Ravens are back at it after a lengthy break
The Baltimore Ravens are back in action after a Week 13 bye week and welcoming the Los Angeles Rams to M&T Bank Stadium.
Teams (Records)
Baltimore Ravens: 9-3
Los Angeles Rams: 6-6
Odds (Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Ravens -7.5
OVER/UNDER: 40
Moneyline: Ravens -375; Rams +295
Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.
Last 5 Games In Series
Ravens have won four of the past five matchups.
Matchup History
Ravens lead the series 5-3-0
Injury Report
Mother Nature’s Sunday Involvement
A lot of talk has been made about the weather on Sunday, which currently sits t a 90% chance of rain and around 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit. Windy, wet conditions is expected and ball security will be pertinent. Here’s what the Ravens had to say about the expected conditions.
Head Coach John Harbaugh: “Winds are a big factor in the passing game and the kicking game. So, we have to take that into account. Just catching it, whether it’s catching a punt [or] a kickoff or catching a pass. Ball handling is going to be a big part of it. We’re a ball handling offense, so we have to handle the ball in wet weather. That’s going to be important to us. We’ll be keeping that in mind, and it’ll be big for them, too. They have to do the same thing. They [will have to] play in the same weather that we do, so if we can take advantage of any mistakes they might make … You have to win the game in every type of circumstance, and the elements are a big part of it.”
Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken: “I think weather affects a number of things, but we’re still [a] decent amount of time out, obviously, until you get there …. Again, you’re anticipating rain that there’s a chance you’re going to get wind, so I would anticipate it in your game-planning and certainly your play-calling.”
Special Teams Coordinator Chris Horton: “It’s just one of those things that we’re going to have to trust our guys with their technique just fielding that ball, but from a snapper to a hold standpoint, there are ways we can work that by wetting the footballs. It’s a little bit harder to get that ball wet and then get it to the returners. It’s just one of those things if we utilize our fundamentals when fielding the ball, we’re going to be OK.”
Safety Kyle Hamilton: “It’s easy to be like, ‘That’s football weather,’ but I think football weather is 70 [degrees] and sunny and not a cloud in the sky. I’m from Georgia, so I’m not really used to the cold weather stuff, but once I got to Notre Dame, I grew out of that pretty quickly. It is what it is. There’s been rain games this year. We’ve all played in rain games, so it’s just another element to it, but it’s not going to change a whole bunch.”
Bye Week Recovery
The Ravens got their rest and are back in action on Sunday. Here’s what they had to say about their much-needed bye week.
Harbaugh: “They’re good. I’m sure it is. It seems like they feel good, [and] they’re full of energy, but it’s a long season. It’s a big challenge, and every one of these games is a really physical type of a game. So, our guys can use it. I know other teams had it this week, so we’re the last bye [week], I think. So, everybody will be full on the rest of the way.”
Defensive Coordinator Mike Macdonald: “Yes, it was great. Number one, just kind of recouping and kind of recalibrating where we’re at and where we want to go. The things that I talked about last time, we were able to get those things [done]. And the good thing about this week is, now, as we’re kind of introducing the Rams and the things that they do, [we’re] also [doing it] through the lens of our self-scout findings with the guys. So, good feedback on there, as well.”
Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney: “I feel pretty good. I wish we didn’t have [that] Bye. I wish we would have kept that thing rolling.” (laughter) “I was just in the groove, and we had to stop and start back up. But I feel pretty good. I’m looking forward to this game and getting back out there and getting going.”
Hamilton: “Yes, definitely. At the beginning of the season, when you see [that] the Bye [Week] is Week 13, you’re like, ‘Alright, it’s going to be a bit of a grind to get to the Bye,’ but now that we’ve gotten here to this point, we seem pretty good with where we’re at. It’s awesome to have that little break going into the final stretch of the season, going to the playoffs and hopefully to make a deep run. I just went home [and] chilled for a little bit. [I] just got football off my mind, and now I’m reset and ready to get back to it.”
DVOA Stuff
The Ravens are the No. 2 team by DVOA. Over the bye week, they were surpassed by the San Francisco 49ers.
Offense: No. 5
Defense: No. 1
Special Teams: No. 16
The Rams are a respectable team, save their special teams unit.
Offense: No. 9
Defense: No. 19
Special Teams: No. 32