NFL odds on the Baltimore Ravens are likely to be low in 2009 as the team is coming off an 11-5 regular season.The Ravens were so close to a Super Bowl a year ago but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game. NFL odds had the Ravens tied with the Giants and Titans for the best against the spread record in 2008 at the online sportsbook at 12-4. The Ravens were a team that went over the NFL odds total in 2008 as nine of their sixteen games went over with one tie. Rookie quarterback Joe Flacco had a great season in 2008 combining with rookie head coach John Harbaugh to give the Ravens a magical year. Derrick Mason provided Flacco with a solid receiving option and the Ravens got excellent production out of Le’Ron McClain, Willis McGahee and Ray Rice running the ball.
On defense it was Ray Lewis leading the way along with All-Pro safety Ed Reed and other talented stars like Bart Scott, Terrell Suggs, Trevor Pryce and Haloti Ngata. Baltimore was second in the league in passing yards and total yards allowed as online betting statistics show. They were third in rushing yards allowed and points allowed.
NFL odds information shows that the Ravens added center Matt Birk, CB Domonique Foxworth, TE L.J. Smith and CB Chris Carr in the off-season. They lost LB Bart Scott, OT Willie Anderson, CB Chris McAlister, FB Lorenzo Neal and CB Corey Ivy. Online betting information tells us that the Ravens drafted offensive tackle Michael Oher in the off-season and he could immediately step into the starting lineup.
Two huge losses for Baltimore that could really hurt them in NFL odds at the online sportsbook are on defense. They lost defensive coordinator Rex Ryan who went to the New York Jets to become their head coach and they lost linebacker Bart Scott. Picking up Matt Birk on offense is big though as he should definitely help Flacco and the offense. Picking up L.J. Smith could also prove important since Todd Heap had a poor 2008 season.
Many times when a team rises to great heights they will fall the following season. That could easily happen to the Baltimore Ravens in NFL odds in 2009. The Ravens will be hard pressed to match their 11 wins of last season and their 12 versus the NFL odds in 2009.