Trendy Super Bowl pick has glaring weakness

John Harbaugh faces some lofty expectations this season. He’s got a young, improving quarterback with two full seasons and three playoff wins under his belt. He’s got a do-it-all running back with a motor that doesn’t stop. And he’s got one of the best offensive lines in football.

But the Ravens head coach has lots to worry about. The defense, long considered the back backbone of Baltimore’s football team, is in bad shape, particularly the secondary.

Domonique Foxworth, who was projected to be a starting cornerback, torn his ACL and is done for the season. It gets worse. DBs Fabian Washington and Lardarius Webb are both still recovering from torn ACLs and neither is practicing with the team yet. Oh yeah, and some guy named Ed Reed expects to miss the start of the regular season because of an ailing hip injury.

Anyone who watched the Ravens play last year knows that their pass defense wasn’t as good as the stats indicate. That secondary got beat deep and was dinged for way too many pass interference calls.

I’m not saying we should bail on Baltimore – I just think we should keep in mind that they’ve got some holes. I expect some high-scoring games early on with plenty of over value on the game totals.

Betjamaica.com has the Ravens at -125 to win the NFC North with the Pittsburgh Steelers second at +225. That leaves the defending division champion Bengals the third choice at +350. I love the value there.

Cincy went 2-0 SU and ATS last year against the Ravens and this year the Bengals bring in a stronger offense and one of the league’s best defense. Just sayin’…..

The Ravens team is jinxed!

Agreed.  Cincy has the best value by far for that division.

This secondary is in shambles. I was quite high on this team but now seeing that everyone back there is hurt, no thanks.

I love this Bengals team even though they may be the all-divas team. Win total is set at 8.

Agree with you on their secondary.  

Ray Lewis is getting old too.   

Cincy went 2-0 SU and ATS last year against the Ravens and this year the Bengals bring in a stronger offense and one of the league’s best defense. Just sayin’…..
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I see your points on Cincy, this +350 is valued for a reason, when was the last time Cincy strung together bb winning seasons?  Passing game ranked 26th last season, and now have a circus show on the field that will bring alot of smoke and mirrors for the fans.  I think their defense will actually be better, and it will have to be, because Cincy has the toughest schedule in the NFL this year, which is another reason for the +350.  Expect no playoffs for the Bengals and finishing third in the div behind Pitt-2, and Balt-1.    gl

 

If the Ravens can replace their injured riddled defense, they will be unstoppable in their division.

You're right, the pass defense is a huge issue and could likely bite them in the ass in the playoffs if against a team such as Indy again. Jets are my favorite from the AFC at this point

Andy Mac!!!!

  The "All Divas team"

last time the boys in orange and black had back to back winning seasons

Any sharp WILL BAIL ON BALTIMORE. Their season is done!

Your nothing but a clueless idiot. Who cares about back to back seasons. That has NO NO NO NO NO valid reason to say thats why the Bengals will struggle. You keep mentioning 26th passing offense. They have added 2 very dynamic weapons to the mix.

Why do you go to every single Cinny thread and try to come up with points on why they will struggle. They will be BETTER THIS SEAON and thats a fact. They beat the Ravens and Pitt TWICE LAST SEASON. The Bengals will be BETTER THIS SEASON and you predict them to finsih 3rd in the division.

I can't wait to pound you into submission when the Bengals own the division this year. You will seriously not hear the end of it.

Facts are facts dude

https://www.nfl.com/trainingcamp/story/09000d5d81964a9e/article/ravens-cb-foxworth-tears-knee-ligament-at-camp-out-for-season

So MOST experts think this dynamic duel of TO and Chad will work. You just think all of us sharps don't know what were talking about? You are one clueless idiot

YOU SIMPLY CAN'T HELP YOURSELF CAN YOU BOY? -A ONE DIMENSIONAL EGOMANIAC WHO HAS SHOWN US HIS GREATEST TALENT IS AN ABILITY TO EMPTY HIS BOWELS THROUGH HIS MOUTH------GET OFF THE HIGH HORSE AND MELLOW LITTLE MAN.

SUPER---I HOPE THAT YOU REALIZE MY POST WAS DIRECTED AT YOU AND IF THE GESTURE YOU POSTED IS MEANT TO HARMONIZE THINGS----BACK AT CHA ---

I don't give a flying fuck what NEWBIES HAVE TO SAY.

WE CAN ALL TALK SMACK FRIEND---BUT YOU'RE TRYING TO GIVE EVERYONE A BLOW JOB ON THIS FORUM-----AREN'T YOUR LIPS A BIT CHAPPED?            

     

Newbies? Why do people who are around here for a lil longer feel the need to have a pissin contest? You haven't even been here for a full NFL season yet, so take it easy.

To answer the ? on Balt, I still think they are overall the better team. Yes, Cincy beat team 2x, but I see a split at least this yr.

I think the best bet is taking them both, Cincy/Balt to finish in the Top 2 for +180. I dont think Pitt gets in there and this way i dont care who wins.

If you want Balt to win it all or AF, I would wait a couple of weeks. I think they lose the Giants Stadium opener. They should be 3-1 after 4 weeks,2-2 @ worst,  with a 2-1 record in the division, and 2 toughest road games out of the way.

Whats up buddy? I agree on all points.

Fellas are making a big deal about the Ravens secondary but what hasn't been discussed is that they've improved with their front seven. They have a very good D line in Pryce, Ngata, Gregg and the addition of Redding, who in my opinion, is an upgrade from Dwan Edwards. And, as soon as Cody gets into playing shape, they will be even stronger.

Are fellas really questioning Ray Lewis' age? Please.....

I will take Lewis, Suggs, Ellerbe and Kindle over the majority. I'm pretty sure Harbaugh is smart enough to run their defensive scheme to his teams strength with stunts and blitz packages in order to soften the blow to their secondary.

As well, the Ravens offense isn't the Ravens of old....they should be as balanced as we see this year in the league. Time of posession will also help the defense, tremendously. It isn't like the Ravens D can't afford to give up 20 points in a game because the Ravens should be one of the more productive teams, offensively, this year.

I can do whatever I want, I can feel however I want, I can say whatever I want.