Week 2: @ Raiders
August 30, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes the football against Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (97) during the first quarter in a preseason NFL football game at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN: Ravens 30, Raiders 20 (1-1)
Ebony Bird: Ravens 31, Raiders 17 (1-1)
Again, we’re very close here. The Raiders have been a losing franchise for a long time now, but have perhaps the best roster they’ve had in years, and maybe the best coach as well. However, Oakland is 2-10 in September since 2012 (the 2nd worst in the NFL), and things aren’t going to magically improve that fast.
Week 3: vs. Bengals
Oct 26, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap (96) pressures Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) during the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN: Ravens 24, Bengals 21 (2-1)
Ebony Bird: Ravens 23, Bengals 17 (2-1)
OK, I spot a trend here. Are these guys reading our articles? The Ravens should feel happy to be home after two weeks on the road, where they are 6-1 in openers and 3-1 against Andy Dalton. Dalton is historically bad against the Ravens in Baltimore as well, tossing 7 interceptions and absorbing 11 sacks.
Week 4: @ Steelers
Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) talks to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) after their 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Heinz Field. The Ravens won 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN: Steelers 31, Ravens 27 (2-2)
Ebony Bird: Steelers 27, Ravens 21 (2-2)
And on a short week, the Ravens travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers Thursday night. And it’s Le’Veon Bell’s second game back off a suspension. And the Ravens have never won a Thursday night game on the road. And our picks once again are eerily close.
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