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The Jets-Ravens line opened at -3.5 in favor of Baltimore and has only moved slightly down to -3 at a handful of sportsbooks heading into the weekend.
Sportsbook.com Line & Total: Baltimore -3.5 (even) & 42
Opening Line & Total: Balt -3.5 & 40
The Ravens look to retain their recent dominance over the Jets when the two Super Bowl hopefuls clash in Baltimore on Sunday night.
The Jets have dropped six in a row SU to the Ravens (dating back to 1998) and are 1-5 ATS during that span. That includes one ugly loss in the Rex Ryan era, 10-9 at New York in last year’s opener. The Ravens have been very Jekyll and Hyde through their first three games, dominating against Pittsburgh and St. Louis, but putting together a dud in a Week 2 loss at Tennessee. This game features Ryan visiting his old haunt one week after his defense was flat-out embarrassed. The Jets allowed 234 rushing yards (the most in 41 games under Ryan) to the Raiders in a 34-24 loss. Meanwhile, the Ravens averaged 6.5 yards per carry in their win at St. Louis last week. They also showed they can throw the ball downfield with touchdowns of 74 and 41 yards. The deep passing game could take advantage against CB Antonio Cromartie, who has struggled this year and is dealing with bruised lungs.
In addition to Cromartie, WR Santonio Holmes (quad) and QB Mark Sanchez (broken nose) are also on the injury list, but are both expected to start on Sunday night. Center Nick Mangold will likely miss another game with his ankle injury. Sanchez, in his third season, has improved greatly from last year. He has increased his completion rate from 54.8% to 63.1%, upped his YPA from 6.5 to 8.0, and his passing yardage has jumped from 206 YPG to 295 YPG. It is imperative for the Jets take the pressure off their young QB and crank up their running game, but it won’t be easy against the tough Ravens defense. After ranking fourth in the NFL with 148 rushing YPG last year, New York currently has 82 rushing YPG.
Baltimore has been very balanced offensively this year with 128 rushing YPG (8th in NFL) and 261 passing YPG (13th in league). QB Joe Flacco is coming off a huge performance in St. Louis, throwing for 389 yards and 3 TD, all to Torrey Smith. The rookie WR injured his hamstring in the fourth quarter of that game and is questionable for Sunday’s game. WR Lee Evans, who missed last game with an ankle injury, is also questionable. Flacco will have to make quick decisions on Sunday night as the Jets are expected to come after him with a variety of Rex Ryan blitzes. Both of Baltimore’s main ball carriers, Ray Rice and Ricky Williams, are averaging more than five yards per carry, and Rice has been a great safety valve catching passes out of the backfield with 14 grabs for 178 yards and two scores. The defense will be short-handed once again, as CB Domonique Foxworth and S Haruki Nakamura are both likely out with knee injuries.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
