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The Baltimore Ravens are currently listed as 2.5 point underdogs in their Week 5 AFC matchup against the Oakland Raiders. This game opened as a pick ‘em contest when news broke that Derek Carr would be sidelined with a back injury, but oddsmakers at the Hilton, MGM and Ceasar’s in Las Vegas have settled on a 2.5 point spread. The point total is set at 40, which correlates to a projected final score of approximately 21-18 Raiders.
Both teams enter Sunday’s matchup in the midst of two game losing streaks. With a quarter of the season in the books, the Raiders have the 28th ranked offense and 20th ranked defense. The Ravens counter with the 30th ranked offense and 21st ranked defense.
Oakland has defeated Baltimore in each of the two previous seasons. In 2015, the Raiders won 37-33 as a six point home underdog. Last year Oakland won 28-27 as three point road underdogs despite a healthy advantage in yardage and time of possession for the Ravens.
Former first round selection E.J. Manuel will start at quarterback for the Raiders in place of Carr. Receiver Michael Crabtree missed Oakland’s Week 4 loss to the Broncos due to a chest injury. Ravens defensive tackle Brandon Williams is also questionable after missing the last two games with a lingering foot ailment. His presence would be valuable to the Ravens as the square off against the Raiders mauling offensive line.
Baltimore is 5-12 straight up on the road over the last three seasons and 0-5 against the spread versus AFC West opponents over the same span. The Ravens are also 4-12 straight up as an underdog and 1-7 against the spread in October games since 2014. Oakland is 3-1 as a small home favorite and 4-1 against the spread versus the AFC North over the last three seasons.
The rival Steelers are currently 8.5 point home favorites against Jacksonville in Week 5. A line has not been released for the Titans - Dolphins tilt in Miami because Marcus Mariota’s availability is currently in question. The undefeated Chiefs are one point road favorites over the Texans on Sunday Night Football.