Week 1 in the NFL tends to be a bit random and it’s usually not a great idea to put too much stock into what you see. The games are typically pretty sloppy and we often see strange outcomes all week.
However, the Baltimore Ravens always have been a bit of an anomaly in this area. They are one of the few teams that you can get a good idea about right out of the gate.
BetMaryland.com took a look at the Ravens’ history in Week 1 and the trends stood out. People who go to state casinos for Maryland sports betting should take note.
Since 2011, the Ravens have won seven Week 1 games. They've made the playoffs in five of those seasons. But if you dig deeper into the numbers, you can see a pretty clear trend. In the last 10 seasons, the Ravens have made the playoffs every year when they win by at least a touchdown in Week 1. In addition, when they win the first game of the season, they have gone on to have a winning record in six of the last seven years. The exception was 8-8 in 2016.
On the flip side, a Week 1 loss almost ensures Baltimore will not reach the tournament. Last season, the Ravens lost to the Las Vegas Raiders in overtime, 33-27. They would win just eight games and wound up missing the NFL playoffs. Their last Week 1 loss came in 2015, when they lost to the Denver Broncos, 19-13.
The good news for the Ravens is that Lamar Jackson has been fantastic as a Week 1 quarterback. In his three Week 1 starts, the Ravens have averaged 41.3 points per game. In those three games, Jackson has a passer rating of 150.2 with nine passing touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Baltimore has been fantastic in Week 1 since 2016, going 5-1. They've outscored their opponents 204-59 in those six games.
Here is the breakdown BetMaryland.com used.
Remember: You now can bet on sports in Maryland retail casinos but there is no online betting yet in the state. Officials are still hoping to get Maryland sports betting apps in place by the end of the NFL season.
Breaking Down Odds on Ravens-Jets
The Ravens will take on the Jets in Week 1 this year. BetMGM Maryland has the Ravens as a 7-point favorite.
The Ravens also are a -350 favorite on the moneyline and the over-under is 44.5 points.
Baltimore will oppose a familiar face as Joe Flacco is set to start for the Jets with Zach Wilson still nursing a knee injury.
While anything can happen in Week 1, it would be a bit of a shock if the Ravens did fall to the Jets. They are the more talented team and shouldn't allow much on defense to Flacco, who is now 37. Baltimore has a very tough schedule to start the year, but this is a good way for them to start the season off at 1-0.
BetMaryland.com is a great source for updates on when online Maryland sports betting will go live as well as for the top Maryland betting promos.
Season Outlook for Ravens
The Ravens are the current favorites in Maryland NFL betting to win the AFC North this season.
FanDuel Maryland favors the Ravens with odds of +145. The next closest team is the Cincinnati Bengals at +165. After a down 2021 season, primarily due to an injury to Jackson, the Ravens are set to be a contender again in the AFC. Their 2022 win total is set at 10.5 (+100 for over and -120 for under) and they have the fifth-best odds to win the conference (+950).
There are still some unanswered questions about the Ravens this year, including how does Lamar Jackson's contract impact his play and can the Ravens replace Marquise Brown in the passing game? But this is still one of the best rosters in the NFL, with one of the most established coaches in the league. Given the history of John Harbaugh and the Ravens, we should know by Week 1 if this team is a serious playoff contender.
