Baltimore Ravens 2022 NFL Season Betting Preview (Healthy Ravens Are Dangerous)

The injury bug ruined the Ravens 2021 season, but if that pesky fly can be swatted away in 2022 (prayers up) this team has the talent and coaching to win the division, conference and the whole damn thing.

That all starts with Lamar Jackson. Still seeking a long-term contract, and having set a Week 1 deadline to end conversations (Jackson is his own agent), Jackson is gambling on himself to have a big year (at least at this point) and prove he's worth even more money than Kyler Murray just got paid.

That could could be good for the Ravens. A motivated quarterback is a dangerous quarterback. But I'm going to say a healthy Ravens team is even more important, because if this team can stay healthy, they're gonna be a terror.

You could have made a similar statement in 2021, so there's no guarantees clearer skies are ahead for Baltimore, but with some key offseason acquisitions highlighted by an outstanding draft class, you gotta like its chances heading into this season.

Now, let's get to our betting picks for Baltimore, and don't forget to check out the full list of team previews here. We'll be releasing one each day until all 32 NFL teams are covered.

Baltimore Ravens Offseason Moves and Signings

• Drafted safety Kyle Hamilton and center Tyler Linderbaum in the first round.
• Signed safety Marcus Williams, cornerback Kyle Fuller and tackle Morgan Moses in free agency.
• Traded wide receiver Marquise Brown for a first round pick.

Baltimore Ravens 2022 Schedule

The Ravens open up their season with a road game against the Jets and don't have their first division game until week 5 against the Bengals. That's one of their three primetime games this season.

• Week 5 vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday Night Football)
• Week 8 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Thursday Night Football)
• Week 9 at New Orleans Saints (Monday Night Football)

The Ravens bye is Week 10.

Baltimore Ravens 2022 Win Total Prediction

• OVER 9.5 wins (-155)
• UNDER 9.5 wins (+140)

The Ravens were 7-4 last season before Lamar Jackson got hurt against the Bengals in Week 13 and stumbled to an 8-9 finish. They were 7-4 despite losing their top two running backs (J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards) and All-Pros Marcus Peters to season-ending injuries in the preseason and Marlon Humphrey and Ronnie Stanley to season-ending injuries during the regular season. They won 8 games despite having a shell of a roster most of the season.

Yeah, I'm thinking they're gonna eclipse that number this season.

With all the aforementioned players returning this season, plus the additions of Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams to the secondary and Tyler Linderbaum to the offensive line, the Ravens are set up to be the same team we know them to be: Knockout defense, powerful run game, opportunistic pass game, which is the one area of concern and something we'll get to in a second.

Looking at their schedule, they have the Jets, Dolphins and Patriots to start. Worst case, they're 2-1 at that point. Then they face the Bills and Bengals, and you gotta hope for a split. The Giants and Browns, without Deshaun Watson, should lead to 2-0 and they have winnable games agains the Panthers, Jaguars and Falcons after that. Boom, we're already to eight wins. Split the season-series against the Steelers and pick up another quality win and we're over the number.

I think 10 wins is a layup as long as they stay healthy.

Baltimore Ravens 2022 Odds to Win AFC North, AFC, and Super Bowl

• To Make the Playoffs: -130
• Odds to Win AFC North: +145
• Odds to Win AFC: +900
• Odds to Win Super Bowl 57: +1800

Oddsmakers are equally optimistic that they're in for a strong season. They're the favorites to win the division, are fifth in AFC odds and ninth in Super Bowl odds. Quite frankly, I'm a little disappointed they don't have longer odds, but I do see value in betting them to win the division and Super Bowl.

The defending AFC champion Bengals should be tough, but the Super Bowl hangover is real and their defense is porous. The Steelers quarterback situation is a complete disaster with first-rounder Kenny Pickett looking inconsistent in preseason and Mitch Trubisky looking like he did on the Bears, which is to say bad. The Browns are going to be without Deshaun Watson for 11 weeks and fill-in starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett isn't scaring anyone. I could see the Ravens mopping the floor with this division, with a 4-2 record being the worst-case scenario. Give me that all day.

Because they finished last in the AFC North last year, they have a lighter schedule, which should also benefit them.

The Bills look like a juggernaut this year, and the Ravens face them early on in Week 4. It's a home game and could loom critical in the AFC playoff standings. A win there goes a long way toward securing home field in the playoffs.

Beyond Buffalo, Kansas City still have Patrick Mahomes and will be dangerous and fellow AFC West squads in Denver and San Diego are also expected to contend. But I like the Ravens ground-and-pound strategy on offense and the maulers they have on defense come January. We've seen pass rushing be critical in the playoffs the last two years (and throughout history) and the Ravens have the players up front to dominate some of those powerful offenses.

Their biggest issue is the passing game. That's also been critical for teams winning the Super Bowl the last few years and I do worry about their passing game letting them down in one win-or-go-home game, which will cost them. But at +1800 odds, I'm willing to sprinkle a bit on them and bet Jackson has another MVP-esque season. We know there's no guarantee, but the players are there to make it happen.