Baltimore Ravens vs. Las Vegas Raiders Odds & Game Pick (2021)

Sep 11, 2021 - 11:01 AM

Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas finally gets the opening it deserves on Monday night as the Raiders welcome the Ravens in an AFC clash. The stadium officially opened in 2020, but restrictions prevented Raider Nation from enjoying its new home. Baltimore is the road favorite, laying 4.5 (-110) at FanDuel Sportsbook. 50.5 is the total without juice on either side. The Ravens will be without their top two RBs, J.K Dobbins (RB-BAL) and Gus Edwards (RB-BAL), who each suffered a season-ending ACL tear before Week 1. Las Vegas is injured at LB but signed veteran K.J. Wright last week to help fill the gaps. Baltimore comes into 2021 with high hopes, while the Raiders are just looking for some growth in Jon Gruden’s second year at the helm.

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Details

• Opening Line: Baltimore -4.5
• Current Line: Baltimore -4.5
• Over/Under: 50.5
• Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
• Start Time: Monday, September 13, 2021, 8:15 PM ET
• Last Meeting: Raiders 17 at Ravens 34

Overview

Ravens’ running backs were decimated by injury this summer. First, it was J.K. Dobbins, then Justice Hill, now Gus Edwards, leaving Ty’Son Williams and Le’Veon Bell to shoulder the load in this run-heavy offense. Of course, Lamar Jackson is their top weapon. His unique ability to get around the edge and keep drives alive with his legs will be even more important to Baltimore on Monday Night. Although, it is hard to see them clicking on all cylinders with so many missing pieces. The injuries weren’t on offense alone, as CB Marcus Peters tore his ACL too, leaving the secondary shorthanded. This team is just trying to have enough healthy bodies on the field to play by the end of the weekend!

Las Vegas may be dealing with its own RB injury, as starter Josh Jacobs (RB-LV) has missed practices this week with an UNDISCLOSED tag but returned in full later in the week. Additionally, G Richie Incognito is dealing with a CALF and is listed as QUESTIONABLE. If the Raiders want to make this a game, they need to control the clock and keep Lamar Jackson and company on the sideline. It will be hard to do with these offensive cogs banged up.

The Raiders, as mentioned above defense added former Raven Yannick Ngakoue on the EDGE to sack-machine Maxx Crosby. Their task won’t necessarily be to pressure Lamar Jackson but rather keep him from getting outside the pocket. They will hope to make Jackson beat them through the air. Meanwhile, the Ravens will look to penetrate the Las Vegas o-line and hit QB Derek Carr early and often. Justin Houston, Odafe Oweh, and Tyus Bowser should have their names called in this one, with the Raiders starting a rookie at right tackle and missing Incognito on the other side.

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Trends

• Las Vegas was 8-8 ATS in 2020
• Totals have gone OVER in 13 of the last 16 Las Vegas games
• Baltimore was 7-4-1 ATS as 4 point or more favorites in 2020
• Totals went OVER 50.5 points in 6 Baltimore games last year
• Baltimore leads all-time series 9-3

Bottom Line

Even with their injuries, the Ravens are still the more talented team in the trenches. Their offensive and defensive lines will allow Lamar Jackson to sustain drives while forcing Derek Carr to make quick decisions. But, without experienced RB depth, closing out the game (and subsequently covering the spread) will be a major challenge. As long as Josh Jacobs is on the field, Las Vegas will keep Baltimore honest and open up the Raven defense to some deep plays. A two-score lead all night is destined to go up in smoke for Ravens’ bettors. This game screams backdoor cover and over.

Prediction: Baltimore 29, Las Vegas 26 

Picks: Las Vegas +4.5 | 1.0 units, OVER 50.5 | 1.0 units

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Aaron Pags is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Aaron, check out his archive and follow him @FantasyTriage.

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