2022 NFL Futures - Ravens Are Healthy and Out for Blood

Welcome back to another edition of Win Totals with Dave Costabile.

Today we're going to closely examine the Baltimore Ravens and why I think they’re primed to bounce back and flex on the AFC North.

 

The odds expressed in this article come from DraftKings Sportsbook.  Please be aware that lines may vary.  If you are unaware of where to bet please utilize our easy to use site to find other sportsbooks in your state.

Become a member of Bet Karma Premium today!  Our Premium services are incredible and a true must have for any daily gambler.  From Props to Futures to Daily Fantasy, we'll guide you through everything you need start to finish.  

 

Baltimore Ravens OVER 9.5 wins (-160 DraftKings Sportsbook)

Your eyes don’t deceive you people.  I’m switching gears to talk about the wonderful world of OVERS.  There is no win total over I love more than the Ravens in 2022.

As a staff, we are lockstep with Lamar Jackson and the Ravens.  Make sure to check out Ryan Broyles’ articles on why we’re in agreement on the Ravens Over and how Jackson will win MVP.

2021 Recap

No team, in what feels like the history of the NFL, had more significant injuries than the 2021 Ravens.  Before the calendar hit the wonderful month of September, the Ravens were already down several starters and many direct backups.  Settle in and prepare for some bullet points:

• RB JK Dobbins torn ACL 8/29/21
• LB LJ Fort torn ACL 8/21/21
• CB Marcus Peters torn ACL 9/9/21
• RB Gus Edwards torn ACL 9/9/21
• OT Ronnie Stanley ankle 9/13/21
• CB Marlin Humphrey torn pec 12/6/21
• QB Lamar Jackson ankle 12/12/21

There’s several more but those are the household names who ended up on golf carts instead of end zones last season.  Somehow, someway, future Hall of Fame coach John Harbaugh got this team of no names to 8 wins.

2022 Outlook

Coming into this season the Ravens expect to be fully healthy by Week 1 and that’s a giant breath of fresh air for the fans (and us as Ravens win total bettors).  WR Marquise Brown was traded to the desert in Arizona which gives 2nd year stud Rashod Bateman the chance to man the outside as Jackson’s #1 WR.  Tight End Mark Andrews (107 rec, 1,361 yds, 9 TD) was unguardable in 2021 and his arrow is firmly planted UP. 

The Ravens brought in one of the best free safeties in the league, Marcus Williams, who has been ranked in the top 7 in four of the last five seasons according to Pro Football Focus.  They also drafted the electric strong safety from Notre Dame, Kyle Hamilton to partner with Williams.  Baltimore should have one of the best defensive backfields in all the NFL.

Let’s get to the Lamar Jackson of it all.

Just 25 years young and with an MVP trophy in his case already, Jackson is healthy and on a contract year.  He is quite literally “betting on himself” in 2022 as his own representation.  I respect that so much.  He sees exactly what some of the other young QB’s around the league are getting (I see you Kyler Murray) and knows if he turns in even 80% of what he did in 2019, the sky is the limit for his bank account.

The Ravens will be getting back to what they do best in 2022.  Running the football down your throat, running the football around your contain, and mixing in an amazing play-action attack.  Last year, Jackson was on pace to throw for a personal record in attempts.  That was because of need and not at all how Baltimore wants to play.  If Dobbins and Edwards return at full strength, they are going to be borderline unstoppable.

The division is clearly in flux with the Bengals coming off a Super Bowl run, the Browns in complete disarray, and the Steelers lining up a QB not named Big Ben for the first time since GW Bush was in the White House.  Cincinnati is clearly a problem and I think they’ll be at the top battling with Baltimore all season.  However, I absolutely think the Ravens will handle the other 2. 

The beauty of the Ravens down 2021 season is they came in last place in the division, which equates to an easier schedule in 2022.  They have games AT Jets, AT Giants, VS Panthers, AT Jaguars, and VS Falcons.  All of which they will be favored in.  In fact, that should be five wins right there.  Scratch across 5 more and we’re all rich!

An all-time coach, a former MVP QB ready to cash in, a healthy offensive line and running game, a rockstar defense, and the best kicker to ever live.  These are the catalysts to a win total victory. 

Jump on board with us.

Written by David Costabile

Twitter: @davecostabile