NFL Pre-Season Picks: Panthers vs. Ravens Point Spread & Pick: August 12th 2010

Carolina Panthers vs. Baltimore Ravens
Pre-Season Pick: Baltimore Ravens -4 -110 odds
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Across the board, from the Vegas strip to offshore portals, the Baltimore Ravens opened as 3 point favorites with an over-under of 34. As the week has progressed the deeper and more talented Ravens have climbed to four point chalk with the total holding serve.

While Baltimore is riddled with injuries, especially in the defensive backfield, they are still the deeper and more experienced team. Offensively the Ravens will be without tackle Jared Gaither; and on the stop side of the ball cornerbacks Fabian Washington and Chris Carr are questionable. Free safety Ed Reed (PUP) will not dress and ballyhooed rookie linebacker Sergio Kindle (head) is out.

Depth is key when evaluating preseason contests and quarterback rotations, experience among such, is critical. The Ravens quarterback rotation will see Joe Flacco, Marc Bulger, Troy Smith, and John Beck taking snaps. As well, Baltimore has depth at both running back and at receiver. Mark Clayton, Anquan Boldin, Donte Stallworth and Derrick Mason will all see action while Ray Rice and Willis McGahee will eventually give way to Le’Ron McClain and Jalen Parmele; all extremely capable and skilled.

The Panthers said goodbye to QB Jake Delhomme, who now plays for the Browns, and defensive end Julius Peppers is rushing the quarterback in the “Black and Blue” division with the Bears. Inexperience is the backdrop in Carolina with QBs Matt Moore, Jimmy Clausen, Hunter Cantwell and Tony Pike seeing playing time. Fox and company will focus on execution offensively, so expect to see more handoffs than deep routes. RBs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart will garner the majority of the first half carries with Tyrell Sutton, Dantrell Savage, and Josh Vaughan receiving second half touches.

The offense will be without All World wideout Steve Smith. After Smith the Panthers have little to offer Moore, Cantwell and rookies Clausen and Pike from the receiver position.

Panthers head coach Fox has never focused on winning the X games and the Ravens depth and experience will eventually win out.

Baltimore is 7-0 ATS when they are outgain their opponents by 100-150 yards since 1993 and with a glaring skill set differential between the two teams tonight expect the Ravens to outgain Fox’s troupe by more than 100 yards.

5* Play on Baltimore