New York Jets vs. Baltimore Ravens: Last Minute Spread Info and Predictions

Rex Ryan and the New York Jets know all too well what is awaiting when they go on the road to take on the Baltimore Ravens.

The Jets and Ravens both believe in being physical on both sides of the ball. Both teams love to run the ball and take pride in having a top-tier defense.

The Ravens stumbled a bit in Week 2, but looked stellar again last week. The Jets got embarrassed and exposed last week in Oakland.

This would be the perfect time for the Jets to rebound and put forth a signature win. While the Jets are struggling, the Ravens will still establish themselves as the team to beat in the AFC North if they can come away with a victory.

Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Md.

When: 8:20 p.m. ET, Oct. 2, 2011.

Watch: NBC

Over/Under: 42

Note: Lines According to Bodog.

Go with the under. This won't turn into a defensive boring defensive struggle by any means, but both teams are going to look to their ground game to move the ball. The Jets have struggled this far, but it's not like Ryan to abandon the run just because it hasn't been as successful as he would like it to be.

This should be a fairly low scoring game and it's hard to see Mark Sanchez and Joe Flacco getting involved in a shootout in this matchup.

Spread: Baltimore -4

The Jets are going to get plenty of action as a four-point underdog, but the safer pick here is the Ravens -4. The Jets' run defense was exposed last week and with Vonta Leach paving the way for Ray Rice, the Ravens are going to shred the Jets.

Given the way the Jets dropped the ball on the road last week and continue to struggle to find their rhythm offensively, the Jets look like they are going to be in for another rough week on the road.

Key Injuries

Jets

Braylon Edwards, WR - Questionable (hamstring)
Santonio Holmes, WR - Probable (shoulder)
David Harris, LB - Questionable (toe)
Antonio Cromartie, CB - Questionable (bruised lung)

Ravens

Lee Evans, WR - Questionable (ankle)
Dominique Foxworth, CB - IR (knee)
Haruki Nakamara, S - Out (knee)

Fantasy Big Plays

Ray Rice - Given the way Darren McFadden ripped apart the Jets last week, you can feel confident that Rice will be off to another monster week. It's odd to say Rice has a favorable matchup against the Jets, but until the Jets sure up their run defense every RB they face is a must-start.

Torrey Smith - Torrey Smith was a popular pickup after he scored three touchdowns in his first three NFL catches. While it was smart to bring him on board, let him prove himself on the bench before starting him.

Mark Sanchez - Five quarterbacks have over 850 yards and more than five touchdowns. Mark Sanchez is one of them. It's much easier to move the ball through the air than on the ground against the Ravens and once the Jets figure that out, it's going to mean another big day for Sanchez.

Dustin Keller - The Saints have been hitting their tight end in the red zone and with receivers banged up all over the field, you can expect him to produce again this week. He's come to play in every game this season and should be good for 80-plus yards and a touchdown.

Keys to a New York Jets' Win

Abandon the run early. This is bizarre, as the Jets are at their best when their run game is going. Even so, the passing game is clicking far better and the Ravens' defense will allow far more success for the Jets through the air.

Shut down Ray Rice. The Jets have to overload the box, even if it means making life easier for Joe Flacco. The Jets can't let themselves get beat by the opposition's best player again.

Keys to a Ravens' Win

Be conservative. The Jets are going to fall apart once the Ravens establish the run. Getting cute and trying to bomb it to Torrey Smith early is a great way to stick it to the Jets, but it's also a more risky game plan than the Ravens need to have to win. Not getting away from their game will lock up a victory for Baltimore.

Make Mark Sanchez uncomfortable. Sanchez coming up big is the only way the Jets win this game. Unleashing Terrell Suggs and frustrating Sanchez takes away their only path to a victory.

Prediction

Ravens 20, Jets 14

These are two of the best teams in the NFL, but the Ravens are red hot and the Jets are coming off a disappointing loss. The wheels are coming off in New York and though the Jets will rebound, this week is going to bring another loss.