There are 10 games on Saturday’s NFL Preseason slate as we enter the final week of exhibition contests. These matchups are the final opportunity for teams to get tuned up against live competition before the regular season begins in September, so we may see some starters get additional work this time around. The weekend action opens as the Washington Commanders host the Baltimore Ravens at 12 p.m. EST, so strap in and get ready for some football.
Here’s a prediction and pick on DraftKings Sportsbook for this Commanders vs. Ravens duel.
Commanders vs. Ravens prediction, preview
Washington Commanders
A team’s record through the exhibition schedule doesn’t mean all that much, but the Commanders enter the third and final game with an 0-2 start. Both losses were particularly ugly with a 48-18 finish against the New England Patriots before a 31-17 disappointment at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals last week. Most of the starters, including quarterback Jayden Daniels, didn’t play in those contests. Now, there’s a chance they’ll suit up on Saturday, though star wideout Terry McLaurin remains without a contract extension and is in a semi-holdout state at the moment.
However, more personnel moves loom for Washington after they traded halfback Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers for a sixth-round pick on Friday. That opens a clear pathway to snaps for Chris Rodriguez, an early-down grinder, as well as the star of the fantasy football preseason, Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The latter halfback, who prefers to be called “Bill,” was just a seventh-round selection in April’s draft but has captured the hearts and minds of the fantasy community with great explosiveness and vision. He’s taken 18 carries for 70 yards in the exhibition slate, and with greater opportunity now available, Croskey-Merritt could become a household name if he takes advantage of the situation. Who steps up between he, Rodriguez and veteran Austin Ekeler (if he plays) will be a prime storyline to watch in this contest and tell a lot about how the staff views the backfield pecking order.
Baltimore Ravens
Meanwhile, the Ravens beat the Indianapolis Colts 24-16 to open their NFL Preseason slate and followed it up with a 31-13 win over the Dallas Cowboys. Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers and other starters have remained inactive, a couple of names did stand out. Halfback Keaton Mitchell looked like a star in the first contest with nine carries for 68 yards and a touchdown before being shut down in the second game. That likely won’t change on Saturday as Baltimore’s decision-makers use the opportunity to evaluate players on the roster bubble.
This contest should prove interesting as Cooper Rush tries to shake off a turnover-prone start to his year with three interceptions. He’s slated to back up Jackson this season, but their skill sets present a staunch dichotomy. Halfbacks D’Ernest Johnson (29 CAR, 118 YDS, one TD) and Rasheen Ali (28 CAR, 99 YDS, one TD) will compete for a depth role once more, though they’ll eventually end up buried behind Justice Hill and Mitchell. In the receiving game, 2024 fourth-round pick Devontez Walker has made something of a case for his own roster spot, hauling in 6-of-10 targets for 61 yards over these two games. LaJohntay Wester has caught just 2-of-7 looks for 41 yards, but he did return a punt 80-plus yards for a touchdown in Week 1 of the NFL Preseason.
Commanders vs. Ravens pick, best bet
DraftKings Sportsbook lists the Ravens as three-point favorites on Saturday with -162 odds on the Moneyline. The Commanders are listed at +136 odds with a game total of 35.5 points.
Betting on these contests can prove difficult sometimes since quality of play takes a nosedive compared to regular-season games. However, there’s still some value to be had, as well as things NFL fans can and should watch for in regard to the regular season.
Baltimore’s defense looks quite capable over the first two weeks of the NFL Preseason slate after allowing just 29 combined points across two games. They’re well-coached under John Harbaugh and play with an edge many other teams don’t bring, and of course, they’re notoriously good in these exhibition games over recent years. I feel comfortable taking them to cover, especially against a Washington defense which has conceded a whopping 79 points over their first couple of contests. Until the Commanders’ depth guys can prove they can stop a drive, there’s little reason to take betting lines involving the team.
I will add though, that halfback battle looks quite interesting. Croskey-Merritt has created a legitimate case for a significant role in the Commanders’ backfield, but Rodriguez did show out last week and brings experience to the table that his counterpart doesn’t. They aren’t the same archetype of halfback, so each could have a job during the regular season, but I’m still monitoring how the division of labor shakes out in this game to see how the staff feels about both. Perhaps the fantasy community shall end up vindicated by the hype for Bill Croskey-Merritt after all.
