The Baltimore Ravens open the 2016/17 NFL season at home on Sunday, September 11th where they’ll be hosting the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore went 5-11last year to finish third in the AFC North while Buffalo placed third in the AFC East with a 7-9 mark. The Bills are 40/1 to win the Super Bowl next February 5th with the Ravens coming in at 28/1.
Here’s a closer look at the odds, betting trends and pre-game summary for each team:
Bills vs Ravens: Pinnacle NFL Betting Line:
- Pinnacle lists Baltimore at -3 points at -118 with the Bills +3 points at +107, the over is 44.5 points at +100 with the under at -110, Baltimore is favored outright at -170 and the Bills +153
Bills vs Ravens Betting Trends:
Buffalo Bills:
- Team record: 8-8 SU, 8-7-1 ATS
- Buffalo is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
- Buffalo is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Buffalo’s last 6 games when playing Baltimore
Baltimore Ravens:
- Team record: 5-11 SU,5-9-2 ATS
- Baltimore is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
- Baltimore is 5-9-2 ATS in its last 16 games
- Baltimore is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Buffalo Bills – A Closer Look:
The Bills may miss the playoffs again this season, but at least they’ll be entertaining with the likes of Sammy Watkins, LeSean McCoy and quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who should lead his position in rushing this year. Head coach Rex Ryan still has some work to do though if the franchise is to end its playoff drought. The Bills already have some injury problems on defense as first-round draft choice Shaq Lawson is out for about eight weeks with a shoulder problem and second-round pick Reggie Ragland is suffering from a knee injury. In addition, defensive tackle Marcell Dareus has a four-game ban to serve at the start of the season. Buffalo’s defense will need to play above its head for the team to make the postseason.
The Buffalo offense was better than their defense last year as the defense ranked 19th last in 2015/15 compared to fourth the year before. Rob Ryan was hired as defensive coordinator to help stop the slide as soon as possible. They’ll be tested by Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco and his teammates on Sunday and the Buffalo secondary needs to be at its best. The Bills have cornerback pair Stephon Gilmore and Ronald Darby in the lineup to keep an eye on their opponent’s receivers this year. QB Taylor enters his second full campaign after passing for 20 touchdowns and 3,035 yards last year while rushing for four touchdowns and 568 yards. With help from Watkins downfield and McCoy in the backfield, the Bills should be fun to watch.
Baltimore Ravens – A Closer Look:
Baltimore had a disappointing 2015/16 campaign mainly due to injuries and this caused them to miss the postseason. If head coach John Harbaugh has a healthy squad this year they should do a lot better. QB Flacco missed half a dozen outings last year with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and his presence will mean a lot as he has a fine arm and some good receivers to target. Flacco, a former Super Bowl winner, is good under pressure and ready to go. However, the team lost a key player in Bet Watson as he suffered a torn Achilles tendon during a preseason outing against the Detroit Lions.
Flacco will still be able to work with Breshad Perriman, Mike Wallace and Steve Smith though. The Ravens are leaning toward youth this season with newcomer Ronnie Stanley being added at offensive tackle and Kelechi Osemeleons leaving the team. The Ravens will also be depending on Terrell Suggs to have a big season after Justin Forsett was released. Their running could complement their aerial attack and Javorius Allen and Terrance West will also be key players for Harbaugh’s squad.
Bills vs Ravens Takeaway:
We like the Ravens laying only 3 points at home in this one. Buffalo is 1-4-1 ATS and 1-5 straight up in its last 6 games on the road. Not exactly a ringing endorsement for the Bills. The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Buffalo’s last 6 games when playing Baltimore so we really like the UNDER in what should be a defensive battle this early in the season.
Next up for both teams:
- Buffalo home to New York Thursday, September 15
- Baltimore at Cleveland Sunday, September 18
Pinnacle does not accept players in the US. For NFL and NCAA Football Bettors in the United States we recommend Bovada:
