The Baltimore Ravens were slammed with a devastating 13-3 loss to the Cleveland Browns in NFL week 15, with the Cincinnati Bengals dethroning them from first place and entering their 10th win of the season. The Ravens are now on a 9-5 record and have decreased to the second spot in the AFC North after this heart-wrenching encounter.
Even though it was a close fight against their adversaries and somewhat of an unexpected upset, their previous invincibility seemed to come to an end as they faced off against the Buccaneers (6-8). Such losses can be traumatizing for any team, especially when it has such high standards to live up to. As they step into a new week with renewed optimism, they’ll be looking to raise back up their former glory in the next coming games.
While it’s easy to put some of the blame on Tyler Huntley for last week’s tough loss to the Browns, it should be noted that the Ravens running backs had an outstanding game, allowing the offensive line to limit the quarterback’s passing attempts.
Ultimately, Huntley was not able to bring his team within striking distance toward a win. His difficulties were embodied in what ended up being their final possession when he showed an inability to make enough passes necessary for victory. Though it might be tempting to point fingers at him alone, other factors must be taken into consideration when analyzing this performance.
Meanwhile, the Falcons are on the brink of losing their remaining playoff contention chances as they head through this week. Standing with a 5-9 record after falling short over the Louisiana Saints last week, the Falcons are currently at the bottom of the NFC south. However, there is still hope as the top performer of the division – Buccaneers – only on have a 6-8 record.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Baltimore Ravens Odds/Game Lines
| BetMGM Maryland Sportsbook Odds | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
| ATL Falcons | +7 (-110) | Over 40.5 (-110) | +240 |
| BAL Ravens | -7 (-110) | Under 40.5 (-110) | -300 |
| FanDuel Maryland Sportsbook Odds | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
| ATL Falcons | +7 (-110) | Over 40.5 (-105) | +265 |
| BAL Ravens | -7 (-110) | Under 40.5 (-115) | -330 |
NFL betting options are accessible through retail locations and newly launched Maryland mobile sportsbooks. NFL odds may change depending on the updates before and during the match.
Lamar Jackson Injury Update
All hope is not lost, however, as the Ravens get set to welcome back their star quarterback. After missing four games due to a calf injury, Lamar Jackson could make his long-awaited return during Week 16 against the New York Giants. If there’s anyone capable of turning this season around and making Baltimore a Super Bowl contender again, it’s Jackson.
His leadership and extensive knowledge of the playbook can bring an entirely new dynamic to the Ravens’ offense in their race for the playoffs. Furthermore, having one of the most electrifying players in football on their side should give the team an added boost heading into the final stretch of the season.
Lamar Jackson’s recent PCL sprain had Baltimore rolling the dice and hoping for a quick recovery. After defeating Denver Broncos in Week 13, Jackson was projected to miss one to three weeks of action, but with December 24th quickly approaching, he appears to be inching his way back towards suiting up against Atlanta on Christmas Eve.
This game against the Falcons is looking more and more like a must-win if the Ravens want to keep their shot at the AFC North championship alive. Having already suffered a divisional loss to the Browns, they will have their hands full as they look to gain ground against their toughest competition yet – the Bengals – in week 18.
