If this was the regular season then you would not see St. Louis favored in NFL wagering online vs. Baltimore. This is the final week of the preseason though and the Rams are favored on Thursday as they host the Ravens. Gamblers might even choose to make an NFL bet at SBG on the Rams minus the points.
So why are the Rams favored? That is the question you have to answer if you are going to bet the Rams. The Rams looked good last week when they beat New England and that is one reason St. Louis is favored. The Ravens are not going to play many of their starters at all and that is another reason the Rams are favored.
Troy Smith is the Wildcard – If you bet on the Rams in this game then you have to hope that Baltimore backup quarterback Troy Smith doesn’t beat you. He is trying to prove he still deserves a roster spot. The backup to starter Joe Flacco is Marc Bulger and he may be held out on Thursday night as the Ravens may not want to risk him to injury. That would mean Smith plays the entire game.
Sam Bradford – The Rams rookie quarterback played very well last week against New England as the Rams won and covered against the NFL wagering online number and he is making a case that he should be the starter when the regular season begins. A.J. Feeley will not play on Thursday so Bradford gets another chance to impress the coaching staff. Bradford was 15-of-22 for 189 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions last week. Bradford may not get as much help this week as starting running back Steven Jackson could be held out. The Rams do need a starting wide receiver now that Donnie Avery is out for the season. Look for Danny Amendola, Keenan Burton and rookie Mardy Gilyard to compete for the starting job.
Ravens are Unbeaten in the Preseason – The Ravens are one of only two unbeaten teams in the preseason with the 49ers being the other. The Ravens went unbeaten in the preseason last year and they may be able to do it again.
The Ravens and Rams have met just once in the preseason with the Rams winning 24-10 two years ago.