NFL action is back – well, sort of. We’re in the preseason stage, and while the games may not carry a ton of excitement or significance, there’s still a boatload of betting value to be exploited in August.
On Monday night, the Washington Commanders host the Baltimore Ravens to cap off Week 2 of the NFL preseason. There’s a lot to uncover in this exhibition contest, including Baltimore’s remarkable win streak in preseason games. Here, we break down betting odds, props, and predictions for Ravens vs. Commanders.
Also read: How Sharp Bettors Approach NFL Preseason | Super Bowl 58 odds | NFL MVP odds
NFL Preseason Week 2 Odds: Ravens vs. Commanders Spread, Total & Moneyline
Despite the Ravens’ 24-game win streak in the preseason, early betting action, coupled with news that QB Tyler Huntley will not play for the Ravens, has pushed the point spread in the Commanders’ direction.
A week ago, Circa Sports opened this game Baltimore -3.5; on the morning of the game, the line is down to -1.5 on most NFL odds boards, with Washington +2 available at Caesars Sportsbook. The total has dipped from a 38.5 opener.
Here are odds on this MNF preseason game from the best sports betting apps.
Ravens vs. Commanders Betting News
Ravens
You may be aware of Lionel Messi’s recent seven-game streak with at least one goal scored. There was also The Undertaker’s 21-match winning streak at Wrestlemania. But nothing comes close to the perfection that Baltimore has exhibited over the last seven preseasons.
After narrowly beating the Philadelphia Eagles in their preseason opener, the soaring Ravens have now won 24 straight exhibition games with their last defeat dating back to 2015.
Baltimore rotated between Tyler Huntley, Josh Johnson, and Anthony Brown at quarterback against Philly and picked up the win.
Huntley continued his mastery in exhibition games with a 126.3 passer rating against the Eagles. The third-year Ravens quarterback has completed 76.2% of his passes and has thrown seven touchdowns to just one interception in his preseason career.
“The Ravens win streak with Harbaugh is … absolutely baked into the line,” Adam Chernoff of Right Angle Sports told Gaming Today in an email. “This week’s number trended down for a couple of reasons.
“The Ravens will not be playing starters, and Huntley is hurt. The Ravens will be playing the full game with Josh Johnson and Anthony Brown, their third and fourth string QBs. It is easy to see why bettors want to play against Baltimore here, but Washington certainly has some QB issues of its own.”
Johnson, a well-traveled 37-year-old quarterback, managed the game well, completing 66.7% of his passes for 45 yards and a score and earning a 101.0 passer rating. Brown was the worst of the trio. The Ravens will likely use a similar rotation of quarterbacks in Week 2.
Every year, head coach John Harbaugh speaks out about the streak and says how the preseason is great for the players. Most coaches use the preseason to experiment with new plays, players, and lineups, but Harbaugh uses it to motivate his guys. And while that might not necessarily translate to wins in the regular season, it’s good enough for bettors who like to ride hot streaks.
Commanders
If you look at the numbers from the Commanders’ first preseason game, you’d think they got smoked. Washington got outplayed in time of possession, yards, (passing and rushing), and first down, yet somehow edged out a win.
Sam Howell, officially named Washington’s starting quarterback last week, was a major part of that. The sophomore quarterback connected on nine of his 12 passes for 77 yards and scored the game’s first touchdown with a deep ball to Jahan Dotson. He should see some run on Monday night, though that amount is unknown.
Once Howell’s night is done, he should be succeeded by primary backup Jacoby Brissett and third-stringer Jake Fromm. Both backups threw an interception and failed to score in Week.
Washington needs to get the most out of Howell’s limited playing time, which may have to include a touchdown, in order to have a chance at winning.
Ravens vs. Commanders Props
Don’t just bet on the game. Here are a few game props to consider for Ravens vs. Commanders from FanDuel and BetRivers.
Winning Margin (FanDuel)
- Ravens by 1-13 pts (+155)
- Commanders by 1-13 pts (+185)
- Ravens by 14+ pts (+360)
- Commanders by 14+ pts (+500)
Game Combo: Moneyline + Total (BetRivers)
- Ravens and Over 37.5 (+235)
- Ravens and Under 37.5 (+245)
- Commanders and Under 37.5 (+260)
- Commanders and Over 37.5 (+270)
Ravens vs. Commanders Prediction
We’re often told not to bet on the preseason because of its random and unpredictable nature, but 24 straight is 24 straight. During the winning streak, the Ravens have outscored opponents 541-280 (+281 points), which is unheard of in the preseason.
For his career, Harbaugh is 44-12 straight up and 39-16-1 ATS – both are by far the best by a coach in NFL history. He hasn’t let us down since 2015, and he shouldn’t let us down Monday night. Fire away at the Ravens until the streak ends, and with the spread drifting down to under a field goal, let’s lay the points rather than the odds on the moneyline.
Ravens vs. Commanders Pick: Ravens -1.5 via BetMGM Sportsbook
Ravens vs. Commanders Broadcast and Game Day Information
- Game Day: Monday, August 21, 2023
- Game Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Location: FedExField | Landover, Maryland
- Channel: ESPN
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