WEEK 2: LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS

When

Sunday, September 15th at 1 p.m.

Where

M&T Bank Stadium (70,765)

Spread

Ravens are favored by 9 1/2 points (BetMGM Sportsbook)

How to Watch/Listen

Television: CBS / WJZ Channel 13 (Baltimore)

Radio: WBAL 1090 AM / 98Rock (97.9 FM) / SiriusXM Radio Channel 85 or 225

SERIES HISTORY
The Ravens hold an 8-4 regular-season series lead against the Raiders, including a 6-1 mark at home. Under coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens are 5-3 against the Raiders with a 3-1 record at M&T Bank Stadium.

NOTABLE
The Ravens-Raiders series has seen its share of offense, with the teams combining for more than 50 points in five of the past six games. The teams last met in 2021, when Baltimore opened the season at Las Vegas and fell, 33-27, in overtime on Monday Night Football.

2024 RANKINGS
Ravens: Total Offense: 1; Total Defense: 22

Raiders: Total Offense: 18; Total Defense: 20

RAVENS’ GAME PLAN

Offense

The Ravens threw the ball 41 times and had 32 rushes in a 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1. Harbaugh wants to maintain that type of balance. Running back Derrick Henry had 13 carries for 46 yards with a 5-yard touchdown. He played 37 snaps (46 percent of the offense), which were six fewer than his backup, Justice Hill. While the Ravens want to monitor Henry’s carries, he could get more opportunities against the Raiders, who allowed 176 yards rushing in a 22-10 loss to the Chargers last week.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson will also look to get the wide receivers more involved to loosen the Raiders’ front seven, which will keep pressure on him. Tight end Isaiah Likely got most of the work against Kansas City with nine catches on 12 targets for 111 yards and a 49-yard touchdown. Fellow tight end Mark Andrews was only targeted twice, but he was on the field for 59 snaps (75 percent of the offense), taking attention away from Likely, who was effective at getting open. Andrews will be more involved in catching passes against Las Vegas.

The Ravens have three new starters on the offensive line and they had an uneven performance against the Chiefs. Look for Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby to attack the blockers in front of Jackson. The Ravens might need a tight end or fullback Pat Ricard to help contain Crosby.

Defense

Las Vegas struggled to get yards against the Chargers. Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew was 25-for-33 for 247 yards with a touchdown and interception (95.1 rating). The Ravens sacked Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes twice and had seven quarterback hits. Minshew is much less mobile than Mahomes and the Ravens should keep him under pressure most of the game.

Las Vegas also could not develop an effective running game in Week 1. Zamir White led the team with 44 yards on 13 carries. Baltimore held the Chiefs to just 72 yards on 20 carries (3.6 yards per carry). If the Ravens can lock down the Raiders’ ground attack and make Minshew win the game through the air, that would play in their favor.

Prediction

The Ravens are still stinging from the loss to the Chiefs after coming within inches of tying or winning the game in the last second. It’s the Ravens’ home opener and the crowd will be loud. The Raiders can make plays on defense, but the offense won’t be able to keep pace with Jackson and his playmakers.

RAVENS 27, RAIDERS 16