Thursday 8/15 NFL Preseason Betting Odds and Picks: Packers vs. Ravens



Professional sports handicapper Ross Benjamin is coming off a solid 4-2 ATS opening week of preseason action. Ross has picks on both the total and side in today’s Packers/Ravens game.

The Green Bay Packers and Baltimore Ravens will meet today in an NFL preseason contest. The opening kickoff from M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore is slated for 7:30 PM ET.



The Total

BetOnline is presently displaying a total of 38.5 on this contest. Additionally, there are several major offshore sportsbooks that are showing a total of 36.5. That speaks to the difficulty for even top industry expert oddsmakers when setting a line on NFL preseason games. Let alone deciphering through the unpredictable and erratic public betting patterns which occur in days leading up to a specific game.

Since 2012, Green Bay has gone under in 11 of 12 preseason road games when there’s been a total of 37.0 or greater. Green Bay is coming off last week’s 28-26 win over Houston. Since 2016, they’ve gone under in all 5 of their preseason games following a win and when there was a total of 42.5 or less.

Since 2016, Baltimore has gone under in each of its 8 preseason games when there’s been a total of 37.0 or greater. The Ravens are coming off last Thursday’s 29-0 home win in their preseason opener against Jacksonville. The Baltimore defense limited Jacksonville to a scant 112 yards of total offense.

Pick: Under 38.5


Preseason Perfection

At this time, the NFL odds at 5Dimes is listing Baltimore as a 3.0-point home favorite over Green Bay. It's important to note, the majority of online sportsbooks are exhibiting a point-spread of either 3.5 or 4.0 on this game.

Since 2016, Baltimore is an unscathed 14-0 straight up in preseason contests and covered on 12 of those occasions. Even more compelling is their 7-0 straight up and against the spread home record during throughout that exact time frame. The Ravens won those 7 preseason home games by a substantial average of 16.1 points per game. All those contests have come under the watchful eye of current head coach John Harbaugh.

Obviously, John Harbaugh places an emphasis on winning during preseason action, and he’s been highly efficacious in conveying that message to his team. I just can’t ignore this high degree of profitability when make one of my NFL picks this week.

Pick: Ravens -3.5

Ross Benjamin is a top sports analyst and one of the sports industry's most respected handicappers. Follow him on Twitter: @RossBenjamin1 or visit his website at RBWins.com


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