Ravens at Rams Picks, Predictions & Betting Odds
- Odds: Ravens -3.5
- Over/Under: 47
- Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
Odds as of Sunday evening
The Ravens are compiling one of the most efficient offensive seasons in history and Lamar Jackson may be the frontrunner for MVP. The Rams, meanwhile, are in jeopardy of missing the playoffs one year after appearing in the Super Bowl.
Baltimore is one of the public's most popular sides for Week 12, but our experts warn against blindly betting the red-hot Ravens. Between the Rams' ferocious interior defensive line and a creaky inner half of the Baltimore offensive line, the Monday night matchup should be a close one.
Monday Night Football Injury Report
Which team is healthier? Both are decently healthy
The most notable injury for Baltimore is defensive lineman Michael Pierce (ankle), who is listed as doubtful. He’s a solid defender and third on the team in quarterback hurries. Other than that, the Ravens look pretty good.
The Rams will get Brandin Cooks (concussion) back, but the biggest news to note is Robert Woods is still uncertain for Monday due to a personal matter. — Justin Bailey
Biggest Mismatch
Rams interior DL vs. Ravens OL Bradley Bozeman & Matt Skura
The Ravens don’t have many weaknesses on offense right now. There’s a reason they’re on pace to score on a higher frequency of drives than any NFL team in NFL history.
However, one of the soft spots on the offense is on the interior of the offensive line at center and left guard with Bradley Bozeman and Matt Skura. Marshall Yanda still remains one of the best right guards in the NFL and the Ravens have two excellent tackles but Skura and Bozeman have been vulnerable at times against more athletic interior defensive linemen.
And the Rams certainly have that up front, starting with Aaron Donald — arguably the best defensive player in the NFL. But it’s not just Donald, as Joseph-Day and Brockers fit that bill as well. This will be the most difficult defensive line the Ravens have faced all year, especially considering they faced the Texans without JJ Watt last week.
If Donald and company can get consistent pressure up the middle, it could blow up everything the Ravens want to do on the ground.
From a Football Outsiders' DVOA perspective, the Ravens have the No. 1 rush offense in the NFL by a wide margin while the Rams have the third best rush defense. The key to who wins this matchup of strength on strength will come down to whether or not Skura and Bozeman can prevent the Rams interior from getting a push. On paper, it’s advantage Rams in this department. — Stuckey
Sean Koerner's Projected Odds
- Projected Spread: Ravens -2.5
- Projected Total: 47.5
Personally? I would love nothing more than to show value on the Ravens here and not the Rams.
Even after another boost to the Ravens’ power rating of 2-2.5 points combined with docking the Rams 0.5 points despite covering the spread a week ago (on a late front down cover and due to the Bears mostly beating themselves), I'm still showing value on the Rams getting a key number of +3.5. — Sean Koerner
Expert Pick
Koerner: Rams +3.5
Bettors have predictably been all over the Ravens, led by current MVP front-runner Lamar Jackson: More than 75% of the tickets and money have come in on them, as of writing (see live betting percentages here). But I'm one of the few people willing to fade the public here and back the struggling Rams, especially since Cooks is coming back.
