Derrick Henry, Roquan Smith predict big games for Ravens, here’s how oddsmakers predict Baltimore’s performance
The NFL season will begin on Thursday night with a rematch of last season’s AFC Championship. For the Baltimore Ravens, last year ended in disappointment, when the Kansas City Chiefs punched a ticket to their fourth Super Bowl in five years. After a 17-10 conference championship win, the Chiefs won everything and will unveil their second championship banner in two years in just a few days.
The Ravens have a chance for revenge this week, and some guys, like quarterback Lamar Jackson, Don’t consider it any different from any other sportThey promise it will be entertaining.
Baltimore added running back Derrick Henry this offseason and the veteran is excited to take the field against another AFC powerhouse. Henry has been watching the 2023 AFC Championship Game closely, as there were rumors he would join them before the trade deadline. He admitted he wanted to be there the last time these two teams met.
“Yes, of course… I wished I could wear a suit that day [when I was] “I was watching that game,” Henry said via the team’s website. “But yeah, it’s my turn now, so [I have] To take advantage of that. It’s going to be a really scary game.”
Henry likes his new team’s prospects and is “excited” to show what they can do as a unit.
,[We’re] We’re going to do our job and get it done. It’s all connected together, [and] “We all trust each other,” he said.
This idea of the whole group “putting on a show” is constantly ingrained in the mindset of all the players. Linebacker Roquan Smith enjoys the fact that the game is under the bright lights and he intends to take full advantage of the moment.
“What could be a bigger show than having the whole world watching? Whatever happened last year is last year. This is a whole new season,” Smith said. “The whole world will be watching … I’m really excited for our defense, and our offense, as well as special teams, to put on a show for the whole world and look good while doing it.”
First-round pick Nate Wiggins is looking forward to his first career regular-season NFL game and, like Smith, says he’s “ready to put on a show for everybody.”
According to Caesars Sportsbook, the Ravens are brimming with confidence, but they will enter as underdogs (+3) when they head to Arrowhead Stadium. With defending Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes and defending league MVP Jackson running each offense, you’d expect a touchdown fest, but the over/under is set at a relatively low 46.0 (-110).
Mahomes’ passing touchdowns are set at 1.5 (-189) and Jackson’s rushing total is set at 47.5 (-117) for a +210 score.
Baltimore can make a huge statement with a win and take some more chances to become future champions if they can start the season with a big win. The Ravens currently have the third-best odds (+900) to lift the Lombardi Trophy in New Orleans, behind the San Francisco 49ers (+625) and the Chiefs, who have the best odds (+575).
