oskeimsports
Baltimore Ravens (+1.5) (-110) over St. Louis Rams*
*The Ravens are a 5* investment at pk or better (at -120 odds or less).
St. Louis starting quarterback Marc Bulger has looked terrible in his first two preseason starts as evidenced by the fact that he has completed 10 of 23 passes for 85 yards and three interceptions (14.1 passer rating). Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Al Saunders has been unsuccessful in getting the offensive line comfortable with his blocking schemes, and the fact that left tackle Orlando Pace is questionable tonight with shoulder soreness does not help the situation. "We've been trying real hard to develop our continuity in the offensive line, both from a protection standpoint and a run standpoint, because it all starts there," Saunders said. "My focus, ever since spring workouts, is to find our best five guys and make sure they're in a situation where they play well together." The Rams have averaged a paltry ten points per game this preseason, including 4.7 yards per pass attempt, 4.6 yards per play and 27.5 yards per point. And, Saunders has admitted that he still needs to learn more about his starting quarterback. "I've got to learn about Marc Bulger and what gets him in a rhythm," Saunders said. "And I haven't done as good a job as I'd like to be able to do down the road to get him in a rhythm early in a game." Now, St. Louis will be facing a Ravens' defense that has limited opponents to a mere 15 points per game on the road in exhibition play, including 3.1 yards per pass attempt (51.5% completion rate), 3.5 yards per play (236 total yards) and 15.7 yards per point.
Let's also note that the Ravens are 19-13-1 ATS as underdogs, 6-1 ATS off a straight-up loss as favorites and fall into one of my best preseason systems that is 52-11-3 ATS since 1997, including 14-1 ATS since 2003. Conversely, the Rams are a money-burning 14-18-1 ATS as favorites, 2-7 ATS in game three situations, 3-14 ATS on Saturdays, 1-8 ATS versus non-conference opponents and 4-18 ATS following a home game, while head coach Scott Linehan is 4-5 SU and 2-8 ATS in preseason play, including 1-3 ATS as a favorite. Finally, 2006 Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith will get the start tonight for the Ravens and he has the full support of his teammates. "He knows what to do to put the team in position to win," wide receiver Derrick Mason said. "I think that's what he's been able to do. I think that is what he has exemplified since February - that he can be a leader on this team and that he can be a top-flight quarterback in this league." With Smith battling Kyle Boller for the starting job, let's take the team with more to prove tonight as both quarterbacks will be focused behind center.
Grab the points and invest with confidence - Baltimore wins this game outright.
Rating: 5* (NFL Preseason 'Off Shore Steam' Game of the Year)
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Baltimore Ravens (+1.5) (-110) over St. Louis Rams*
*The Ravens are a 5* investment at pk or better (at -120 odds or less).
St. Louis starting quarterback Marc Bulger has looked terrible in his first two preseason starts as evidenced by the fact that he has completed 10 of 23 passes for 85 yards and three interceptions (14.1 passer rating). Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Al Saunders has been unsuccessful in getting the offensive line comfortable with his blocking schemes, and the fact that left tackle Orlando Pace is questionable tonight with shoulder soreness does not help the situation. "We've been trying real hard to develop our continuity in the offensive line, both from a protection standpoint and a run standpoint, because it all starts there," Saunders said. "My focus, ever since spring workouts, is to find our best five guys and make sure they're in a situation where they play well together." The Rams have averaged a paltry ten points per game this preseason, including 4.7 yards per pass attempt, 4.6 yards per play and 27.5 yards per point. And, Saunders has admitted that he still needs to learn more about his starting quarterback. "I've got to learn about Marc Bulger and what gets him in a rhythm," Saunders said. "And I haven't done as good a job as I'd like to be able to do down the road to get him in a rhythm early in a game." Now, St. Louis will be facing a Ravens' defense that has limited opponents to a mere 15 points per game on the road in exhibition play, including 3.1 yards per pass attempt (51.5% completion rate), 3.5 yards per play (236 total yards) and 15.7 yards per point.
Let's also note that the Ravens are 19-13-1 ATS as underdogs, 6-1 ATS off a straight-up loss as favorites and fall into one of my best preseason systems that is 52-11-3 ATS since 1997, including 14-1 ATS since 2003. Conversely, the Rams are a money-burning 14-18-1 ATS as favorites, 2-7 ATS in game three situations, 3-14 ATS on Saturdays, 1-8 ATS versus non-conference opponents and 4-18 ATS following a home game, while head coach Scott Linehan is 4-5 SU and 2-8 ATS in preseason play, including 1-3 ATS as a favorite. Finally, 2006 Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith will get the start tonight for the Ravens and he has the full support of his teammates. "He knows what to do to put the team in position to win," wide receiver Derrick Mason said. "I think that's what he's been able to do. I think that is what he has exemplified since February - that he can be a leader on this team and that he can be a top-flight quarterback in this league." With Smith battling Kyle Boller for the starting job, let's take the team with more to prove tonight as both quarterbacks will be focused behind center.
Grab the points and invest with confidence - Baltimore wins this game outright.
Rating: 5* (NFL Preseason 'Off Shore Steam' Game of the Year)
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