RSR PREDICTIONS: Rams at Ravens

Winning six of their past seven games, the Ravens (9-3) return home after their bye week to face the Los Angeles Rams (6-6) on Sunday at 1PM. At 9-3, the Ravens and Dolphins each own the AFC’s top records, although Miami currently stands as the No. 1 playoff seed due to a better winning percentage in conference (6-2 v. 6-3). Miami hosts the Titans on Monday Night Football.

The Ravens sit atop the AFC North standings with a two-game lead over the 7-5 Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns. The Ravens have one divisional battle remaining, when they host Pittsburgh in Week 18.

Baltimore leads the all-time series vs. the Rams, 5-3, winning four of the past five matchups. These teams last met during the 2021 season, when Los Angeles emerged victorious, 20-19, in a Week 17 game at M&T Bank Stadium. Tyler Huntley was 20 of 32 during the game for 197 yards and an interception. He was also sacked 5 times. Devonta Freeman and Latavius Murray led the way on the ground with a combined 107 yards on 25 carries.

The Ravens are 3-1 vs. the Rams under head coach John Harbaugh.

With five games to play, Baltimore has already clinched its 12th winning season during Coach Harbaugh’s 16 years at the helm. The Ravens’ 9-3 record this season marks their best start since 2019, when the team finished 14-2. Will they advance to 10-3? The Ravens are currently 7 ½ point favorites. The over/under line is set at a very modest 39 ½ — an interesting number given that the teams average a combined 49.3 PPG.

Tony Lombardi

The Rams are a hot team, averaging 30 points per game during their last three contests. During that same span, the Ravens have put up 28.3 PPG. Neither team will approach those totals thanks to Mother Nature.

• The elements will heavily influence the outcome of Sunday’s contest:

o Neither quarterback will throw for over 200 yards.
o Neither team will gain more than 325 yards.
o Neither team will score more than 19 points.
o Neither team will attempt a field goal beyond 35 yards.
o Two PAT’s will be missed, one by Justin Tucker
o Both teams will have 2 or more turnovers.
o The heavy dependency on running the football will speed up the game, one that wraps up by 3:50PM.

• Lamar Jackson will struggle. He’ll throw for just 140 yards and finish with a passer rating of under 80.

• Gus Edwards will be the Ravens’ offensive star. He will score twice from inside the 5-yard line and he’ll carry the rock for 85 yards. One of those scores will be set up by a DPI drawn by the crafty OBJ.

• Keaton Mitchell will struggle to get going but he’ll rip off one big run of 25+ yards that gets the Ravens deep in the red zone.

• The Ravens will rack up 175 yards on the ground.

• The Rams star of the game on offense will be Puka Nacua who will post 75 receiving yards and another 30 on runs. He’ll score one of the Rams two touchdowns. The other TD will be posted by Kyren Williams who carries it 18 times for 70 yards and a score.

• Matthew Stafford will be intercepted twice, one of which will result in a Roquan Smith pick-six which will prove to be the difference in the game.

Ravens hold on to the No. 2 spot in the AFC.

Ravens 19 Rams 13

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Darin McCann

This one looked a tad bit easier four weeks ago.

The Rams have won three straight games, and their much-maligned defense has played a big part in that, allowing 16, 14 and 19 points in those games, respectively. Add that to an improved running attack on offense and a dangerous band of receivers, and, well… maybe this isn’t the gimme game many of us wanted to have before embarking on a very difficult final four games of the season. Still, the Ravens do have the better team, home field and all of their goals right in front of them. Let’s look at some bold predictions:

• The Ravens have been strangely mediocre in run defense, and I chalk a lot of that up to a scheme that has adapted to the modern-day passing attacks in the league, as opposed to structural problems. I think we see quite a bit of Travis Jones, Michael Pierce and Brent Urban this week, and the good guys keep the Rams under 100 yards of rushing offense — despite the strong play of Kyren Williams.
• Also, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp will combine for less than 120 yards receiving against this pass defense.
• The scheme this game could limit the Ravens’ pass rush, and I think they have two or less sacks this week.
• Play-action could help spring some big plays in the pass attack, and Lamar Jackson will throw for more than 250 yards, while picking up another 70 on the ground.
• OBJ reminds his former teammates what they are missing, and records two receiving touchdowns.

 

Ravens 27 Rams 13

Kevin McNelis

The Rams did the Ravens a favor by defeating a persistent Browns team that just won’t seem to go away. LA showed their usual scoring chops in that game, having three different pass-catchers find the endzone, and Kyren Williams recording over 100 all-purpose yards. The Ravens defense will have to come ready to play, regardless of whether rookie sensation Puka Nacua will be ready to suit up while nursing an AC joint sprain. So, what decides this one?

-The Ravens defense will have to put pressure on LA early and often. The long road trip from the West Coast into Baltimore already makes for an inhospitable environment, but Matt Stafford has seen significantly reduced numbers when facing pressure in the pocket this season. While LA is surrendering the 4th fewest sacks this season, Baltimore’s defense has been humming, and Mike Mac hasn’t been hesitant to bring some unconventional looks. The Ravens sack Stafford three times, but bring tons of pressure forcing multiple throwaways and a pick by Brandon Stephens.

-LA’s offensive numbers have fallen largely in the middle of the pack in terms of yardage, but they have the 7th-best TD percentage when reaching the red zone. They’ll have some success marching downfield, but Baltimore puts the clamps on the Rams offense and doesn’t allow a touchdown in the first half.

-The Rams, on the other hands, gave up significant yardage in their last appearance to Joe Flacco, and not the Flacco of old, but a 38-year-old Joe Flacco in a new offense on a week’s notice. It doesn’t bode well for them as they face a well-rested Ravens offense that’s spreading the ball around much more freely than in years past. Lamar Jackson scores three passing TDs and adds one on the ground.

The Rams may rally back into this one a bit in the second half, but I’m optimistic that the malaise we’ve seen from the Ravens following a week’s rest in the past won’t happen on Sunday. Baltimore is going to come out quickly and smack the Rams in the mouth, and it’ll be too much to recover from.

Ravens 31 Rams 20

Rob Shields

The Ravens are coming off of a much needed bye week. The team was tired and beat up. Of course, they also had the mini bye before that and while the rest is great, there could be a little rust early in this game.

Harbaugh talked about how the coaches had a good week and they went over everything. You have to think something that was at the top of the list is how do they overcome the loss of Mark Andrews.  The passing game looked poor against a bad Chargers pass defense but the poor showing by the beat up tackles and still trying to feel their way without Andrews had a lot to do with that.

The pass offense could look a little sluggish to start this game but overall, we should start to see a plan of what they will do and if it will be successful.

Defensively, the Rams offense poses some issues. They have a good RB, very good WR and Matt Stafford is playing well. This is a very young team and offense but they are talented and well coached.

This is essentially a must win game with the next four games on the schedule. I expect them to come out looking fresh and a step quicker.

Ravens 24 Rams 16

Tanner George

The bye week came at a perfect time.

​After 12 grueling games, the Ravens were finally able to take a week to relax—and watch the Chiefs, Jags, Steelers, and Browns all drop to their opponents. Hopefully it was a restful bye, as the final stretch isn’t so friendly…

​But the focus must be on this week, where a scorching-hot LA Rams team on a three-game win streak rolls into town. They, like the Ravens, have had health problems pertaining to a few key guys throughout the season, most recently with standout rookie pass-catcher Puka Nacua suffering an AC sprain. With a rocky road ahead, this is a must-win for Harbaugh’s squad. The score doesn’t have to be pretty—after all, it’s December. The mantra at this point is simply take care of business. Look for the Ravens to do exactly that in their return to the Bank.

– Lamar Jackson: 22/28, 230 yards, 2 TDs

– Keaton Mitchell again out snaps (and outplays) Gus Edwards, taking a screen pass for a 30+ yard score

– OBJ finds the endzone again, while Flowers goes over 70 yards

– The defense registers 5 sacks, including contributions from Madabeeks (2) and Clowney (1.5)

– Marlon Humphrey notches his first pick of the year on an underthrown ball to Nacua

Ravens 31 Rams 

Jared Pinder

The biggest factor for this game is now the weather. It is supposed to be nasty out and with a warm weather team coming in this advantage will go to the Ravens.

— Ravens will pound the rock and Gus and Mitchell both have touchdowns

— Matt Stafford has a decent day but turns over the ball 2+ times

— Rams try to feed Kyren Williams but they fail due to the run defense of the Ravens

This is going to be a hard fought trench battle type of game and it will be determined by who has the more dominant line. The weather however plays a part and it helps the Ravens win.

Ravens 31 Rams 17 

Chris Schisler

The Ravens are playing a Rams team that is hot. They’ve scored over 30 two weeks in a row. Kyren Williams has given them a boost on offense at the running back position. Still, the Rams are 6-6 and the Ravens are vying for the top seed in the AFC playoffs. The Ravens are coming off the bye and should be a little less banged up. Todd Monken has had time to work out some of the kinks we saw in the Chargers game. So give me the Ravens.

The main reason I’m picking the Ravens is their ability to get to the quarterback. Pass protection has been the major issue for the Rams this year. Their inability to protect Stafford in the pocket will lead to the turnovers the Ravens need to create some comfort space in this game. Put the defense down for four sacks and two turnovers.

Bold predictions:

– Kyle Hamilton has a sack and an interception.

– Keaton Mitchell breaks three 20-yard plus runs.

– Justin Tucker shows he’s still Justin Tucker and hits 3 field goals over 50 yards.

-Lamar Jackson has 225 yards passing and 75 on the ground.

Ravens 27 Rams 17

Nick Polinsky

All the sudden, the Rams are right back in the NFC Wild Card race after winning 3 straight. On this streak, the Rams have a margin of victory of almost 14 points and it’s in part due to the return of Kyren Williams. Since returning from IR he’s rushed 37 times for 231 yards while scoring 3 touchdowns. This Rams offense is finally starting to click, and this just has the feeling of a potential trap game for Baltimore. The Ravens however, are 12-3 coming out of the bye under John Harbaugh. The bye week also came at a perfect time, allowing Justin Madubuike to recover from his concussion, and Marlon Humphrey from his thigh injury.

It looks like it’ll be a sloppy weather game in Baltimore, and here’s how I think it goes.

• The Ravens rush for over 200 yards, with Lamar Jackson, Keaton Mitchell, and Gus Edwards all gathering at least 50.
• Geno Stone gets back on the board, as he picks up his first interception since week 9.
• The lone Rams touchdown will come from Kyren Williams, but he is held under 4 yards per carry in the game.
• All four of the Ravens main defensive pressure sources pick up a sack (Madubuike, Clowney, Van Noy, Oweh)
• Zay Flowers will pick up another touchdown in this one, the longest of his career so far from 40+ yards out.

 

While the Rams are heating up, they haven’t shown me enough to say that they can win this one on the road.

Ravens 24 Rams 13

Brennan Stewart

This is shaping up to be a real competitive game come Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium, with the Rams coming off of a three-game win streak after most recently beating the Cleveland Browns, 36-19.

The Rams most impressive feat against Cleveland was stopping Myles Garrett and the rest of the defense from recording a single sack on Matthew Stafford, allowing the veteran quarterback to throw for 279 yards and three touchdowns. The Browns’ defense is just behind Baltimore’s at the top of the league in terms of caliber, so I do expect less out of the linebacker corps this week compared to other games. Baltimore does have 13 more sacks than Cleveland across 14 weeks, so there is hope that we will see some sacks on the board.

Looking at the weather for Sunday, it looks like Baltimore is primed to take advantage of its diverse run game with the combined threats of Lamar Jackson, Gus Edwards, Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell. I expect there to be more touchdowns on the ground than in the air, which is a common trend for this team to begin with.

With that said, here are a few props to consider based on a gut-feeling:

• The Ravens defense combines for three or fewer sacks on Matthew Stafford.
• Gus Edwards records Baltimore’s first of three rushing touchdowns.
• Los Angeles running back Kyren Williams surpasses 88 rushing yards, a feat he has accomplished in four of his past five games.
• Keaton Mitchell rushes for over 50 yards.
• A field goal from Justin Tucker puts Baltimore ahead as the clock expires in the fourth quarter.

 

It’s going to be closer than many expect, but Baltimore manages to pull away to build on Lamar Jackson’s 18-1 record against NFC teams as a starter.

Baltimore 24 Los Angeles 21

Chad Racine

The Rams record tells a different story of who they’re becoming in December. It’s all about getting hot at the right time and that’s exactly what they’re doing, averaging 33 points and over 400 yards the last three games. The Rams’ trio of wide receivers will be difficult to handle.The Ravens are returning after a much needed bye and they’ve done historically well under Harbaugh. The weather is expected to be a mess on Sunday with rain and heavy winds.

– Lamar Jackson will be looking to get the ball out quickly and play mistake free football. He will throw for 200 yards, rush for 50 yards, and one rushing touchdown.

– OBJ will have 5 receptions for 60 yards converting at least two 3rd down conversions.

– Keaton Mitchell will continue to shine making defenders miss and slip in the rain. He will rush for 1 touchdown.

– Justin Tucker goes 3 for 3 in the 40-50-yard range in less than ideal conditions.

– Aaron Donald won’t have a sack because the Ravens will put extra resources and attention on him.

– Cooper Kupp will have the Rams’ lone touchdown.

Ravens 23 Rams 16