Washington Redskins @ Baltimore Ravens: Spread
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This will be an exciting inter conference matchup featuring two teams who are fighting to make the playoffs, likely as a wildcard opponent. At 8-4, Baltimore is in a very favourable position to earn a wildcard birth in the AFC. However, at 7-5 the Redskins more or less have to win each of its remaining games for this season in order to have a chance at clinching an NFC wildcard spot in the playoffs. This game will be an exciting defensive battle featuring two of the strongest defensive teams in the league. |
The Ravens have proven to be one of the most dominant teams in the league as of late. They have a positive net point differential of 102, ranking third in the NFL. The Giants and the Titans are the only 2 teams in the league that have a better differential and their combined record is 22-2. This gives you an idea of how dominant Baltimore is. The Ravens are red hot, winning 6 out of their last 7, averaging 30.6 points per game and only allowing 16.1 points.
The key to Baltimore’s success has been its ability to shutdown the opposition. The Ravens rank 3rd in the NFL in points allowed and have the second best ranked defense overall. They have a turnover differential of +7, ranking 4th in the NFL. The Ravens’ defense has the ability to win games by forcing turnovers. Baltimore’s secondary leads the league with 20 interceptions, 5 of them turning into touchdowns.
The Redskins have proven that they are not as strong as people first thought when they went 6-2 during the first half of the season. The Redskins are only scoring an average of 17.3 points per game, ranking 28th in the NFL. Since the halfway point, they have only won 1 game out of 4 and have only been able to score an average of 10.75 points during that span. They will definitely have a very hard time producing offensively against the Ravens. Baltimore has only been allowing an average of 10 points per game at home this season.
The Ravens have generally had a difficult time at scoring points. This season, they have improved on this, as they are currently averaging 24.3 points per game, ranking 10th in the NFL. The Redskins are a strong defensive team but realistically if Baltimore score’s 17 points, it should be able to cover the spread. The Redskins have played 3 games against defenses comparable to Baltimore and have not been able to score more than 7 points in a game against them. They played the Giants twice and Pittsburgh once.
The trends are quite favourable for the Ravens. They are 9-3 against the spread this season and are 4-0 as a favourite. Additionally, Baltimore is 6-1 ATS in its last 7. They are 4-1 ATS at home and their only loss was against the 11-1 Tennessee Titans. Washington is 1-5-1 ATS in its last 6. There probably won’t be a lot of scoring in this one. One thing I can guarantee is that Washington won’t be the team lighting up the scoreboard. If the Redskins couldn’t score more than 7 points against the Giants or the Steelers than they won’t do any better against Baltimore. Expect the Ravens to dominate this one and to easily cover the spread.
Prediction: Baltimore 23 Washington 9
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