We're now into the second week of preseason which gives us a chance to look more at the Falcons and Ravens and two rookie quarterbacks in particular. Let's preview the game and dive into my Falcons vs. Ravens prediction.
My Falcons-Ravens pick is on the under, which is available at 35.5 at most sportsbooks according to our live NFL odds page.
Pick: Under 35.5 (-110)
Saturday, Aug. 17
12 p.m. ET
NFL+
Ravens Odds | ||
---|---|---|
Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 +100 |
35.5 -110o / -110u |
-110 |
Ravens Odds | ||
---|---|---|
Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -120 |
35.5 -110o / -110u |
-110 |
Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute NFL odds here.
The spread has remained steady at Ravens -1.5 since it opened earlier in the week. The total opened at 35.5 and moved up a couple of points to 37.5 on Thursday afternoon before moving back down to 35.5.
All data via Action Network's public betting percentages and as of Friday afternoon.
Atlanta Falcons Betting Preview: Michael Penix Jr.'s Time to Shine
We know that the Falcons won't be playing Kirk Cousins, which gives us a chance to look at the rest of their quarterbacks.
Behind Cousins, the team has a couple of quality backup options. Taylor Heinicke is a solid second-string QB, and we saw during his time with the Commanders that he is capable of leading an offense, something that will matter in this game. However, in last week's win over the Dolphins, Heinicke only completed four of his 11 passing attempts and was outshone by Michael Penix Jr.
Penix was without doubt one of the most eye-opening draft picks, with the Falcons taking him eighth overall despite singing Cousins in free agency. The team certainly believes in him and he showed why in his preseason debut, racking up 104 yards.
We should see a little more of Penix here in what will be a tough test against a Ravens defense that has quality up and down the depth chart.
Baltimore Ravens Betting Preview: Still Kings of the Preseason
It used to be the case that you'd automatically side with the Ravens during preseason thanks to John Harbaugh's incredible record but they lost their last two preseason games last year and then their opening game against the Eagles this year.
As always, we won't be seeing Lamar Jackson anywhere near the field which means veteran Josh Johnson will get more time. The veteran Johnson had a difficult game against the Eagles, completing just 33% of his 12 passing attempts. He should start again here and should do better against a Falcons defense that isn't stacked with star quality.
Rookie Devin Leary was picked in the sixth round of this year's draft and outperformed Johnson last week, completing six of his 10 passing attempts, albeit just for 37 yards and without throwing a touchdown.
Falcons vs. Ravens will be available to stream on NFL+. Falcons-Ravens is scheduled to kick off at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
We're going to back the under here due to the potential QB play. Heinicke struggled last week and the rookie who outperformed him, Penix, is going to face a real step up here in terms of the defense he's facing.
The Ravens are strong across the board and Harbaugh won't want to keep losing preseason games; the Baltimore defense will be fired up.
However, on the other side of the ball, the Ravens lack true quality behind Jackson with neither Johnson nor Leary looking like consistent starters in this league.
Falcons vs. Ravens Pick: Under 35.5 (-110)
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