Ravens at Commanders: 2 Best Bets for Monday Night Football

We posted a 2-0 record on Sunday Night Football, with the Saints covering 3.5 points and the teams combining for 39 total points as New Orleans defeated the LA Chargers 22-17 in Inglewood. This represented one of the only sporting events in the Southwest on Sunday amid a deluge of rain from Tropical Storm Hillary and an earthquake that also struck the area.

For the closer to Week 2’s preseason schedule, the Washington Commanders will play the Baltimore Ravens in the 15th August meeting between the two teams. Baltimore has won five in a row in the series and holds an 11-3 advantage dating back to their first preseason matchup.

The Ravens’ 24-game winning streak in the preseason stayed alive despite a difficult challenge from the Philadelphia Eagles in their opener. Washington prevailed over Cleveland after taking an early lead and hanging on during the waning moments of their victory.

The Commanders named second-year player Sam Howell as their starting quarterback this week. Howell and company spotted Cleveland a safety in that Week 1 matchup before he led a 10-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Jahan Dotson to give Washington a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Baltimore’s over-under this season for total wins is among the best in the NFL at 10.5, compared to Washington’s total of 6.5. Only Kansas City and Philadelphia have higher projections than the Ravens, while the lone team the Commanders are ahead of is the rebuilding Arizona Cardinals at the other end of the spectrum.

Ravens -1.5 over Commanders (DraftKings)

Will this win streak reach 25 games? We think so. Baltimore lost the turnover battle to Philadelphia last week and gave up a late pick-six that nearly cost them the win if not for a failed two-point conversion.

The Ravens had fewer offensive snaps, were outgained in that matchup, and had 10 minutes less time of possession, none of which are positive indicators of success. On the other hand, multiple bright spots will translate well to future victories.

Baltimore committed just four penalties, converted 8-of-14 third downs, and allowed only one sack in that win against Philly. Of the 30 teams who’ve already played this week, all but three have committed 5+ penalties, making Baltimore’s discipline an anomaly in the preseason.

Washington managed just a field goal in the second half when their reserves took most of the snaps and gave up touchdowns late in the third and fourth quarters. That lack of finishing ability will come back to haunt them if they allow Baltimore to stay within one score late in this game.

Ravens @ Commanders: UNDER 37.5 (BetMGM)

Both teams allowed 98 more yards than they gained in their first games this preseason, although that only translated to 32 combined points in Washington’s win over Cleveland.

Neither the Ravens nor the Commanders passed for more than 180 yards, and both Washington quarterbacks who took snaps after Howell left the game turned the ball over.

The Ravens gained more yards per play on the ground than they did through the air, and we expect that shared lack of consistent offense will outweigh the average Week 1 performance of both defenses. Play the under in Landover.