Online betting players are seeing Carolina go through a major transition on both sides of the ball, and they’ll get their first taste of game action in Baltimore, where the Ravens will be waiting, and even though they’re a bit banged up on defense, we’re banking on their depth to down the young Panthers.
What: NFL betting
When: Thursday, August 12th, 8:00 PM ET
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
Pick: Baltimore
What’s On The Line
The Panthers will begin the Matt Moore era, although we’re not that sure he’s going to play that long. If any case, we’ll then get to see Jimmy Clausen, the rookie who fell in the draft due to character issues. The Ravens strengthened their team in the offseason, and they have a couple of rookies that NFL betting players should keep an eye on.
Offensive Matchups: Panthers Ravens Betting
After finally getting rid of Jake Delhomme, the Panthers will be led out by Moore, who gave a good account of himself late last season. That didn’t stop the Panthers from taking a gamble on Clausen, the strong-armed and confident quarterback many feel will be the best pivot out of the 2010 draft. The Panthers are also worried about Steve Smith, whose broken arm may keep him out of the regular-season opener, so he definitely won’t be in this game. We should also get to see rookie wideout Brandon LaFell, who is a part of a young group of receivers in Carolina.
The Ravens, on the other hand, are deep and experienced at running back with the signings of Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth, who will be eager to repay the Ravens for taking a chance on him after he missed all of 2009 due to suspension. Joe Flacco is still the main man under center, but this will be a game for Troy Smith and John Beck to battle for the backup spot. Rookie tight end Ed Dickson should get some reps in, while Jalen Parmele will try to show that he should be the third-string running back.
Betting Pick: Ravens
Defensive Matchups: Panthers Ravens Betting
The key in this game for the Panthers is finding someone to replace Thomas Davis, who tore his ACL for the second time, so now depth is a problem at that position. The Panthers also have to fill the hole left by Julius Peppers up front, but end Greg Hardy looks like he could be a decent find as a sixth-round pick.
Ed Reed may start the season on the PUP list because of hip surgery, while rookie Sergio Kindle fractured his skull falling downstairs and will miss all of training camp. The Ravens still have Terrance Cody to consider at nose tackle, but Kindle was the player everyone was waiting to see. He was an undersized rush end at Texas, but the Ravens were hoping to convert him into a linebacker that uses his speed off the edge.
Free sport pick: Draw
Notable Injuries: Panthers Ravens Betting
Davis (knee) was hurt during OTAs, yet another reason that the NFL needs to consider getting rid of them.
Reed (hip) will miss this game, along with Kindle (head).
Free picks: Draw
Outlook and Pick: Panthers Ravens Betting
NFL betting odds should favor the Ravens at home, and there may be some added motivation: the Panthers have won all three of their meetings with Baltimore in their history. We’re going with the Ravens based on a deeper defense, they’re at home, and they have more experience at the skill positions, even among their second and third-string players. Between Moore and Clausen, not to mention Carolina’s young receivers, there will be a lot of mistakes made by the Panthers, which should hand the sports betting win to the Ravens.
Stan’s Pick: Baltimore Ravens