I am quite high on Lamar Jackson and the Ravens as a team this season. Yes, the spotlight is focused on the Browns and a popular narrative, of which I subscribe to, that centers around Pittsburgh potentially being undervalued due to the high expectations surrounding the Browns. However underneath these AFC North narratives lies a potential AFC sleeper in my eyes in the Baltimore Ravens. I am also pretty low on the Dolphins as a team this year all the off-season moves aside the eye opener was the trading of tackle Laremy Tunsil. This clearly states to me that the Dolphins do not plan on being competitive this season.
Miami’s tanking is something I want to take advantage early and often and I have circled this spot for week one as a fade of Miami and a play on Baltimore who under Harbaugh have gone 7-3 against the spread in their last ten road games, and have won three straight season openers. If Miami truly is tanking like it appears that they are, I have to question their motivation going forward.
Theses moves suggest nobody is safe, veterans nor young talent alike. That can not be a great feeling or mood throughout the locker room. I look to the Dolphins decision to make Fitzpatrick the starter over Josh Rosen suggest they are not interested in seeing what they have with Rosen this year, clearly punting, pun intended on this season. I think this will lead to a somewhat vanilla offense from new offensive coordinator Chad O’Shea, where is the incentive to show some of the new offensive wrinkles if the teams motivation for the season is to possibly tank for Tua?
Baltimore should come in here and win this one pretty comfortable, with their ability to limit Miami on offense and forcing Miami to defend a dual threat quarterback will be too much for Miami to over come and Baltimore should roll to an easy double digit victory.
The Selection: Baltimore Ravens -6.5 (-115)
