Commanders vs Ravens Picks, Starters & Betting Splits (Aug 28)

• The Ravens are 3-point favorites over the Commanders tonight in NFL Preaseason action
• Neither team will dress their starters for this matchup
• Get the best Commanders vs Ravens picks, plus starters and betting splits for Aug 28, below

The Commanders travel to Baltimore tonight to face the Ravens in both teams final NFL Preseason game. Reports out of Washington is that the Commanders offense is completely broken, while Baltimore is enjoying one of its best training camps in years. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that the Ravens are favored tonight in the latest NFL odds. Baltimore is currently laying 3-points at home, but I’m much more interested in attacking the game’s 34.5-point total, for the reasons I’ll explain below.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6 pm ET at M&T Bank Stadium and on NFL Network. Keep reading for my top Commanders vs Ravens picks, plus starters and betting splits for the Aug 28th exhibition contest.

Commanders vs Ravens Starters

While Washington is struggling, word out of Baltimore is that new boss Jesse Minter is flourishing. He’s gaining serious traction in the NFL Coach of the Year Odds, and has re-established the Ravens defensive identity. Starters and backups on that side alike have been phenomenal this preseason, and the second, third and fourth stringers shouldn’t have any trouble slowing down an anemic Commanders attack. Neither Washington or Baltimore will let their numbers ones dress tonight, and that will drastically favor the home side.

With Jayden Daniels on the sidelines, the Commanders will turn to Sam Hartman and Athan Kaliakmanis under center. That duo produced only 13 points last week against Detroit backups, with the offensive averaging a dismal 5.4 yards per play. To make matters worse, there is a serious lack of explosive talent among the Washington fringe players who will play tonight. Also working against them is a porous offensive line. Commanders QB’s were under constant duress this week in joint practices against the Ravens, and I expect that to continue tonight.

On the Ravens side, we won’t see NFL MVP odds contender Lamar Jackson or his top skill position players like Derrick Henry and Zay Flowers. Undrafted free agent Joe Fagnano will take most of the QB snaps, looking to continue his exceptional preseason. The former UCONN product is 37-of-48, for 347 yards and 2 TD so far, against only one interception. Third round pick Ja’Kobi Lane has been a star in camp and will likely absorb the bulk of Fagnano’s targets as he fights for a bigger role in the offense.

Defensively, Baltimore’s backups will look to hold down the fort, something they’ve done quite well so far this preseason.

WSH vs BAL Picks

• Under 34.5 Points (54-cents at Kalshi)

The Ravens have cruised on defense through two exhibition weeks holding the Eagles and Vikings to a combined 10 points. They’ve been extremely stingy against both the pass and the run, and there is a stable of second and third stringers that will be deployed tonight that have NFL experience. I expect them to find tons of success in the trenches, as their depth under Minter’s scheme is capable of overwhelming a Commanders line that is void of talent.

Both of Baltimore’s preseason games so far this season have fallen below 32 points, with neither Philly or Minnesota producing more than a touchdown. Each of Washington’s exhibition tilts have come in under 32 points as well, and they just don’t have the firepower or stability at the QB spot to get involved in a shootout. I’ll bank on the low scoring trend to continue in my Commanders vs Ravens picks, with Kalshi offering the most favorable total line at 34.5. Make sure you claim the Kalshi promo code before betting tonight.

Washington vs Baltimore Odds

Odds as of Friday, August 28th. Get the bet365 bonus code now and get in on the action.

Commanders vs Ravens Betting Splits

Checking in on the NFL public betting splits reveals that my love for the under is not shared by casual bettors. As of Friday afternoon, 69% of bets and 64% of the total handle is on the under. That means I’ll be on the same side as oddsmakers for this contest, which suits me just fine given how much I think the Washington offense will struggle against a legit Super Bowl odds contender.