[Baltimore Sun] Ravens vs. Raiders staff picks: Who will win Sunday’s home opener in Baltimore?
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Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Sunday’s Week 2 game between the Ravens and Las Vegas Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
Brian Wacker, reporter
Ravens 27, Raiders 13: The good news for the Raiders is they still have star edge rusher Maxx Crosby and elite wide receiver Davante Adams. The bad news is they are without pass rushers Malcolm Koonce and likely Tyree Wilson after both suffered knee injuries. That will make make Lamar Jackson’s job that much easier, and M&T Bank Stadium should be fertile ground for running back Derrick Henry after former Raven J.K. Dobbins chewed up Las Vegas for 135 yards on just 10 carries last week.
Childs Walker, reporter
Ravens 30, Raiders 17: The Raiders held their own in an opening loss to the Chargers. They have skilled playmakers and an elite pass rusher in Maxx Crosby. In other words, enough talent to make the Ravens uncomfortable. But the Ravens have an MVP quarterback, a far more more accomplished coach and more star power on defense. Look for Derrick Henry to break out in his Baltimore debut as the Ravens play from ahead all afternoon.
Mike Preston, columnist
Ravens 28, Raiders 17: No team wants to lose the season opener, especially to an AFC rival. The Ravens lost to Kansas City last Thursday in a squeaker, but they will rebound Sunday against the Raiders. Las Vegas doesn’t have much of a running game and its passing game is just as bad with quarterback Gardiner Minshew II. Vegas is also making a trip from out west to play in Baltimore. The Ravens’ defense has something to prove after a weak performance in Kansas City, and Lamar Jackson should be able to get more of his playmakers involved in the offense. The Raiders, though, have a strong defensive line, which could be a challenge for the Ravens.
C.J. Doon, editor
Ravens 23, Raiders 16: Gardner Minshew II left M&T Bank Stadium victorious last year with the Colts. Could the veteran quarterback help lead another upset? Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers and rookie tight end Brock Bowers could create some headaches for the Ravens’ defense, and Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins have the potential to have a field day against Baltimore’s work-in-progress offensive line. I don’t think it’s a guarantee that Derrick Henry will be unlocked against a Raiders defense that actually handled the Chargers’ rushing attack pretty well outside of two long runs by J.K. Dobbins. It’s hard to envision the Ravens losing this one and falling to 0-2 when Lamar Jackson is healthy, but there’s a good chance there are some tense moments in the second half.
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Tim Schwartz, editor
Ravens 31, Raiders 17: Baltimore is the far superior team in this matchup. Las Vegas has one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the league in Gardner Minshew II and a below-average running game to support him, and the Ravens will be hungry after dropping their season opener in Kansas City. The home crowd will energize Baltimore, which might have trouble with Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby and the rest of their defensive line, but Lamar Jackson and the Ravens should have their way with Las Vegas and win this one easily. A loss at home would sound the alarms, that’s for sure.
Bennett Conlin, editor
Ravens 24, Raiders 13: Baltimore faces another AFC West team this weekend, but the Raiders aren’t the Chiefs. A 12-point Week 1 loss to the Chargers showed Las Vegas’ many flaws, which include defensive end depth and quarterback play. That’s not an ideal combination against a Ravens team that opened the season with a clunky showing, but still almost beat the defending Super Bowl champs. Look for Baltimore to bounce back and Las Vegas to drop to 0-2, suffering a pair of losses to the Harbaugh brothers.
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