The Matchup. Edge: Ravens.

If you’d like to support this site outside of buying my books or referring people to it, you can check out the WalterFootball Merch Store as well! I can design shirts rather easily, so if you have any new ideas, let me know in the comments below. In addition to WalterFootball t-shirts, you can also buy AMC and GameStop stock gear as well!

BALTIMORE OFFENSE: There was some drama regarding Lamar Jackson’s return to action in Week 7. He ultimately played four days later in a blowout win over the Dolphins. Jackson didn’t look very comfortable in the first half, but he improved as the evening progressed. He didn’t run very much, which is understandable, given the nature of his injury. He’ll do more running moving forward.

I imagine Jackson will escape the pocket and pick up some yardage with his legs in this game. The Vikings blitz at the highest clip in the NFL, but that’s not a negative for Jackson, who is terrific against the blitz. His numbers when blitzed exceed those when he’s not blitzed, so this seems like a rough matchup for the Vikings. I wrote the same thing last week about Jared Goff, but Detroit lost three offensive linemen to injury, including both tackles. The Lions never had a chance.

If the Ravens retain all of their blockers in this game, they’ll be able to open up some nice running lanes for Derrick Henry. The Vikings have been poor against the run for most of the season, so Henry should be able to put together a strong performance.

MINNESOTA OFFENSE: Speaking of offensive linemen, the Vikings were able to retain both of their tackles last week. Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill have missed extensive time this year, but they were finally able to take the field together. I was worried about them being 100 percent as they returned from injury, but they handled themselves well against Aidan Hutchinson and the Detroit pass rush. O’Neill wasn’t amazing, but Darrisaw performed like a Pro Bowler.

O’Neill should be healthier this week, and even if he’s not, the Ravens don’t have the same sort of pass rush that the Lions possess. Their yearly numbers are a byproduct of injuries, but Baltimore wasn’t great on the edge in the first place. Thus, J.J. McCarthy won’t be too bothered by pressure, allowing him to locate his talented weapons once again.

While the Ravens will be better against the pass because of their once-injured players returning to action, I’m still concerned about the run defense because of Nnamdi Madubuike’s continued absence. Jordan Mason should run well, as should Aaron Jones, provided that he doesn’t miss this game after getting banged up last week.

RECAP: It’s a shame these teams are playing against each other this week. They are both teams I’d be interested in backing because they are underrated as a result of their records. I viewed both the Ravens and Vikings as Super Bowl contenders to start the year, but their seasons were derailed by a ridiculous number of injuries. Yet, they’re mostly healthy now and are both capable of going on a run to reach the playoffs.

I feel like I’m deciding between which of my kids I like more when handicapping this game. This is a tough one, but I’m going to side with the Vikings. I made this line Minnesota +1.5, so I’m siding with the line value. However, the Ravens are the better team, so I don’t feel comfortable fading them.

THURSDAY THOUGHTS: If the Vikings lose this game, they’ll be worth a play next week against the Bears at a discounted price. The advance line is only -2.5!

SATURDAY NOTES: There are no major injuries on either side. In fact, the Ravens don’t have a single player on their injury report. That’s quite the difference from what we saw from them in Weeks 4-6.

FINAL THOUGHTS: The sharps hadn’t touched this game until Sunday morning, but that’s when they placed some bets on the Ravens. The best number for the Vikings is +4.5 -105 at FanDuel. You can Get $200 in bonus bets from FanDuel by clicking the link.

The Motivation. Edge: None.

No edge found.

The Spread. Edge: Vikings.

WalterFootball.com Calculated Spread: Ravens -1.5.

Westgate Advance Point Spread: Ravens -3.5.

Computer Model: Ravens -3.

The Vegas. Edge: Ravens.

Equal action.

Percentage of money on Baltimore: 59% (106,000 bets)

The Trends. Edge: Ravens.

John Harbaugh is 16-8 ATS in his second-consecutive road game.

Vikings are 50-40 ATS at home since 2014 (19-25 ATS since 2020).

Opening Line: Ravens -3.5.

Opening Total: 46.5.

Weather: Dome.

The Matchup. Edge: Ravens.

If you’d like to support this site outside of buying my books or referring people to it, you can check out the WalterFootball Merch Store as well! I can design shirts rather easily, so if you have any new ideas, let me know in the comments below. In addition to WalterFootball t-shirts, you can also buy AMC and GameStop stock gear as well!

BALTIMORE OFFENSE: There was some drama regarding Lamar Jackson’s return to action in Week 7. He ultimately played four days later in a blowout win over the Dolphins. Jackson didn’t look very comfortable in the first half, but he improved as the evening progressed. He didn’t run very much, which is understandable, given the nature of his injury. He’ll do more running moving forward.

I imagine Jackson will escape the pocket and pick up some yardage with his legs in this game. The Vikings blitz at the highest clip in the NFL, but that’s not a negative for Jackson, who is terrific against the blitz. His numbers when blitzed exceed those when he’s not blitzed, so this seems like a rough matchup for the Vikings. I wrote the same thing last week about Jared Goff, but Detroit lost three offensive linemen to injury, including both tackles. The Lions never had a chance.

If the Ravens retain all of their blockers in this game, they’ll be able to open up some nice running lanes for Derrick Henry. The Vikings have been poor against the run for most of the season, so Henry should be able to put together a strong performance.

MINNESOTA OFFENSE: Speaking of offensive linemen, the Vikings were able to retain both of their tackles last week. Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill have missed extensive time this year, but they were finally able to take the field together. I was worried about them being 100 percent as they returned from injury, but they handled themselves well against Aidan Hutchinson and the Detroit pass rush. O’Neill wasn’t amazing, but Darrisaw performed like a Pro Bowler.

O’Neill should be healthier this week, and even if he’s not, the Ravens don’t have the same sort of pass rush that the Lions possess. Their yearly numbers are a byproduct of injuries, but Baltimore wasn’t great on the edge in the first place. Thus, J.J. McCarthy won’t be too bothered by pressure, allowing him to locate his talented weapons once again.

While the Ravens will be better against the pass because of their once-injured players returning to action, I’m still concerned about the run defense because of Nnamdi Madubuike’s continued absence. Jordan Mason should run well, as should Aaron Jones, provided that he doesn’t miss this game after getting banged up last week.

RECAP: It’s a shame these teams are playing against each other this week. They are both teams I’d be interested in backing because they are underrated as a result of their records. I viewed both the Ravens and Vikings as Super Bowl contenders to start the year, but their seasons were derailed by a ridiculous number of injuries. Yet, they’re mostly healthy now and are both capable of going on a run to reach the playoffs.

I feel like I’m deciding between which of my kids I like more when handicapping this game. This is a tough one, but I’m going to side with the Vikings. I made this line Minnesota +1.5, so I’m siding with the line value. However, the Ravens are the better team, so I don’t feel comfortable fading them.

THURSDAY THOUGHTS: If the Vikings lose this game, they’ll be worth a play next week against the Bears at a discounted price. The advance line is only -2.5!

SATURDAY NOTES: There are no major injuries on either side. In fact, the Ravens don’t have a single player on their injury report. That’s quite the difference from what we saw from them in Weeks 4-6.

FINAL THOUGHTS: The sharps hadn’t touched this game until Sunday morning, but that’s when they placed some bets on the Ravens. The best number for the Vikings is +4.5 -105 at FanDuel. You can Get $200 in bonus bets from FanDuel by clicking the link.

The Motivation. Edge: None.

No edge found.

The Spread. Edge: Vikings.

WalterFootball.com Calculated Spread: Ravens -1.5.

Westgate Advance Point Spread: Ravens -3.5.

Computer Model: Ravens -3.

The Vegas. Edge: Ravens.

Equal action.

Percentage of money on Baltimore: 59% (106,000 bets)

The Trends. Edge: Ravens.

John Harbaugh is 16-8 ATS in his second-consecutive road game.

Vikings are 50-40 ATS at home since 2014 (19-25 ATS since 2020).

Opening Line: Ravens -3.5.

Opening Total: 46.5.

Weather: Dome.