2008 Baltimore Ravens NFL Picks & Predictions
August 12, 2008
New 2008 Baltimore Ravens rookie head coach John Harbaugh takes over a rebuilding team that will rely on strength in the trenches to win ball games. Harbaugh has some good minds around him and Baltimore could surprise some teams that take them lightly. The defense is aging but is still an experienced unit that plays physical enough to keep games close. The 2008 Baltimore Ravens predictions have them at +500 NFL betting odds to win the AFC North.
Rookie QB Joe Flacco will battle disappointing Kyle Boller for the starting slot to command the Ravens West Coast offense. The Ravens will rely on ball-control to help hide their lack of playmakers on offense. The 6′6″ 230 Lb. Flacco can sling the ball about 80 yards but his footwork is slow and he has never played top competition. Tough QB Kyle Boller has good velocity and is fairly accurate but is poor at reading defenses. RB Willis McGahee was a versatile threat out of the backfield with his 4.40 speed and size at 6′0″ 232 Lbs. Rookie 2nd round draft choice Ray Rice (5′9 205 Lb.) lacks elite speed (4.60 40-time) but is a gifted runner with great moves. WR Derrick Mason is a savvy veteran that is coming off a fine 103 catch 07″ campaign but is entering his 12th season and has only 4.60 speed. Opposite of Mason WR Mark Clayton has soft hands but is not much of a playmaker. TE Todd Heap is still a top-5 NFL tight end and will be counted on to be the Ravens vertical threat with his 4.70 speed. The offensive line is young and could struggle early with the retirement of All-Pro Jonathan Ogden. The Ravens are not good in pass protection at the tackle position but can maul defenders in the run game. The AFC North Baltimore Ravens are at 75-1 odds to win the 2009 Superbowl.
The Ravens defense loves to get after the QB and coordinator Rex Ryan will use the big lineman upfront to free up their speedy linebackers to make plays on the football. The D-Line is the best 3-4 front in the NFL. DT Haloti Ngata (6′4″ 340 Lbs.) is a bull in the middle that eats running backs behind the line. Ngata is an All-Pro that is surrounded by players with sound technique. NT Kelly Gregg is a run stuffer and DE Trevor Pryce is a pass-rushing force with 10+ sack ability off the edge. Ray Lewis is still the physical commander of the defense but he has lost a step now in his 13th NFL season. Lewis is joined by a deep set of fast linebackers that play hard. OLB Terrell Suggs has blue-chip pass-rush skills and 3rd round pick Tavares Gooden out of Miami has 4.50 speed and fine instincts. Ed Reed leads a Ravens secondary that allowed a surprisingly high 87.6 passer rating. Reed is a playmaker that can dominate games but gambles too often giving up big plays. Star CB Chris McAlister will be counted on to return after missing 8 games with a knee injury. McAlister is an elite level athlete that is very physical in press coverage. CB Samari Rolle is also a press-cover expert but he missed 10 games with epilepsy and is declining in skill. SS Dawan Landry is a solid young player that will be joined by 3rd round pick Tom Zibikowski who has 4.50 speed. The nickelback spot is a strong point with speedster Fabian Washington (4.35 40-time) coming over from the Raiders. The special teams have some athletes that can run and hit. The kicking game is very strong but the Ravens need some returners.
The Baltimore Ravens have a good defense, running game and coaching staff but they have the 6th toughest schedule in the NFL. If Harbaugh can bring out the tools in one of the QB’s this team could go places in a hurry but that is unlikely in his first year. Expect a Ravens defense to improve the team to a 6-10 mark in the talented AFC North division. The Baltimore Ravens NFL Betting Odds OVER\UNDER is at 6 WINS with the OVER at -130.
2007 Baltimore Ravens NFL Betting Record: 7-9 ATS
AFC North Baltimore Ravens NFL Predictions Power Ratings for 2008
Coaching: 8
Quarterback: 5
Running Backs: 8
Offensive Line: 6
Wideouts: 5
Defensive Line: 8
Linebackers: 8
Secondary: 8
Special Teams: 7
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