The NFL betting board for Week 9 features a battle between two of the best defensive teams in the league as the Baltimore Ravens face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon.
Both teams enter with identical 5-2 records, and the Ravens have been installed as 3-point road favorites as they look to bounce back from a loss against the Steelers last week.
We break down the football odds with our best free Ravens vs. Colts picks and predictions for Sunday, November 8, with kickoff at 1 p.m. ET.
Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts betting preview
Weather
It should be a sunny afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, with temperatures in the low-70s and winds reaching up to 9.5 miles per hour. Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NFL weather info.
Key Injuries
Baltimore: Mark Ingram II RB (Out), Marlon Humphrey CB (Out), Tavon Young CB (Out), Ronnie Stanley T (Out).
Indianapolis: TY Hilton WR (Out), Malik Hooker S (Out), Marlon Mack RB (Out), Parris Campbell WR (Out), Ashton Dulin WR (Out).
Find our latest NFL injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Colts are 1-5 ATS and 5-1 O/U in their last six games against AFC opponents. Find more NFL betting trends for Baltimore vs. Indianapolis.
Against the spread (ATS) pick
Both of these teams have been among the top defenses in the league, with the Ravens holding opponents to 18.9 points per game and the Colts allowing just 19.4 ppg.
This game will likely come down to which team can get it done on offense, and while the Colts are coming off a 41-point outing against the Lions, they have been inconsistent over the course of the entire season. Indy ranks just 23rd in the NFL in red-zone offense and 20th in third-down conversion percentage.
While Lamar Jackson isn't playing at the level he was last year, he's still one of the most dynamic weapons in the league and a nightmare for any defensive coordinator to gameplan around.
The Ravens are 6-2 ATS in their last eight road games while the Colts are 0-5 ATS in their previous five contests as a home underdog. Look for Jackson to be the difference maker and lead the Ravens to another road win and a cover.
PREDICTION: Baltimore -3 (-110)
Over/Under pick
We've mentioned how great these squads are on defense, with the Colts ranking third in the league in defensive DVOA and the Ravens fifth.
Indianapolis is anchored by defensive lineman Deforest Buckner and linebacker Darius Leonard, while the Ravens can bring the quarterback pressure from anywhere with eight different defenders picking up at least two sacks.
That said, there is plenty of reason to think the Over/Under of 44.5 for this game is a tad too low. Sure these teams don't allow many points, but they also do a decent job of getting on the scoreboard with Baltimore averaging 29 ppg and Indy putting up 28.3 ppg.
Indianapolis has also looked a bit vulnerable on defense lately, surrendering 26.7 points and 369.7 yards per game over their last three contests. We're not expecting a shootout, but we are backing this game to finish above the low total.
PREDICTION: Over 44.5 (-110)
Player Prop
The Colts have one of the league's best run defenses but few teams can slow down Lamar Jackson when he wants to pick up yards with his feet. Last year's MVP rushed for 1206 yards in 2019 and is averaging 58.7 rushing yards per game in 2020.
The Over/Under on Jackson's rushing yards total for Sunday is set at 47.5, a number he has gone Over in five of his last six games. The lone contest where he ran for fewer than 50 yards was a blowout win over the Bengals where he ran the ball just three times. Expect Baltimore to need Jackson to contribute as a runner and take the Over on his rushing yards.
PREDICTION: Lamar Jackson rushing yards Over 47.5 (-118)
Baltimore vs Indianapolis betting card
- Baltimore -3 (-110)
- Over 44.5 (-110)
- Lamar Jackson rushing yards Over 47.5 (-118)
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