The vast majority of pundits select the Ravens to temper the Rams.
One of the league’s hottest teams, the Los Angeles Rams take on the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday. They have won the last two games by a combined score of 73-33, making it three wins in a row.
But the majority of analysts (48 out of 53) believe the Rams’ winning streak will come to an end because of the Ravens.
There are many incentives for both teams. The Rams (6-6) are trying to make the playoffs, while the Ravens (9-3) are fighting for the top spot in the AFC.
Lamar Jackson’s illness-related absence from practice yesterday revealed an unexpected turn of events.
What experts are stating about the game is as follows:
The Ravens benefit from the anticipated bad weather
The Baltimore Sun’s rain Wacker: “This one could be a slopfest based on a weather forecast that at least for now includes rain and high winds. Baltimore also faces a surging Rams team that has won three straight and features one of the game’s best pass rushers in Aaron Donald. Expect a heavy dose of running, with the Ravens leaning on Gus Edwards and Keaton Mitchell to win a close one.”
The Baltimore Banner’s Jonas Shaffer: “That inclement weather could favor the Ravens, if only because of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford’s relative inexperience. According to TruMedia, he last played in a game with rainy conditions at kickoff in 2017, when he went 19-for-35 (54.3%) for 203 yards, a touchdown and an interception as the Cincinnati Bengals beat Stafford’s Detroit Lions, 26-17. The Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, meanwhile, has played in five games with rainy conditions at kickoff since 2019, the third most of an NFL quarterback in that span. He’s completed 56.8% of his passes for 174 yards per game and thrown six touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s also averaged 80 rushing yards per game and 6.1 yards per carry in those rainy matchups. Ball security has been a weakness, though; Jackson has fumbled eight times, losing four.”
NBC Sports’ Chris Simms: “That to me is more of a Ravens type of football game. When you talk about the weather how can you not take that into account? I trust the Ravens run game more. I trust their ability to handle the elements altogether more.”
The Ravens will bring the Rams back to earth.
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon: “The Rams have been taking advantage of a soft stretch in the schedule, and now they’re in for a rude awakening on the road against a Ravens team that has put up more than 30 points in four consecutive home games. Los Angeles isn’t as good as its record, and Baltimore can’t mess around here.”
USA Today’s Jordan Mendoza: “Los Angeles has certainly benefitted from an easy part in the schedule, but going across the country to face a refreshed Baltimore team is certainly a tough thing to overcome. With one of the top passing defenses in the league, Baltimore makes it hard for Matthew Stafford to find his trusty receivers and gets a two-score victory.”
Jackson will continue his mastery over NFC teams.
The Baltimore Sun’s C.J. Doon: “I picked both the Lions and Seahawks to come into Baltimore and beat the Ravens, and they were outscored a combined 75-9. So, lesson learned. As tempting as it is to pick an upset given the Rams’ recent surge, Lamar Jackson is 18-3 in his career against NFC teams. I’m not betting against that, nor a John Harbaugh-coached team coming off a bye.”
Odell Beckham Jr. will have a big game against his former team.
“Good Morning Football’s” Peter Schrager: “Mark Andrews went down and [Offensive Coordinator] Todd Monken and [Head Coach] John Harbaugh had a chance to get in the lab for a week while they were on the bye. … I love the fact that for Odell, it isn’t revenge against the Rams. He won a Super Bowl with them; he loves those guys. I also think he’s going to show out against his old teammates.”
Rams WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua vs. the Ravens pass defense is the matchup X-factor.
ESPN’s Seth Walder: “This will be a challenging game for [Kupp and Nacua], as the Ravens are the second-most difficult team to get open against (after the Jets), according to ESPN’s receiver tracking metrics. But Kupp and Nacua are talented, and this game could swing on this strength-on-strength matchup.”
If it comes down to the kicking game, the Ravens have the advantage.
The Ringer’s Sheil Kapadia: “I think special teams could be a big factor here. The Ravens have Justin Tucker, while the Rams added longtime Packers kicker Mason Crosby this week and are looking to solve their field goal issues.”
The Ravens will secure an ugly win.
The Baltimore Banner’s Chris Korman: “We know the Ravens have been middling against middling teams and that the weather is going to be atrocious Sunday and that Lamar Jackson missed practice Thursday. All of which adds up to this game being messier than it needs to be. I expect the Ravens to attempt to bully the Rams on both sides of the ball and to largely succeed. They’re fresh off a bye week and have known all season that this December gauntlet would be their ultimate proving ground. It’s not going to be pretty, and the score will be closer than it should be, but the Ravens should control this one.”
The Rams will pull off the upset.
The Baltimore Sun’s Tim Schwartz: “The Rams are red-hot and finding their groove, and they need this win to solidify their playoff positioning in a crowded NFC. The return of Marlon Humphrey helps, but this feels like a matchup that favors the Rams. Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are a dynamic duo that will feast on the back end of the Ravens defense. Baltimore can win this game if it runs the ball well, but can Tyler Linderbaum slow down Aaron Donald? That’s a tall task, even for a potential All-Pro. My gut says the Ravens will revert to some bad habits and find a way to lose.”