Ravens vs Packers Betting Odds - Pass defense the key to a Green Bay victory
Ravens vs Packers betting odds give us a second straight “big” game in Monday night NFL betting. Each team does a little bit of everything offensively and defensively and is right in the thick of its respective playoff race, so we can expect a hard-fought inter-conference battle.
| Ravens vs Packers Betting Odds: Line TBD |
| WHAT: NFL betting |
| WHEN: Monday, December 7, 8:35 p.m. ET |
| WHERE: Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI |
| KEY STAT: Packers lead the NFL in total defense |
| PICK: Packers |
Ravens vs Packers betting odds maker breakdown: The Storyline
As of a few weeks ago, many online betting sharps wrote the Ravens and Packers off for dead in their conferences, but a lot has changed since then. Aaron Rodgers has been sensational and Green Bay’s NFL-best defense gives him plenty of opportunities. Baltimore remains an aggressive blitzing team that gets enough offense from Joe Flacco and Ray Rice to win more often than not. Each of these teams has a lot on the line in every game going forward.
Ravens vs Packers betting odds maker breakdown: Offense
Joe Flacco and his cannon arm have a bright future but he’s been hit-miss this season. At times he struggles with his reads and that makes Green Bay’s ball-hawk defense a tough matchup for him. Ray Rice has become an elite all-purpose back, arguably the next great NFL superstar, and is a great check-down option when he’s not taking handoffs.
Ryan Grant has been ho-hum as a runner for the Pack but it doesn’t matter. Green Bay is a passing team and its offense revolves around Aaron Rodgers. Against a Ravens defense that even struggled to contain Dennis Dixon at times last week, Rodgers will test their injury-depleted secondary often.
Betting Edge: Packers
Ravens vs Packers betting odds maker breakdown: Defense
The Ravens have been the standard for defensive excellence in the NFL over the last decade but, funnily enough, the Packers are leading the charge this year. Years of stockpiling defensive players through the draft are paying off. Nick Barnett and Nick Collins are maturing; even B.J. Raji is starting to make his presence known as a run stopper. Defensive Player of the Year candidate Charles Woodson has his work cut out for him without Al Harris (torn ACL) backing him up in the secondary, however.
The Ravens still terrorize opposing quarterbacks but the likes of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are getting long in the tooth and the secondary, likely missing corner Fabian Washington for the second straight week, gets beat for the odd big play. I wouldn’t bet against Rodgers stretching the field with Donald Driver and Greg Jennings.
Betting Edge: Packers
Ravens vs Packers betting odds for total: Not posted
The sports betting total isn’t posted yet but it could be modest considering these teams’ defensive prowess. I’d bet the over, expecting the Pack to take an early lead and Flacco to uncork some big throws as Baltimore tries to catch up.
Pick: Over the total
Ravens vs Packers betting odds maker breakdown: Notable Injuries
Each team has some key defensive starters out; the Ravens lost Washington for the season and probably won’t have Terrell Suggs (knee) back this week. Suggs’ absence stings as he’d likely have a field day against Green Bay’s poor pass protection. The Pack lost Al Harris and Aaron Kampmann to season-ending injuries in the same game.
Betting Edge: Draw
Ravens vs Packers betting breakdown: Outlook and Pick
You never know what to expect when Rodgers faces an aggressive pass rush but Rodgers’ protection seems to be improving ever so slightly of late, albeit against mediocre defenses. The Ravens will make him work but I think he’ll exploit the cracks in the secondary and put Green Bay ahead. That will force Baltimore to pass and play into the Packers’ hands. Expect a shootout but the Pack will win on their home turf – barely.
STAN’S PICK: Packers
The BetOnline sportsbook will update the Ravens vs Packers betting odds throughout the week.
