Baltimore Ravens at New York Jets

Betting Odds

Point Spread: New York Jets (-2.5)
Game Total Line: (45)
(wagering lines available at 5Dimes)

After increasing consternation on behalf of Jets betting fans, Darrelle Revis finally agreed to a new contract, brining the NFL's best defensive player back in the fold after a prolonged holdout. New York's defense is expected to dominate once again, but there has been a mini rash of injuries that warrants watching. Safety Brodney Pool has missed three practices this week, which would soften the secondary. More importantly, the pass rush could take a major hit against Baltimore; Shaun Ellis has been limited by a knee injury and Calvin Pace is out with a broken bone in his foot. New York certainly can't afford any injuries to its pass rushers once kick off arrives.

On the other side of the ball, the Jets are still a question mark. Or, more specifically, Mark Sanchez is. Sanchez didn't enjoy near the success Matt Ryan or Joe Flacco did as rookies; if he isn't markedly better than he was in 2009, it's quite unlikely Sanchez can guide this team to a Super Bowl. The team jettisoned Thomas Jones in the offseason and handed the running back reins to Shonn Greene. Greene broke out in the postseason and shouldn't be a drop off from Jones; if anything, he'll be an improvement. Much of that success comes from the bulldozing line, however, which has somehow stayed healthy for a few years now.

The Ravens are fired up for 2010 as they appear to have their best offense in team history. The aforementioned Flacco made strides last year and is poised for a serious breakout. Baltimore finally gave him a No. 1 receiver in Anquan Boldin and, although Boldin isn't among the NFL's five or six elite targets, he's a hardnosed player that will make tough catches and first downs. Regardless, the offense will still revolve around Ray Rice, last year's breakthrough player. Rice is a dynamic little sparkplug and a threat both on the ground and in the air.

In an odd twist, the Ravens the weakest they've been in years on defense. The secondary in particular has been battered, and the team is quite thin at corner. There's a chance Lardarius Webb-who started last year-could play some nickel on Monday, though Baltimore isn't holding its breath. Ed Reed is starting the year on the PUP, leaving a big-time playmaker on the sidelines.

Baltimore is 5-1 all-time against the Jets both straight up and against the spread, though they haven't met since 2007. The total has gone under three times in those games; two over; and once a push.

Game Betting Pick

Until Jets QB M.Sanchez can prove to me that he can pass versus a top flight defense, we're going to fade the Jets. Take the Ravens +2.5 at bodog.com