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Cantor Technology has released early point spreads for Weeks One through Sixteen of the 2016 NFL regular season. Two pertinent notes for those unfamiliar with football gambling: First, the point spread is not a representation of what the oddsmaker believes will transpire in the game, it is their guess as to what numbers will generate an equal amount of wagers on each side so they can minimize their risk and collect the vigorish.
Secondly, a home field advantage of 2.5 to 4 points is built into the point spreads, depending on how historically successful the team has been at home.
Here is what they are currently offering for the Ravens:
Week 1
Buffalo Bills at Baltimore (-3, 43.5)
Week 2
Baltimore (-3) at Cleveland Browns
Week 3
Baltimore at Jacksonville Jaguars (EVEN)
Week 4
Oakland Raiders at Baltimore (-2)
Week 5
Washington Redskins at Baltimore (-2.5)
Week 6
Baltimore at New York Giants(-3)
Week 7
Baltimore at New York Jets (-4)
Week 8
BYE
Week 9
Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5) at Baltimore
Week 10
Cleveland Browns at Baltimore (-8.5)
Week 11
Baltimore at Dallas Cowboys (-4.5)
Week 12
Cincinnati Bengals (-1.5) at Baltimore
Week 13
Miami Dolphins at Baltimore (-3)
Week 14
Baltimore at New England Patriots (-9)
Week 15
Philadelphia Eagles (-3) at Baltimore
Week 16
Baltimore at Pittsburgh Steelers (-8)
These spreads have the Ravens favored in only six games and the underdog in eight games. The Ravens are even money or underdogs in six of seven road games, including two spreads of more than a touchdown. They are also underdogs in three homes games, to the Steelers, Bengals, and Eagles.
If every game played out according to these point spreads, the Ravens would enter Week 17 with a negative differential of 13.5 points. The Ravens are projected to win or push their first five games before losing six of eight after the bye week.
Sharp gamblers should be looking at betting on the Ravens in Weeks 7, 11, 15 and 16. There is a good deal of value in those four lines where the presently stand. If the Ravens offseason acquisitions live up to expectations, and the team is fortunate enough to stay relatively healthy, they could provide good gambling value throughout the 2016 season.