Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season concludes with a matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Las Vegas Raiders on “Monday Night Football.” Once sizable betting favorites, the Ravens are potentially vulnerable to an upset in light of several injuries.

When the schedule was first released in May, Baltimore was favored by five points in Las Vegas. Heading into the opening weekend, the betting line is down to 3.5 points at FanDuel Sportsbook.

All three of the Ravens’ top running backs suffered season-ending injuries this summer. J.K. Dobbins tore his ACL in the preseason. Justice Hill and Gus Edwards got hurt within the last week.

The biggest loss comes on the defensive side of the ball. Three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Peters is also done for the year with a torn ACL.

What do all of these injuries mean for Monday’s game? Both teams have the chance to put up a lot of points and push the final score over the betting total is 50.5.

Coming off his best NFL season, Derek Carr can take advantage of a weakened Baltimore secondary. The Raiders scored at least 25 points in eight of their final nine games last season. There are questions about the Ravens’ pass rush with the departure of sack-leader Matt Judon.

For Baltimore, it probably doesn’t matter much which running back is getting most of the carries. As long as Lamar Jackson is under center against a bad Raiders’ defense, the Ravens should march up and down the field.

The Ravens have scored 31.9 points per game in Jackson’s 30 starts over the last two seasons. Against 2020 playoff teams, the Raiders surrendered 32.3 points per contest.

John Harbaugh is one of the NFL’s best coaches and always has his teams prepared to start the season. Baltimore has won five straight season openers. In their last three Week 1 matchups, the Ravens have won by an average score of 48-6.

Monday’s game won’t be as one-sided, but Baltimore should continue its Week 1 winning streak.

Prediction: Baltimore over Las Vegas, 30-23

Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 28, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. Rob Carr/Getty Images
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