NFL Week 5 Picks: Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs
Sunday, 10/7/12, 1:00 PM EST, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: Baltimore -6.5
Current Betting Line: Baltimore -6
Opening Total: 46.5
Current Total: 46.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Baltimore Ravens are a touch matchup for the Kansas City Chiefs

Baltimore hits the road for just the second time this season, as it comes off a 23-16 win over the Cleveland Browns as 11.5-point home favorites, while going UNDER the total for the first time in four games. The Ravens may put forth a dominant performance in this particular affair, considering it got a few extra days rest after playing their first four games in 18 days. “I know a lot of guys out there were fighting fatigue,” stated Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis. Baltimore is 3-0 ATS on the road with a total of 45.5 to 49, but has lost two of those three games in straight-up fashion.

The Ravens are tied with the Bengals atop the AFC North division, as they’ve been explosive offensively inside M&T Bank Stadium, averaging 32.7 points and 457.0 yards per game. Baltimore gained a season-low 325 yards in its lone road contest against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 16. The franchise has won and covered the last three meetings in the series since 2006, including a 30-7 win as three-point road favorites on Jan. 9, 2011, which happened to be a playoff game.

Kansas City has failed to win or cover the spread in two opportunities as a home underdog already during the 2012 NFL campaign, including a 37-20 loss to the San Diego Chargers last week. The Chiefs are dealing with numerous injuries in the secondary, which may cause a long day on the defensive side of the football, considering the Ravens throw the ball 63 percent of the time. “They have all those weapons,” stated Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel. Kansas City is 0-4 ATS off a home loss of 10 or more points the last two-plus seasons.

The Chiefs must take better care of the football to potentially earn the upset in this spot, coming in with a league-high 15 turnovers. Kansas City’s dominance inside Arrowhead Stadium can certainly be questioned, losing six of its last seven tries inside the historic venue. Running back Jamaal Charles needs to get his touches in the backfield, but will be challenged to put up great numbers, considering the opposing defense is allowing just 2.4 yards per carry in the last two games.