Colts vs. Ravens Predictions, Picks & Odds Week 3: Can Baltimore's Flying Start Continue?

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22 September 2023

Colts vs. Ravens Predictions, Picks & Odds Week 3: Can Baltimore's Flying Start Continue?

Our top Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens predictions are based on thebest NFL odds as Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has hi team off to an unbeaten start this NFL season. Can he upstage Colts QB Gardner Minshew in Charm City?

The Baltimore Ravens are one of two AFC teams with a2-0 record. The Indianapolis Colts haven’t beaten the Ravens on the road since a 17-15victory in 2009. Includingthe playoffs, the Ravens won five of their last six meetings with theColts dating back to 2011.

Indianapolis comes to town off a division win but its 31-20 victory against the Houston Texans came at a cost. Exciting rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson left the contest with a concussion. The 21-year-old is out for this matchup, meaning Gardner Minshew's steadyhands will head the Colts’ offense.

To round out your NFL best bets for Week 3, here is our best Indianapolis Colts vs. BaltimoreRavens prediction and NFL picks (odds via our best NFL betting sites; pick confidence based on a1-to-5-star scale).

Colts vs. Ravens prediction

Lamar Jackson Over 1.5touchdown passes (+125 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐

Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson led the Ravens to an impressive27-24 road win over their AFC North rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, last week.Jackson threw for 237 yards and two touchdowns.

Under new offensive coordinator, Todd Monken, Jackson has completed74.5% of his passes this season. This is his third year with a 70-plus completionpercentage over the team's first two games (also 2019 and 2020). BeforeJackson, no Ravens QB ever completed at least 70% of his passes overthe season's first two matchups.

Ravens tight end Mark Andrews returned in Week2 after missing the season opener due to injury. Andrews found theend zone for a score last Sunday, so did wideout Nelson Agholor, who led the team inreceiving yards (63). That was one more than rookie receiver Zay Flowers.

Flowers, a first-round draft pick, leads the Ravenswith 140 receiving yards, second most among NFL rookies (Puka Nacua, 266). Theonly Ravens player with more receiving yards over his first two career NFL gameswas Marquise Brown in 2019 (233).

The Colts gave up multiple receiving TDs in each of their first two games, including against HoustonTexans rookie QB C.J. Stroud. Against a potent Ravens' offense at home,bet on Indy’s defensive streak to continue.

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Colts vs. Ravens best odds

So much is centered around Baltimore’s run gamethat its passing offense is easily overlooked. However, Monken had Jacksonoperating efficiently as a passer against elite opposition last week. Jackson hasoptions at receiver, a position bolstered by Flowers. Against a Colts' defense that gives up an average of tworeceiving touchdowns per game this season, the positive odds on this play give usan excellent return on investment.

There’s a variance from bet365, which offers +125, and FanDuel (-106), so shop around for this play.

Colts vs. Ravens odds

The Colts are +8.5 road underdogs. The line increased since Minshew was confirmed as Sunday’s starter. Get the Ravens to cover at -8 via DraftKings, who offer -108 for theplay.

The total is set at 44 points. With Minshewplaying, anything can happen. He doesn’t have Richardson's rushing capabilities, but operates as an efficient passer.