Although the Jets squeaked out a one-point win over the Dolphins last week, Le’Veon Bell (flu) notably wasn’t present. Since Sunday, his illness has come under question, as the New York media scooped up a report that he was out bowling late Sunday night. He then added fuel to the fire when he bragged about his high score on the lanes. While Bell has been a source of leadership by all accounts in his first season with the Jets, this has certainly become a distraction and it remains to be seen if Bell suits up on Thursday (and what his role will be if he does). New York’s run blocking has been horrendous this season and Bell has averaged just 3.2 yards per carry, the worst mark of his career and one of the worst by all qualified running backs in the NFL. It will be tough sledding for whatever running back receives carries for the Jets in this contest, as the Ravens rank 6th in the NFL, averaging 95.6 rushing yards per game.
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Sam Darnold and New York’s passing offense also don’t have a positive outlook against Baltimore’s surging defense. The Ravens rank 9th in passing yards allowed per game (219.0) and 6th overall in total yards allowed per game (314.6). If New York expects to put up consistent points in this contest, wideouts Robby Anderson and Jamison Crowder will likely both have to have stellar outings.
Not only are the Ravens the Super Bowl favorites, but Lamar Jackson is the MVP favorite. Baltimore’s offense runs through Jackson, who has amassed 2,677 passing yards, 1,017 rushing yards 35 total touchdowns (28 passing) and just seven turnovers (six interceptions) through 13 games. His dynamic dual threat ability has led to an incredible 200.9 team rushing yard per game average, which leads the NFL by over 50 yards over the next-best team. Although the Jets have sold out to stop the run this season and surprisingly own the second-best rushing defense from a yardage perspective (78.8 allowed per game), as well as the 7th ranked total defense from a yardage perspective (320.8 allowed per contest), they’ve allowed 23.2 points per game (19th).
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It will be fascinating to see if Jackson will be able to have his usual impact on the ground in this one. There are a couple trends to take note of if you’re planning to bet on the Ravens in this contest. In their last 39 games against teams with losing records in the second half of the season, Baltimore has gone 33-6 SU. (The Jets are three games below .500.) Further, in their last 37 games directly after gaining 150 or less passing yards in the previous contest, Baltimore has gone 27-10 SU. (Jackson threw three touchdowns, but amassed just 145 passing yards against the Bills last week.)
BetQL’s NFL Model lists a best bet against the spread, on the moneyline and on the total in this matchup. Find out what they are!