NFL Picks – Young Stud Quarterbacks Featured as Falcons Host Ravens on Thursday Night

If you were to think of the most exciting quarterbacks to enter the NFL in the last five years, chances are that your NFL picks would include Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan.

It just so happens that these two will meet in the inaugural Thursday night game of the NFL betting season. The Baltimore Ravens currently sit atop the AFC North standings while the Falcons are first in the NFC South.

Here is BetOnline.com’s resident Ravens expert Ariana with her NFL Betting take:

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BALTIMORE RAVENS (6-2) vs. ATLANTA FALCONS (6-2)

Thursday, November 11, 8:20 PM ET

Georgia Dome, Atlanta Georgia

Broadcast: NFL Network

NFL Picks Odds:

Baltimore: +1 (-110)

Atlanta: -1 (-110)

Moneyline: Off

Total: 43 points

With an emerging offense and a daunting defense, the Baltimore Ravens are many experts NFL Pick to represent the AFC at the Super Bowl this year. The team is clicking on all cylinders right now and will be a difficult test for any team that they match up with going forward.

Baltimore’s offense currently has the 15th ranked passing game and the 11th ranked running game. They have scored an average of 21.88 points per game this season which is good for 15th in the NFL.

All of these stats are a tad misleading however. In the last four games, they have been averaging 28.5 points per game and nearly 400 yards of offense in those games. Quarterback Joe Flacco has not been under 250 yards passing in his last three games and has tossed seven touchdowns and zero interceptions over that span. Ray Rice is heating up – running hard and catching the ball out of the backfield as well. The only question is whether or not this offense is peaking too early.

The Baltimore defense has been stout, although the numbers don’t really reflect that notion. They are ranked ninth against the pass (206 yards per game) and 13th versus the run (104.75 yards per game). Again, the starts may be a tad misleading – the Ravens have held six of their eight opponents this season under 17 points and have recently been bolstered by the return of defensive Stud Ed Reed.

The Atlanta Falcons are another team that has strung together an impressive run and have emerged as many’s underdog NFL Picks to go deep into the playoffs this season. They, like the Ravens have a good, well balanced offense and a good defense.

Atlanta currently owns the 11th ranked passing offense in the NFL, and it boasts three Pro Bowl caliber players. Matt Ryan has been great this season and so has Roddy White who is currently second in the NFL with 58 catches and 196 yards. Add in Tony Gonzalez and you have an excellent passing offense.

The running game (ranked 6th in the league) has been equally impressive. Michael Turner has remained healthy all season (nice change) and has been over 100 yards in two consecutive games and in four of his last six.

Atlanta’s defense has been somewhat vulnerable versus the pass this season ranking 26th and giving up an average of 250.5 yards per game through the air. The run defense has been stellar however. They are ranked 6th (95.88 yards per game) and they have held three of their last five opponents to under 85 yards on the ground.

NFL Picks Outlook:

Baltimore is 5-1 SU in their last six games but is just 3-4-2 ATS in their last nine on the road. The Ravens are 6-2 SU in their last eight games versus Atlanta and are 3-1-2 ATS in their last six games as road underdogs.

Atlanta is 6-1 SU in their last seven games and 5-0 SU in their last five at home. However, Atlanta is just 2-6 SU versus Baltimore in their last eight games and is 0-5 ATS in their last five against the Ravens. Atlanta is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games as home favorite.

The Atlanta Falcons are money at home. With Matt Ryan at quarterback, the Falcons are 17-1 in their last 18 games, including 13 straight wins. Still, I think that the streak ends Sunday. Baltimore is at the top of their game right now. Both teams are very equally matched but I like the Baltimore defense a little bit more that the Falcons. It will likely be the best game of the weekend and it takes place on Thursday!

NFL Picks: Baltimore Ravens +1