The Baltimore Ravens entered their matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders as 9-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook and a popular survivor pool pick.
Instead, the Raiders created the most significant upset of the week as +350 underdogs. Lamar Jackson ($7,700; 17.38 FPTs) became the first reigning MVP to start the following season 0-2 in 22 years, and panic has begun to set in for Baltimore.
It was a defensive showdown early on as neither team scored a touchdown in the first half. Justin Tucker and Daniel Carlson combined for five field goals in the opening half with the Ravens taking a 9-6 lead into the break.
The first touchdown finally occurred less than four minutes into the second half on an eight-yard pass from Jackson to Zay Flowers ($6,300; 22.10 FPTs) to push the lead to 16-6. Flowers was the leading receiver in the matchup catching seven of his 11 targets for 91 yards and the touchdown.
The Raiders cut the lead back to single digits with 2:36 left in the 3rd quarter. Alexander Mattison ($5,300; 6.10 FPTS) scored the Raiders’ first touchdown to cap off a 46-yard drive. Mattison had just four carries on the day for one total yard, but managed to make his way into the end zone. It was Zamir White ($5,600; 6.80 FPTS) who led the team with nine carries for 24 yards. However, the lack of impact in the running game was notable as the Ravens tallied 151 rushing yards to the Raiders’ 27.
Baltimore extended the lead back to double digits with a touchdown just five minutes later. It was Derrick Henry ($6,700; 16.60 FPTS) who punched his way into the end zone to push the score to 23-13. Henry still has not been able to play up to his usual standard yet in a Ravens’ uniform, but tallied 18 carries for 84 yards and the touchdown.
Gardner Minshew ($5,100; 13.94 FPTS) did exactly what was necessary in the game to give the Raiders a chance to win. He completed 30 of his 38 pass attempts for 276 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Minshew’s touchdown pass was a one-yard strike to Davante Adams ($7,300; 29.00 FPTS). The star wide receiver recorded nine receptions for 110 yards in the matchup overall. Brock Bowers ($4,400; 18.80 FPTS) also made his impact felt in the game. The rookie caught all nine of his targets for 98 yards, nearly cracking his first 100-yard performance of his NFL career.
Mark Andrews ($5,000; 9.10 FPTS) looked to regain his spot as the number one tight end recording four receptions for 51 yards. Isaiah Likely ($4,800; 4.60 FPTS) was not as involved as he was in the opening week, catching a pair of receptions for 26 yards. Rashod Bateman ($3,900; 7 FPTS) also added three receptions for 40 yards in the loss.
The Ravens will need to fix things internally as they look ahead to their next matchups with the Cowboys, Bills, and then Bengals.
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