Ravens Shift to Home Underdogs After Jackson Thumb Injury
Baltimore odds flipped from favorite to 8.5-point dog against Jacksonville after Lamar Jackson went to injured reserve.
By Jonathan Ramirez ·
The Baltimore Ravens face a stark reality this week after losing their starting quarterback to a new injury. The shift has dramatically altered the betting landscape for the upcoming schedule.
Lamar Jackson returned from an ankle injury on Sunday but suffered a thumb injury on the first offensive play of the game. He jammed his right thumb against Bills pass rusher Greg Rousseau during a follow-through. The injury forced him to exit the game immediately.
Head coach Jesse Minter confirmed postgame that Jackson will be placed on injured reserve and undergo surgery. The two-time MVP is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season. This development leaves Baltimore without its primary playmaker for the final stretch of the year.
The Ravens' quarterback depth chart is now in disarray. Backup Tyler Huntley also injured his toe during the game, making his status for the next week uncertain. If Huntley cannot play, undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano is poised to start.
Bookmakers reacted swiftly to the news. The Ravens opened as 3-point home favorites against the Jacksonville Jaguars. That line has now swung to an 8.5-point home underdog. The point total for the matchup dropped from 48.5 to 43.5.
The move reflects the market's adjustment to a team without its star. Baltimore is 0-3 against the spread at home this season. Jacksonville is 4-3 against the spread overall and has a 1-1 record on the road.
Other Week 9 lines show movement across the league. The Denver Broncos remain 3-point road favorites against the Carolina Panthers. Denver has a 6-2 record against the spread, the best in the NFL. The total for that game is 44.5.
The Dallas Cowboys increased their lead over the Indianapolis Colts to a 6-point favorite. That move follows a 42-7 loss for Indianapolis and questions about Daniel Jones' starting role. The total for that game rose to 52.5. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs are 10-point favorites over the New York Jets, up from 9.5 points initially.
The Seattle Seahawks are 11.5-point favorites against the Arizona Cardinals. The line may shift after the Seahawks finish their Week 8 game against the Bears. The Cardinals bench Jacoby Brissett in favor of Gardner Minshew, adding uncertainty to their offense.
The San Francisco 49ers are 9.5-point favorites over the Las Vegas Raiders. San Francisco is 2-2 against the spread at home with an average margin of 11 points. The Raiders have a 3-1 record against the spread on the road. The total for that contest is 51.5.
The Chicago Bears are 6-point favorites against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay won its last game without passing yards, recording zero completions on three attempts by Baker Mayfield. The Bears are 3-1 against the spread at home. The Buffalo Bills are 2.5-point road favorites over the Minnesota Vikings in Monday night's finale.
The New England Patriots are 2.5-point favorites against the Green Bay Packers. New England is 3-4-1 against the spread this season. The Packers are 2-2 on the road. The under is 3-1 in Packers road games. The New York Giants are 2.5-point favorites over the Philadelphia Eagles. New York is 5-2 against the spread entering the week.
