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2006 Ravens Betting Preview

NFL News- July 29th, 2006 9:50am
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Vip.com - Ravens Preview - July 28, 2006

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Sports Edge's profile of all 32 NFL teams continues today with the AFC North's Baltimore Ravens.

Bengals

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VIP Odds

Baltimore is 35:1 to win the Super Bowl, 17:1 to win the AFC Championship, and 5:1 to win the AFC North. Their Over / Under win total is 8.

Schedule

Baltimore’s 2006 opponents had a record of 134-122 in 2005. That is the 5th hardest in the AFC. The Ravens get their bye-week after Week 6.

Like all the NFC North teams, the Ravens have a tough schedule playing the NFC South and AFC West divisions. Their road schedule looks absolutely brutal with games at Tampa Bay, Denver, and Kansas City in addition to division rivals, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.

Sports Edge Analysis

Quarterback, Steve McNair comes over from the Titans and he brings instant respect as a former league MVP and a guy who has made it to the Super Bowl. McNair’s biggest question is always his health as he hasn’t played in all 16 games since 2002.

McNair benefits from having a receiver that he is already very familiar with in Derrick Mason. Mason and McNair were a potent duo in Tennessee and they should pick up where they left off.
Mark Clayton is an up and comer at the other wide receiver slot and tight end Todd Heap is one of the best in the NFL.

The running game is also promising with the tandem of Jamal Lewis and Mike Anderson. There is no doubt that Lewis has been slipping the last couple of years, but there is nothing better than a 1,000 yard guy behind you to get motivated.

The biggest weakness on offense looks to be the offensive line. Jonathan Ogden is still a guy you want lining up at left tackle, but he is not as dominant as he once was. Overall the line is a below average group and is one of the reasons for Lewis’ drop-off.

The Ravens’ were second in the AFC in yards allowed last year and fifth in points allowed. They have as many big names as any team in the NFL with Ray Lewis at linebacker, Terrell Suggs at defensive end, Ed Reed at safety and Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle at cornerback.

Fortunately for Baltimore, they also have lesser known solid players like linebackers Adalius Thomas and Bart Scott, and defensive lineman Kelly Gregg.

Throw in veteran defensive lineman Trevor Pryce who signed a big deal, and first round run stuffer Haloti Ngata, and you can see why fans are excited about this defense. Now, all they have to do is keep Ray Lewis happy and healthy and it might all just come together.

Prediction

Coach Brian Billick is entering his 8th season with Baltimore and in many ways this is a make or break year for him. Billick won a Super Bowl in 2000 with this team, but the goodwill from that victory has all but worn out.

The addition of McNair gives both sides of the ball a lift. It may even boost the defense more because they won’t feel like they have to shutout their opponent to win. The prediction for this team is a 9-7 record, and that is only because the schedule is so tough. Look for the Ravens to be in the playoff hunt.

Click any of the following teams for their NFL 2006 Betting Previews

Posted by miker at July 28, 2006 07:59 AM

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