This is one of the NFL matchups that many may not realize how much is actually on the line. The Baltimore Ravens need to extend their lead in the AFC North, and the Carolina Panthers need to continue to make up ground behind the Buccaneers in the NFC South.
With the Ravens well rested after a Bye and the Panthers getting their 3rd win against Atlanta last week, both teams enter reenergized and ready for this Sunday’s matchup.
If you’re looking for the Panthers vs Ravens best bets, the NFL odds have the Ravens as heavy favorites, and I’d have to agree.
They exceed in their rushing attack and defense so much that the mistakes in the passing defense shouldn’t be an issue against a Panthers team that shows no real strong suits.
I expect Lamar to have an excellent game and PJ Walker to have a good showing. However, at the end of the day, I expect Baltimore’s defense to be too much for D’Onta Foreman and the Panthers.
Carolina Panthers vs. Baltimore Ravens
- Venue: M&T Bank Stadium
- Matchup Time: 1:00 pm EST
- How to watch: TV & Streaming
- Where to watch: FOX
Carolina Panthers
Offense
The Panthers’ offense is ranked 30th in yards per game, averaging 294.2 so far this season. They’ve been having issues all season, as no one looking in from the outside has ever felt like the Panthers’ had a plan with their QB room.
NFL Player Stats
PJ Walker looks poised to be the starter after leading the Panthers to a 25-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons, though it should be mentioned the majority of the output from the Carolina offense came from D’Onta Foreman putting up great NFL player stats picking up 130 rushing yards on 31 attempts scoring a TD.
For Panthers vs Ravens best bets, expect Carolina to try to replicate that success on the ground, as it’s been the only path to success for this struggling team this year.
Defense
The Carolina Panthers standings in the NFC South are not great. Now sitting at 3-7 and at the bottom of the division.
A major contributing factor to that is the fact that the defense can’t get a stop to save their lives. When looking at all NFL team stats, the Panthers’ defense ranks 24th in points per game, 25th in yards per game, and 20th in 3rd Down conversion rate.
Opponents have a 66.67% completion rate against them, which is atrocious. Their only redeeming stat on paper is that they are the 6th least penalized defense.
Baltimore Ravens
Offense
The Ravens’ offense finds itself with the 4th highest point total average in the league. This high-flying offense puts on a show every single week, and you can expect that this squad will have plenty of fun plays that they cooked up over their Week 10 Bye.
Lamar Jackson’s Performance
The Baltimore Ravens stats jump off the page at you in the rushing column with Baltimore’s deep RB room and Lamar Jackson, the epitome of what a dual-threat QB should be.
Jackson has completed 160 of 257 for 1,768 yards this year while throwing 16 TDs to 6 INTs. The Ravens also excel at clock control, having the 2nd best time of possession in the league.
Though RB Gus Edwards and TE Mark Andrews are currently listed on the NFL injury report, the Ravens have plenty of depth behind both guys that it won’t be that big of a setback.
Defense
The defense against the pass has not been living up to the performance of their offense, however. Ranking 17th in the league in points allowed and 19th in the league in yards allowed while being 3rd in rush yards allowed.
Opponents are finding success in the air as the Ravens give up 258.8 pass yards a game ranking them 28th in the league.
Ravens’ Defense
This defense can keep a capable offense in the game, but it will never win you the game. They are unable to show up in the big moments that matter, and no stat is more telling of this than the fact that opponents convert 76.92% on 4th down attempts.
This defense will need to show improvement down the road if the Ravens hope to have any postseason success.
NFL Stats and Standings
When it comes to Panthers vs Ravens best bets, the Panthers sit at the bottom of the NFL standings with a 3-7 record, with only the Raiders and the Texans having fewer wins this year.
NFC South
Despite sitting in a tie for last place in the NFC South with New Orleans, the Panthers are only two wins out from a first place in the division, and with a win last week over division rivals Atlanta, it seems anything is possible.
AFC North
The Ravens, on the other hand, sit in the lead of the AFC North with a 6-3 record and find themselves coming into this game off of a bye week, thanks to the NFL schedule.
With the Cincinnati Bengals right behind Baltimore for the lead of the division, this NFL matchups a must-win game for the Ravens, who seek to extend their lead this week.
Most Remarkable Player for this Matchup
Lamar Jackson (QB)
When Lamar gets cooking, there is no one better. He currently has the 5th best QBR in the league right now at 65.0, and though his air game has improved, where he really can kill you is on his feet.
I expect him to get plenty of rushing yards this week.
PJ Walker (QB)
Last week when the Panthers found success, it was on the ground with hard running and having a QB that knew how to stay out of the team’s way. However, relying on the run will be a harder task this week.
I expect that PJ Walker will have more passing yards than expected, as the team will need to lean on him in a favorable matchup against a weak Baltimore pass defense.
D’Onta Foreman (RB)
D’Onta Foreman popped off and had a huge game last week against Atlanta.
Unfortunately, Baltimore’s run defense is much better than Atlanta’s, and I don’t expect Foreman to live up to the performance he had last week.
I expect the Panthers not to get much out of Foreman and leave the run-first game plan earlier in the game.
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