Perhaps Ravens fans just need to get used to their team’s erratic performances, meaning that Baltimore can look like a fearsome Super Bowl contender one week and then stumble against a supposed inferior opponent the next Sunday. In other words, don't take the Ravens playoff chances for granted.
Over the years, despite being perennial playoff qualifiers, the Ravens’ inconsistent early season play often has resulted in questions about where the Ravens were headed. This season is no different, which doesn’t make it easy getting a read on the team for Maryland sports betting.
After suffering a 17-10 loss on the road to division rival Pittsburgh on Sunday, the Ravens are 3-2 and tied with the Steelers for first place in the AFC North. Heading into that showdown, the Ravens were 4.5-point favorites. Earlier in the season in Week 3, Baltimore was a 7.5-point favorite when they lost in overtime at home to Indianapolis.
The Ravens’ victories have come against Houston, Cincinnati, and Cleveland.
The erratic results have left the Ravens in the position of getting ready for Tennessee for a game in London that they need to stay atop the division. The Ravens are 4-point favorites at Caesars Sportsbook Maryland against the Titans, and Baltimore crossed the pond early to prepare for the game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
London Not a Pleasant Memory
Creating an uneasy feeling for Ravens fans is that many will recall London was the scene of one of Baltimore’s most humiliating losses. In 2017, Baltimore was crushed by underdog Jacksonville, 44-7. The loss had angry Ravens fans burning their jerseys on video on social media sites.
This time, the Ravens have taken the logistical tact of leaving early for the game and taking the whole week in England. Tennessee is expected to travel to London Thursday.
Here at BetMaryland.com – your source for Maryland betting apps – we decided to see if we could make any sense of what good starts mean to the Ravens making the playoffs. We utilized Pro-Football-Reference.com to analyze recent Ravens playoff seasons. Here are the results:
Ravens Recent Playoff Appearances
Titans Game Shapes Up as Key One
Going back to 2010, in eight seasons in which the Ravens made the playoffs, they’ve had four 3-2 starts and went on to win Game 6 three times. On one occasion of a 3-2 start - last season, in fact - they lost Game 6 to drop to 3-3 but still rallied to finish 10-7 and advance to the postseason, where they lost to Cincinnati. The Ravens’ star quarterback Lamar Jackson sat out that playoff game with an injury.
However, a point to consider is that 2022 was the only time the Ravens made the playoffs since 2010 with a 3-3 start. This season, the AFC North standings are bunched with the Ravens and Steelers at 3-2, Cleveland at 2-2, and the Bengals, who many regard as the most dangerous team in the division, at 2-3.
All of which creates an air of mild urgency for Baltimore. After the London contest against the 2-3 Titans, Baltimore plays at home against the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions, who are averaging nearly 30 points per game.
So, the game in London against the Titans might not be in the must-win category but the Ravens could make their life a lot easier by proving the oddsmakers correct and beating Tennessee.
If you are looking to wager on that game, or any other NFL contests, make sure to have Maryland sports betting promos handy.
