven’t actually played each other in the preseason since Baltimore won 22-10 at home in 2016. Carolina got the better of the Ravens the last time they met in the regular season, winning at home 36-21 in Week 8 of the 2018 season. It was quarterback Lamar Jackson’s rookie season, although he didn’t start the game. Jackson went 4-of-5 for 46 passing yards and one touchdown after replacing Joe Flacco.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is one of the more successful coaches in the preseason, compiling a 38-12 career record. First-year head coach, Matt Rhule, has obviously been less successful in the preseason, sitting on an 0-1 career record.
Baltimore Ravens
Like most teams in the league, Baltimore kept their starting quarterback (Lamar Jackson) out of the lineup in last week’s win over the Saints. Tyler Huntley and Trace McSorely split duties in New Orleans. McSorely struggled in the first half, going 11-of-18 passing for 86 yards and an interception. Huntley was much better in the second half, going 12-of-16 passing for 79 yards and scoring the winning touchdown with a seven yard run. The Ravens had a big running game, finishing with 148 rushing yards compared to just 160 yards in the air. Huntley led the team with 43 rushing yards on seven attempts. Running back Ty’Son Williams also had a strong showing, rushing for 41 yards on 10 carries.
The defence was the star, last week. The Ravens forced six turnovers and finished with three sacks. Safety Geno Stone had two interceptions, inside linebacker Malik Harrison forced a fumble and Patrick Queen had a sack for a 12-yard loss. The starters will likely get more minutes against Carolina. Look for Jackson to get some snaps to develop chemistry with new wide receiver addition, Sammy Watkins.
Carolina Panthers
Despite not playing in Week 1 of the preseason, the Panthers are hoping they’ve found their quarterback of the future in offseason trade addition Sam Darnold. With Darnold already secured as the regular season starter, P.J. Walker took most of the snaps in the Colts’ loss. The loss wasn’t on Walker, who went 10-of-21 passing for 161 yards and one touchdown. Walker reportedly has the backup QB job locked up over Will Grier. Grier was largely ineffective last week, going 6-of-10 passing for 31 yards and rushing for another eight yards on three carries.
Terrace Marshall Jr. led all Carolina pass-catchers with 88 yards on three receptions. Only Tommy Tremble also had three receptions. Tremble finished with 19 yards and the Panthers’ lone receiving touchdown. Canadian rookie running back Chuba Hubbard had a huge game. Hubbard ran for 80 yards on 11 carries and looks like he’ll be a big factor in Carolina’s offence this season.
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