Ravens vs Broncos Odds, Betting Lines, and Picks – Can Broncos Stay Undefeated?
- The Denver Broncos are one of five teams to start 3-0; they welcome the Baltimore Ravens to Mile High
- 2021 Record: 0-2, -2.0 units
- See the odds for the Week 4 matchup and whether or not Denver can move to 4-0
The Teddy Bridgewater era in Denver has gotten off to a fast start.
Beginning a season 3-0 is no easy feat in the NFL. And while it’s been against the Giants, Jaguars and Jets, the Broncos have handled the three with relative ease. It would be something else entirely if they were just squeaking by.
But now they welcome their biggest test of the season to Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday afternoon in Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. They’re a team that could easily be 3-0 or 0-3. Three one-score games decided on the final play.
Kickoff is set for 4:25 this Sunday, wrapping up Week 4’s afternoon slate.
Ravens vs Broncos Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Ravens | -115 | -1.0 (-110) | Ov 44.0 (-110) |
| Denver Broncos | -105 | +1.0 (-110) | Un 44.0 (-110) |
Odds as of October 1st at DraftKings
The Broncos opened as home favorites, likely for two reasons. Mile High is a tough place to play, and it took a 66-yard field goal at the last second for Baltimore to beat the Lions. Denver is a perfect 3-0 ATS while Baltimore is 1-2.
Late money throughout the week swung things in the completely opposite direction. Now the Ravens are the favorites, and the total has been shaved down to 44.0.
Health is Ravens’ Biggest Hurdle
If you were going to list the unluckiest teams in the NFL health-wise, the Ravens would be near the top.
Their running backs have been cut down one after another, and their defensive backfield has been hit hard too. Baltimore was nailed by Covid protocols ahead of their game against the Lions, which left them even more shorthanded.
Week 4 Injury Report: Ravens vs Broncos
| Ravens | Injury, Status | Broncos | Injury, Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamar Jackson, QB | Back, Questionable | Graham Glasgow, G | Knee, Out |
| Deshon Elliott, S | Quad, Questionable | Dalton Risner, G | Ankle, Questionable |
| Pernell McPhee, OLB | Shoulder, Questionable | Melvin Gordon, RB | Ribs, Questionable |
| Ronnie Stanley, T | Ankle, Out | Andre Mintze, OLB | Hamstring, Questionable |
| Alejandro Villanueva, T | Knee, Questionable | Shelby Harris, DE | Wrist, Questionable |
| Derek Wolfe. DE | Back/Hip, Out | Baron Browning, ILB | DNP, Questionable |
| Tavon Young, CB | Knee, Questionable | De’Mont Jones, DE | Calf, Questionable |
| Anthony Averett, CB | Ankle, Questionable | N/A | N/A |
| Geno Stone, S | Thigh, Questionable | N/A | N/A |
| Chuck Clark, S | Hip, Questionable | N/A | N/A |
| Marlon Humphrey, CB | Knee, Questionable | N/A | N/A |
It’s not like Denver has had an easier time with injuries. Ronald Darby, Jerry Jeudy, Josey Jewell, Bradley Chubb, Jonas Griffith and KJ Hamler have all hit IR.
The season-ending injury to Hamler could have positive repercussions for Noah Fant and Albert Okwuegbunam. Despite Fant sitting second on the team in targets, both tight ends had quiet afternoons against the Jets combining for four targets.
Noah Fant appears to be off to a quietly fantastic start.
Through 2 Weeks
🔳Targets – TE4
🔳Receptions – TE5
🔳Yards – TE6
🔳PPR – TE5
🔳Target Share – 23% (TE3)— Sam Wallace (@SWallace_FF) September 23, 2021
We’re turning our attention to the TEs because before shutting down TJ Hockenson in Week 3, tight ends had run amok of Baltimore’s defense. Darren Waller went off for 10 receptions, 105 yards and a touchdown in Week 1, and Travis Kelce followed that up with a 7/109/1 line in Week 2.
And with Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick on the outside, it will be tough for the Ravens to devote extra attention to Fant and Okwuegbunam.
Wear and Tear on Jackson Showing?
For his career, Jackson is 18-7 on the road, and his rating is actually eight points higher than it is at home. His interceptions are down but the sacks are up when the Ravens travel, and Denver poses a unique challenge to QBs around the league.
Lamar Jackson: First Three Weeks
| Week | Att/Comp | Yards | TD | INT | Rushing Attempts | Rushing Yards | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 @ LV Raiders | 19/30 | 235 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 86 | 98.6 |
| Week 2 vs KC Chiefs | 18/26 | 239 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 107 | 78.8 |
| Week 3 vs DET Lions | 16/31 | 287 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 58 | 81.0 |
Per ESPN, Jackson has been hit a league-high 44 times, which probably accounts for the back injury, major or not. It’s just the second time he’s missed back-to-back practices in his career. The first was Week 5 against the Bengals when he ran it just twice but Baltimore won big.
Lamar Jackson has been doing it all 😮 #SCFacts pic.twitter.com/dcuemgSSuq
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 30, 2021
This could be a game where the Ravens revert back to heavy running back usage. RB rush attempts through the first two weeks stayed high at 22 and 25 carries, but plummeted to 15 last week. Ty’Son Williams and Latavius Murray should see a lot of work.
Mile High the Great Equalizer
The atmosphere is no joke in Denver. There would be some hesitancy surrounding a dual-threat QB like Jackson anyways, but mix in a handful of missed practices? It will be interesting to see how he responds to the unique challenge.
Getting the Broncos at -105 at home is tempting, especially with their strong homefield advantage. But Mile High also lends itself to low-scoring games. And even though its been bet down from 44.5 to 44, the total still offers good value.
The Pick: Under 44.0 (-110)
Bryan has spent the last decade working in the sports industry. From the sidelines in the OHL and Rugby League to behind the scenes at TSN, Bryan has a wealth of experience with a soft spot for props and parlays.
