The 2019 NFL season rolls on, and we're here with a betting preview for Monday night's game on ESPN between the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Rams.
The Ravens are sitting pretty atop the AFC North, while the Rams are in real need of a win to remain in the playoff hunt.
Joe Fortenbaugh, Preston Johnson and Doug Kezirian offer their best bets for the Week 12 finale.
Note: Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook as of Sunday evening, unless otherwise noted.
Baltimore Ravens (-3, 46) at Los Angeles Rams
Ravens -3
Fortenbaugh: Any mention of the 2019 Ravens instantly conjures up images of MVP front-runner Lamar Jackson slicing and dicing his way through opposing defenses in vintage Michael Vick fashion. But I'd prefer to focus our attention on the matchup that matters most in this Monday night tilt, which features the Los Angeles offense against the Baltimore defense. Entering Week 12, the Ravens rank sixth in the NFL in scoring defense. In four games against top-16 scoring defenses this season (vs. Saints, vs. 49ers, at Steelers, vs. Bears), the Rams averaged a paltry 15.7 points and 281.5 total yards per game with eight turnovers. Not great, Bob! As for the Ravens' defense, their in-season trade for cornerback Marcus Peters from this very Rams team has drastically altered the club's trajectory. In four games since acquiring Peters, the Ravens are 4-0 straight up and 4-0 against the spread while forcing 10 turnovers and surrendering an average of just 14.0 points. In three of those four aforementioned contests, the Ravens dismantled current playoff occupants Seattle, New England and Houston. Great, Bob!
Rams +3.5 or better
Johnson: Thanks to the Ravens' 41-7 beatdown of the Texans last week, we are to a point in the market that we can consider selling high on Baltimore. Not only do my projections have them winning the game just 51.1% of the time (let alone by four or more points), but the actual matchup bodes well for the Rams defensively. While the Jets technically are the only team that grades better against the run on a per-play basis, I'm not sure if there is anybody else I would want to slow down this Jackson-led offense than an Aaron Donald-led Rams defense. Not only do the Rams rank No. 2 in giving up only 3.3 yards per rush attempt, but they also rank No. 2 in open-field yards (yards gained by ball carriers 10 or more yards past the line of scrimmage). This is an enormous strength, particularly when facing Jackson and his ability to turn a broken passing play or a simple read-option into an explosive play. Do I trust Jared Goff and the Rams' offense right now? Not entirely. But +3.5s can be had in the market, and that's just too extreme to pass up on when the numbers disagree so heavily.
Goff over 1.5 passing TD (Even; Westgate)
Kezirian: Giving Todd Gurley II 25 carries is not the secret to success. That did lead to a victory last week against a limited Bears team, especially with the Rams so banged up at wide receiver and offensive line. However, the Rams are healthier now, which should benefit Goff and the passing attack. Unlike last week when they faced Mitchell Trubisky, the Rams will need to keep pace with Jackson and a potent Baltimore offense. Goff is often a punchline, but Sean McVay will have this offense ready to pop.