NFL Week 1 Picks: Baltimore Ravens vs. Denver Broncos

Baltimore Ravens vs. Denver Broncos
Thursday, 9/5/13, 8:30 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Denver -8.5
Current Betting Line: Denver -7
Opening Total: 47
Current Total: 47.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Preview — Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco was tremendous in last year’s playoffs

Baltimore is the only team in the NFL to earn a playoff berth in each of the last five seasons, as it opens up its 2013 campaign as the defending Super Bowl champions. The Ravens have soared to a 63-30 overall record under head coach John Harbaugh, including a 5-0 mark in season openers, which can’t be ignored when looking over the NFL betting lines Thursday night. “We are relentless in our pursuit to improve in everything we do,” commented Harbaugh during the offseason. Baltimore is 7-4 ATS as underdogs over the last two-plus seasons, with the OVER going 6-4-1 in that situation.

The Ravens will be led defensively by the play of linebackers Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs, who have combined for 148 sacks and 427 quarterback hurries in their careers. Baltimore ranked 17th in the league in total defense a season ago, while the offense led by quarterback Joe Flacco sat behind 15 other teams in total yards gained. He signed a $120.6 million contract during the offseason, which was validated by throwing 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions during last year’s playoffs.

Denver is coming off a 13-3 campaign that helped it earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs, but it suffered a 38-35 overtime loss to Baltimore as 9.5-point home favorites in the divisional round. The Broncos split their four preseason games, but were outscored by a 104-71 margin, which is important to consider when making your NFL picks. The franchise has compiled a 33-19-1 all-time record in season openers, including a 6-4 mark in its last 10 contests in that situation. Denver is 7-1 ATS as favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points since 2011.

The Broncos have gone 42-20 in 62 games played in the first month of a season during the past 17 years, including a 2-2 record with quarterback Peyton Manning in his first year in the Mile High City. Denver is also a dominating 25-4 in home openers during the Pat Bowlen era—the best record in the NFL over that span.