Baltimore Ravens Open as Betting Favorite vs. Detroit Lions
The Baltimore Ravens have opened as the betting favorite for their Week 7 matchup with the Detroit Lions. SI Sportsbook has Baltimore listed as a 2.5-point favorite for Sunday's game despite the Ravens having to go on the road to Ford Field to face the 5-1 Lions.
It will be one of the biggest tests to date for the Ravens, as the Lions are currently one of the hottest teams in the league. Following their season-opening win over the Kansas City Chiefs, their only blemish was the Week 2 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks, but since then, they've put together four straight wins.
The most recent came on the road versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where veteran quarterback Jared Goff led them to a 20-6 win on a day when their usually vaunted run game was ineffective.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (left) and Lions signal-caller Jared Goff (right)
USA Today Network
Goff, the former No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick, completed 30 of his 44 passes for 353 yards and two touchdowns as the Lions beat the Buccaneers 20-6 inside Raymond James Stadium. The Week 6 win marked a season-high for Goff and his top receiver, Amon-Ra St. Brown, who reeled in 12 catches for 124 yards and a touchdown.
However, last Sunday's game isn't an accurate representation of the Lions' offense, as they are a "run-first" team that only totaled 40 yards on the ground versus the Buccaneers.
Yet, even after finishing with their lowest rushing yard mark of the season, the Lions offense ranks ninth in rushing yards per game and sixth in yards per carry, potentially making Sunday a clash of strengths as stopping the run has been a strength of the Ravens defense. Baltimore ranks 10th in rushing yards allowed and 16th in yards allowed per carry.
Kickoff at Ford Field is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST as the Ravens will look to make it two straight wins while the Lions will be searching for their fifth.
