If the Baltimore Ravens (3-3) have any chance to salvage the first half of their season, they’ll have to do it in the unfriendly confines of U.S. Bank Stadium Sunday when they face off against the Minnesota Vikings (4-2).
If you want to watch this one, tune into your local CBS station at 1 p.m. EST.
The Game: Baltimore Ravens at Minnesota Vikings (-5.5)
O/U: 38.5
The History
The Ravens and Vikings have played just five times total in their history, with Baltimore holding a 3-2 advantage in the all time series.
They last met up on December 8, 2013 with the Ravens winning 29-26 at M&T Bank Stadium. Joe Flacco outdueled Matt Cassel with 245 yards, three touchdowns and three picks. Cassel was 17 of 38 for 265 yards and two touchdowns.
BALTIMORE RAVENS (3-3)
While the Miami Dolphins might be a mystery to me, the Baltimore Ravens aren’t. They looked good out the gate because they were playing a couple of bad teams, the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals. Since they started playing real squads, it’s been a different story. The Ravens have lost three of their last four, with their only victory coming 30-17 over the Oakland Raiders QBed by E.J. Manuel.
Last Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Bears was especially egregious. Joe Flacco was 24 of 41 for 180 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions, one that was returned for a touchdown that put the Bears ahead by 10 points in the fourth quarter. The only reason Baltimore sent the game into overtime was a punt return for a touchdown that tied it up 24-24. With the extra life, it still didn’t matter. Chicago and Baltimore traded three and outs to begin overtime. Connor Barth ended the game with a 40 yard field goal.
Jordan Howard ran all over Baltimore’s defense, gaining 167 yards on 36 carries. In spite of sacking Mitchell Trubisky four times and getting a ridiculous 14 stops in the backfield, they couldn’t get the job done at any point when it counted. The Bears led the time of possession and held the Ravens to just 3-of-18 on third downs.
The Ravens’ injury report is loaded with what looks like half the team. Breshad Perriman, Matt Skura, Terrance West, Maxx Williams and Tim Williams are all out for sure. Wide receiver Chris Matthews is doubtful and listing all their questionable players might crash the GetMoreSports server.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (4-2)
Speaking of key injuries, the Vikings will again be without Stefon Diggs, Nick Easton and quarterback Sam Bradford. With Bradford sidelined, Case Keenum goes back and forth from OK performance to complete disaster. Frankly, he’s due a solid turd Sunday after a workman like performance against the Green Bay Packers.
Keenum was 24 of 38 for 239 yards, a touchdown and a pick last week. He got some help out of the running game, with Jerick McKinnon providing 15 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown. Adam Thielen once again showed his value, catching nine passes for 96 yards. Latavius Murray was less effective with his hands on the ball. He had 15 rushes too, but gained just 28 yards.
With the Vikings defense, Keenum shouldn’t have to do too much. Last week they knocked Aaron Rodgers out of the game (and the league), picked up four sacks, six stops in the backfield and picked off Brett Hundley three times.
With the Ravens offense sputtering and Flacco being so generous with the ball, this could be a big day for this Minnesota unit. Adjust your daily fantasy line ups accordingly. Everson Griffen, fresh off a big contract extension in the off-season, already has seven sacks this season and is on pace for 19 on the year.
The Pick
Keenum’s streak of decency makes me nervous about this pick, but Minnesota has a solid home field advantage and this Baltimore team just looks worn out already. I don’t think Flacco is fully healthy and with little or no help from his own defense, the Ravens won’t win too many games this season. Vikings 27, Ravens 20
This week
Straight up: 0-1
Against the spread: 0-1
Last week
Straight up: 5-9
Against the spread: 5-9
Season
Straight up: 48-43
Against the spread: 43-48
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