Baltimore Ravens vs Carolina Panthers Point Spread Picks

Carolina is getting plenty of points even though the Panthers come off a 25-15 win over Atlanta and they have covered three of their past four games while Baltimore is averaging only 22.7 points its past six games. The Panthers also have had three extra days to prepare after playing a Thursday night game and they rushed for 232 yards against the Falcons with D'Onta Foreman getting 130 of them. Baker Mayfield will be back under center as P. J. Walker is out with an ankle injury and Mayfield actually is averaging more passing yards per game (182.2) than Walker (121.8). Also, Mayfield has a 58.4 percent completion rate for 2,221 yards with 13 touchdowns in eight career games against the Ravens, who are just 3-4-1 ATS their past eight games. Baltimore has gone UNDER five of its past six games, including its 27-13 win over New Orleans before getting a bye week. The Ravens are 0-4-1 ATS their past five home games and 3-9-1 ATS their past 13 following an ATS win. Baltimore is 19-7 UNDER after allowing fewer than 15 points their previous game and it has stayed UNDER five of its past six home games. Take the points with the Panthers and the UNDER.

The Baltimore Ravens will take to the road to play the Carolina Panthers. These teams have some high-profile stars, but they did not see any action in Game 1. The fact that the preseason is just three games this season, Game 2 should be like Game 3 used to be often referred to as the dress rehearsal, with starters playing more minutes than any other game. There should be some series led by Lamar Jackson for Baltimore, as well as the debut of Christian McCaffrey for the Panthers. The Panthers managed 21 points last week without much from starters on offense, and they should be able to put up some points here. I also think with Jackson taking some snaps, the Baltimore offense should be able to put some points up, as well. While the points should be flowing here, the rest of the game in my eyes favors Carolina, and getting better than a field goal in an NFL preseason game is a lot. Carolina should score plenty, and the back door will be open here as well. Go with Carolina and the OVER in this one.

Baltimore lost 24-23 to New Orleans when kicker Justin Tucker missed the first extra-point attempt in his NFL career after making 222 in a row. The defense did its best to contain Drew Brees, but the Ravens blew a 10-point lead while outyarding the Saints 351-339. Carolina pulled out a 21-17 win over Philadelphia when Cam Newton threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Greg Olson with 1:22 left to give the Panthers their biggest comeback in franchise history and wiping out a 17-point deficit. The Panthers are 0-5 ATS their last five games when following a win and Baltimore is 5-0 ATS after a loss dating to last season. Also, the Ravens are 6-2-1 ATS their last seven games against teams with winning records. Carolina has gone OVER in six of its last seven when following an ATS win and the Panthers are 5-2 OVER their last seven home contests and 9-4 OVER after a win. Joe Flacco was 23-of-39 for 279 yards against the Saints and the Ravens figure to keep going to the air as their running game has faltered. Baltimore is favored by less than a field goal so play the Ravens on the moneyline and the OVER.

Carolina's offense has struggled, particularly running the ball. But the running game should get a boost from the return of DeAngelo Williams this week. Meanwhile, Baltimore is without Dennis Pitta here and a rookie protecting Joe Flacco's blindside as tackel Eugune Monroe is out with a knee injury. In what should be a close, hard-fought division battle, these personal changes could make the difference. This is the role the Panthers covet as they are 8-1 ATS the past three seasons as a road underdog. They are also 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games following a bad defensive effort (allowing 350+ yards). Meanwhile, the Ravens are 1-4 ATS in their last five home games. This should be a close game that can go either way. Take the points with the Panthers.