The story heading into the Buffalo Bills vs. Baltimore Ravens NFL preseason betting matchup is the unexpected retirement of veteran wide receiver (and current humanitarian?) Anquan Boldin after 14 years in the league and less than two weeks after signing with the Bills. Boldin was the 2003 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and won Super Bowl XLVII with the Ravens. He also played for the Detroit Lions.
- Date: Saturday, 26th August
- Time: 7:05 PM
- Venue: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
Sportsbook Online NFL Preseason Odds:
Bills +3½ (-110) 39 (-110)
Ravens -3½ (-110) 39 (-110)
The Path of the Righteous Man is Beset on all Sides
Like Jules Winnfield, Anquan Boldin had an epiphany. He saw something that made him think twice. Now, whether or not what he experienced was an “according to Hoyle” miracle is insignificant. What is significant is that he felt the touch of God. God got involved.
Statement from Anquan Boldin on his decision to retire: pic.twitter.com/z19jekK33R
— Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL) August 21, 2017
Where does that leave the Bills’ receiving corps? Let’s see; they experienced a bout of temporary madness and traded Sammy Watkins to the LA Rams in exchange for E. J. Gaines and a 2018 second round draft pick. Then Jordan Matthews – whom the Bills acquired from the Eagles in exchange for cornerback Ronald Darby – sustained a chip fracture in his sternum, though he is optimistic he’ll be up and about by week 1. “It doesn’t look picture-perfect right now,” linebacker Lorenzo Alexander told SiriusXM NFL Radio on Monday. As a matter of fact the future looks so bleak that Buffalo fans may just go into stasis until the Bills pick Sam Darnold in the 2018 draft. Meanwhile Tyrod Taylor must step up his game in the ever-critical third NFL preseason betting game after being intercepted twice and posting a 12.0 quarterback rating in Thursday’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Hate to be the bearer of bad news
Ravens have long been considered harbingers of doom and death, so it’s fitting that they took the time to visit Arlington Cemetery on Monday.
“Our good friend, General Ray Odierno, stepped up to make this wonderful day happen,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “Football is a meritocracy, and our team has worked hard throughout this offseason and training camp. The team deserves a day away from the fields and meetings.” Speaking of which, Ryan Mallett has played anywhere from not-good-enough to mediocre depending on whom you ask, while Josh Woodrum has proven to be more than the ‘camp arm’ that Harbaugh hired him to be – though he’s not about to become a franchise quarterback either. The good news is that Joe Flacco is reportedly on schedule and expected to start in week 1. The bad news is that he has not practiced with the team during camp. As good as Joe Cool is, NFL preseason betting fans would have to wonder whether he can get in sync with his receiving corps at the drop of a hat.