OWINGS MILLS — The Ravens are the unanimous pick to beat the Las Vegas Raiders in their home opener at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday.
Here’s the roundup:
Analysis: “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.”
Prediction: Ravens 27, Raiders 16
Analysis: “Baltimore’s vulnerable O-line can win consistently against Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins, and whether Lamar Jackson’s “day off” has him feeling refreshed after all the hits he took (and delivered) last week. If the reigning MVP is able to mitigate the Raiders’ pass rush with his legs, and get involved in the ground game — even as a decoy — it should open up opportunities for Derrick Henry, who’s made a Hall-of-Fame-caliber career out of wearing down defenses with 3-yard gains before breaking off soul-crushing 70-yarders. Not ruling anything out — especially after last week’s shocker in Cincinnati — but Gardner Minshew and Co. will have to play a near-perfect game in Baltimore for Vegas to hit snake eyes on the season.” By Ali Bhanpuri
Prediction: Bhanpuri: Ravens 23-18; Brooke Cersosimo: Ravens 33-17; Dan Parr: Ravens 24-14; Gennaro Filice: Ravens 22-17; and Tom Blair: Ravens 25-14
Analysis: “No team wants to lose the season opener, especially to an AFC rival. The Ravens lost to Kansas City last Thursday in a squeaker, but they will rebound Sunday against the Raiders. Las Vegas doesn’t have much of a running game and its passing game is just as bad with quarterback Gardiner Minshew II. Vegas is also making a trip from out west to play in Baltimore. The Ravens’ defense has something to prove after a weak performance in Kansas City, and Lamar Jackson should be able to get more of his playmakers involved in the offense. The Raiders, though, have a strong defensive line, which could be a challenge for the Ravens.” By Mike Preston
Prediction: Ravens 28, Raiders 17:
Analysis: “This is the highest line of the week. The Ravens piled up 452 yards in a Week 1 loss to the Chiefs. Lamar Jackson will make it work with the combination of Derrick Henry on the ground and tight end Isaiah Likely, who starred in Week 1 with nine catches for 111 yards and a TD. Las Vegas did not run the ball consistently around Gardner Minshew in Week 1. Baltimore was 6-4 ATS as a home favorite last season, but this should be a comfortable victory.” By Bill Bender
Prediction: Ravens 34, Raiders 20
Analysis: “The Raiders are very much in a transitional period, but 10 points is a little rich for a ball-control offense that struggles to completely dominate and put teams away. I could see the Ravens jumping out to a lead, only to see Vegas cut into it later in the game; that has been a fairly prominent trend for Baltimore in recent seasons — they rarely blow teams out.” By Lorenzo Reyes
Prediction: Reyes: Ravens 24, Raiders 19; Tyler Dragon: Ravens 31, Raiders 20; Richard Morin: Ravens 30, Raiders 10; and Jordan Mendoza: Ravens 27, Raiders 10
Analysis: “Ravens coach John Harbaugh said RB Derrick Henry wasn’t brought in for 30-plus carries per game, but Baltimore wants to get him more involved than his Week 1 performance (13 carries). Henry should have an opportunity to get on track against a Raiders defense that allowed 176 rushing yards to the Chargers last week and ranked 21st against the run last season. Henry, who was limited to 46 yards rushing in his Ravens debut, has been held under 50 yards rushing in consecutive games only three times since 2019.” By Jamison Hensley
Prediction: Kahler’s pick: Ravens 28, Raiders 16; Moody’s pick: Ravens 34, Raiders 16; and Walder’s pick: Ravens 24, Raiders 16
