NFL futures, 2 Baltimore Ravens bets: Double down on Lamar Jackson?
Baltimore locked in Lamar Jackson after multiple seasons of uncertainty, and now it's full steam ahead on a Super Bowl run.
Ravens high-level odds
- Wins: Over 9.5 (-170) | Under 9.5 (+150)
- To Win Division: +220
- To Win Conference: +1100
- To Win Super Bowl: +2000
Baltimore went 10-7 last season and clinched a playoff spot, falling to the Bengals in the Wild Card round. One has to view 2022 as a success for Baltimore in some regards, they were able to grab 10 wins and make the playoffs in a competitive AFC despite Lamar Jackson missing five games and parts of others.
Even with Tyler Huntley at quarterback, this team stayed in the mix, a testament to their depth, particularly on defense and along the offensive line.
The drama around Lamar Jackson's contract is in the past. He's signed a long-term extension to remain a Raven, and they've finally started to surround him with weapons. TE Mark Andrews and WR Rashod Bateman were both already in town, and they're now joined by two new receivers in Odell Beckham and Zay Flowers, the latter of whom was taken with the 22nd overall pick in this year's draft.
Now sure, Beckham did not play football last year and is likely past his prime, but last we saw him, he was tearing up the Bengals in the Super Bowl. He can most definitely still play if healthy, and the trio of Bateman, Flowers and Beckham is the best Jackson has ever had in Baltimore.
The offensive line is a key strength, led by LT Ronnie Stanley, and they should be able to both give Jackson time in the pocket and help pave lanes for JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards. The Ravens rushing attack is what kept them in most games last year, and the presence of Jackson for hopefully 17 games will only make that a bigger advantage.
The back seven of the defense figures to give offenses fits this year. Baltimore has Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen manning the middle, and Marcus Williams, Kyle Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey headline a suddenly strong secondary for the Ravens.
Two futures bets to make on the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore to win AFC North (+220 DK)
Found under "Futures'"
Did we give too much away above? Baltimore seems loaded, and because of the will-they-won't-they with Lamar Jackson's contract, it's possible people may be sleeping on the Ravens' prospects in 2023.
Cincinnati still has Joe Burrow and all their weapons, but the value here on Baltimore winning the division seems like a bet worth sprinkling on. At minimum, I like the Ravens to find double-digit wins and secure a playoff berth, this offense feels truly exciting at every level. The AFC North may be the toughest division in football, and to me, that's reason enough to deviate away from the favorite and look to another choice, that being Baltimore.
Lamar Jackson to win MVP (+1500 DK)
Found under "Awards"
Why not double down on the belief that good things are coming to Baltimore in 2023? It's easy to see the narrative here: Lamar Jackson may feel some disrespect and come out like a man possessed this year to prove that he's worth every last dollar.
Narrative or not, this is an ideal situation for Jackson to thrive, assuming of course he can stay healthy.
Jackson took home MVP honors in 2019, unanimously I might add, thanks to 3,127 yards through the air, 36 touchdowns, and another 1,206 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
His availability is the biggest factor here. The last two seasons that Jackson played 15+ games, he surpassed 1,000 rushing yards. If he can hit that statistical mark again, the weapons at his disposal should lend itself to another big passing season as well.
Of the MVP options, Jackson has emerged as one of my favorite value spots at this juncture in the offseason.
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