The Baltimore Ravens held off the Tennessee Titans 24-18 on Sunday, a result that will matter plenty to anyone tracking Maryland sports betting lines this week, even if the final two quarters made the outcome far closer than it should have been.
A Revenge Game Gone Sideways
This was billed as a much-anticipated revenge game for Derrick Henry, who spent the first nine years of his career tormenting the Ravens as a Titan before signing with Baltimore. Early on, the script seemed to be writing itself. Henry ran for a touchdown in the first quarter to put the Ravens up 7-0, looking every bit like the bruising back who used to make life miserable for this same defense. Tennessee answered right back, with Tony Pollard punching one in to tie the game.
From there, Lamar Jackson took over. He found Zay Flowers for a 19-yard touchdown in the second quarter, then connected with Mark Andrews for another score. Tyler Loop added a field goal to make it 24-7, and Baltimore looked firmly in control heading into the locker room.
Then the game's tone flipped entirely. Jackson went down with an ankle injury in the second half, and the Ravens offense went cold. In what was supposed to be Henry's revenge game, Henry himself got shut down, finishing with just 22 carries for 73 yards, a modest 3.2 yards per carry. The Titans chipped away behind a Joey Slye field goal but could not find the end zone again until it was nearly too late, scoring with just 1:12 left in the fourth quarter. Baltimore recovered the ensuing onside kick to seal the win.
A Win That Didn't Cover
For bettors, the final score only tells half the story. The Ravens won the game but failed to cover the spread, largely because the offense did nothing once Jackson left and Tyler Huntley took over under center. The second half produced almost no production, and it offered an uncomfortable preview of what this offense could look like over an extended stretch without its starting quarterback.
What's Next?
Baltimore moves to 3-1 and now turns its attention to the Atlanta Falcons, who will be coming off a Monday Night Football matchup with the Saints. On paper, the Ravens have the rest advantage. Still, Jackson's injury status could swing the betting line significantly, and anyone checking Maryland sports betting apps this week should expect the number to move depending on his availability.
Baltimore may need to prepare for at least one game without Jackson under center. It has happened before. Last season, the Ravens went 2-2 in games he missed, proof that the offense can survive in short bursts but is far from the same unit without him.
The schedule offers little relief either way. After Atlanta comes a stretch on the road at Cleveland, home against Cincinnati, on the road at Buffalo, then home against Jacksonville. It does not get any easier.
