Given the fact it is ALMOST time for the season to kick off officially, those honors go to the Lost Angeles Rams and the Buffalo Bills. Now seems as good a time as any to look back on the Baltimore Ravens preseason. Three games, three wins. But is it all sunshine and rainbows for the Raven? Have they done enough in the off-season to make it to the playoffs for the first time since 2020? Have they done enough to win their first title since 2012? This is what we’re here to break down today!
The Ravens got off to a solid start in preseason against the Titans! Source: USA Today
Three games. Three wins. Game 1, the Ravens hosted the Tennessee Titans. Starting us off with a 23-10 win! The main problem you’ve got when you kick off the preseason with a win, the hype train starts to roll. But did the Ravens put in a performance worthy of deploying the hype train? Well, sort of. Undrafted rookie Shemar Bridges put down a marker in this one and put his name in the competition for the No.5 wide receiver spot. Whether he can be the one they need as a target for Lamar Jackson remains to be seen, but he played well for sure!
The Offensive line, in general, played well honestly which is a huge change already from last season, the issue is, again. Whether they can keep this up and build on the momentum, moving into the remaining preseason games and even bigger, the regular season. Then there’s Jordan Stout, the rookie punter who got his chance to make his debut and he impressed, no other way to put it honestly! Some promising signs for sure
Game 2, Ravens visit the Arizona Cardinals, another win! 24-17! Firstly, the negatives. Unfortunately, in game 2 of the preseason, the Ravens picked up a couple of injuries, first there was RB Nate McCrary who injured his knee and left the game in the second half. Then you had rookie DL who also injured his knee, leaving the game in the second half, reportedly a hyperextension.
Now, Ravens fans will have been pleased with Isaiah Likely, the 22 year old put up eight catches, 100 yards and a touchdown, not a bad night really! Showing every aspect of his ability, he could absolutely be one to watch for this upcoming season for the Ravens! Then there was the QB Tyler Huntley. Unfortunately Lamar Jackson wasn’t able to play, but in his stead, Huntley was fantastic taking up that starters mantle.
He completed 13 out of his 14 attempted passes which resulted in a total of 129 yards and a touchdown, but honestly it’s not just about the stats, it’s about the first team experience you get playing in a game like this. While many would say preseason doesn’t matter, it’s quite the opposite, players like Huntley get to put in the minutes where they otherwise wouldn’t get the chance.
Finally, game 3! The Ravens host the Washington Commanders and yet another win! Three for three. A little tighter this time however with the Ravens taking a 17-15 win! The third preseason game would see another WR, this time Demarcus Robinson making his debut and he was genuinely impressive. Prior to this game he had only managed to get in FOUR practice sessions. He managed four catches for 135 yards, a very solid debut.
Then there was Anthony Brown, the QB who threw some very nice ball in this game, 15 completed passes from 19 attempts with a total 256 yards. ZERO interceptions and one touchdown for Robinson. Honestly, the Ravens have connected their QB and WR options very well in this preseason and I think they could have a pretty exciting season to look forward to, many options that WORK and work WELL!
Demarcus Robinson scored his first touchdown as the Ravens made it 3 for 3 against the Washington Commanders in preseason. Source: Baltimore Ravens
So, given how pre-season went for the ravens, what are we looking at moving forward? The most logical place to start would be the Ravens first game of the season! So, who do they face to kick off the 2022-23 NFL season? WELL, they have the privilege of being hosted by the New York Jets as they visit the MetLife Stadium. But the question is how do the sportsbooks feel this one is going to go?
Well! The Ravens are unanimously the favourite going into this fight sitting nicely at 3/10, which doesn’t return a lot admittedly. A $5 bet returns $6.50 here, but if you think the Ravens will be slipping up at their first test of the season then checking out the Jets you’ll be looking at 13/5 which returns $18 from a $5 bet. Randomly if you’re feeling a New York double and fancy the Jets AND the Giants to win during opening weekend.
But what about the wider view of the upcoming season? What do the experts think this season holds at the end for the Ravens? Well checking out betmgm Maryland sportsbook for odds this season, if you want to put money on the Ravens to take the Vince Lombardi Trophy back to Baltimore then you’ll be looking at 18/1 odds, which again looking at a $5 stake will return you $95. Which, if you’d like a comparison, the favourites this season are the Buffalo Bills at 6/1 which is a $35 return from $5.
ANYWAY! Ravens fans, how are you feeling for this season? Are you happy with the way your pre-season went? Has anything you’ve seen so far caught you off guard in a bad way? Is there any work they’ve done in the trade window that you don’t agree with? On the other side of that coin, is there any one player you think would have taken you to the next level and potentially been able to take you all the way to another Super Bowl title?
Ultimately, it’s a long old season and you can’t realistically gauge how you’re going to do based on how you did in preseason, even if you have DOMINATED every single game in preseason. When all the marbles are on the line, teams perform well ahead of their own ability, there’s a reason people like to bet on the underdogs. However, given the season is starting, it’s time to wish good luck to everyone involved. Let’s make it a season to remember, for all the right reasons!
