When you sign-up through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more >
The Baltimore Ravens’ legendary win streak in the preseason has long been a bettor’s favorite. Only this time, on Monday night, Vegas is expecting this to be as close as it gets.
Washington’s owner Josh Harris will host his first home game as the Commanders’ owner as Lamar Jackson’s Ravens come to town. Baltimore is slightly favored as one-point road favorite.
A weather delay didn’t prevent the Washington Commanders from winning its first preseason game, and a near choke-job by the Baltimore Ravens nearly cost the franchise its now 24-game win streak in the preseason. Monday night sees the two sides square off in an incredibly exciting slate.
The Commanders officially named 2022 fifth-round pick Sam Howell the starting quarterback for the season. The UNC standout played well last week, completing over 70% of his passes for 77 yards and a score. He’ll look to build on that against an injured Baltimore secondary that nearly crumbled late against Philadelphia.
Washington also boasts a strong backup in Jacoby Brissett, and while third-string quarterback Jake Fromm isn’t great, the team around him is incredibly underrated. The defense also isn’t one to write off, with a plethora of young talent in the secondary and a deep defensive line.
That said, the Ravens are an unstoppable force of pride and talent in the preseason. Their NFL-record win streak is one that clearly means a lot to head coach John Harbaugh. The AFC North squad cut it close in its 20-19 home victory over the Eagles. Baltimore will look for a more dominant showing on Monday night.
Lines via DraftKings Sportsbook. Check out other NFL betting sites.
Great payment and customer support
Access to fantasy sports with one account
Bet $5, Get $200 + $150 in No Sweat Bets
21+ | T&Cs apply
Great payment and customer support
Access to fantasy sports with one account
Bet $5, Get $200 + $150 in No Sweat Bets
21+ | T&Cs apply
If you want to take the small spread for slightly better odds, feel free to. At one point on most sportsbooks — fluctuating no higher than two — you’re picking a winner in this one.
Harbaugh is 11-3 in Week 2 preseason games and obviously hasn’t lost a preseason game since 2015. While Ron Rivera boasts a near .500 career record in preseason games, those wins have come far and few between with Washington. The former Carolina coach is just 2-5 with the Commanders in the preseason.
Still, this will be a close game. The Browns boasted terrific quarterback play by rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, but the Commanders still conquered Cleveland in Week 1. A strong duo of Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson should give Baltimore’s secondary fits for as long as the receivers are in the game.
However, while Baltimore ended up in a nail-biter with Philadelphia, the Ravens’ Tyler Huntley remains one of the best preseason quarterbacks in recent memory. He continues to light it up across the field, and Josh Johnson is no slouch either when it comes to facing backups.
Baltimore also signed defensive end Jadeveon Clowney this week, who could get some introductory snaps against backup linemen. It’s not known if Jackson will start on Monday night. But frankly, the history of Baltimore in the preseason at close odds, plus the strength of Baltimore for three-quarters of play last week, makes this an easy selection.
The line rests at 38.5 on most books, a total the Commanders fell short of last week, and the Ravens narrowly exceeded. Then again, neither team was playing against each other.
Expect this to be incredibly close, as the spread suggests. Washington’s defense was impressive last week, and there shouldn’t be a far drop-off in ability even against Huntley. The Ravens won’t run the score up, and Washington’s backups won’t be pushing the needle overly far either.
There should be more play by the starters on both sides of the defense, and while the Commanders’ starters will get more run, it’s still asking a lot of the Commanders to run the board against Baltimore’s intriguing group of pass-rushers. If Washington can’t command the lead, the Ravens will dictate a slow-and-steady approach to this one.
Easy registration
Beginner friendly
Impressive range of bonuses
$500 Deposit Match Bonus
Betting site focusing on fantasy
Bonus Code wsn_promo
$200 Deposit Match
21+ | Terms and conditions apply
Michael Sicoli has been writing about fantasy football and betting within the NFL space since 2020. He works as a writer and content creator with ClubFantasyFFL and runs an NFL defensive (IDP) newsletter with The IDP Guys. A graduate from Quinnipiac University, Michael is a long-time NFL fan with a love for soccer and the NBA.
More info on Michael Sicoli
© Rebel Penguin ApS 2023 (a subsidiary of Gaming Innovation Group Inc.)
We support responsible gambling. 21+ Only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
WSN.com is run by iGaming Cloud Inc (a Gaming Innovation Group Subsidiary) and is registered with the New Jersey
Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) under affiliate vendor ID
89744,
with the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) under certificate of registration number SWR-000148, approved by
the
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board as a gaming service provider, under certificate registration number
117656-1,
possesses a Vendor Minor sports betting license from the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission (account
number 94414163), granted a vendor registration number VR007603-20-001 by the Michigan Gaming Control Board,
an
interim Sports Wagering Supplier license, under license number SWS 066, issued by the West Virginia Lottery
Commission, a sports betting vendor registration, under registration number #100400, issued by the Director
of
Gaming Licensing and Investigations of the Virginia Lottery to operate in the State of Virginia, and a
Vendor
Registration issued by the Sports Wagering Committee of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation.
Advertising disclosure: WSN contains links to online retailers on its website. When people click on our
affiliate links and make purchases, WSN earns a commission from our partners, including ESPN and various
sportsbooks.