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Predictions

Baltimore Ravens at Minnesota Vikings

By Bush StaffUpdated 6h ago·2 min read
Baltimore RavensBAL(1-0 PRE)
Minnesota VikingsMIN(1-0 PRE)
AT
12:00 PM CT
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Ravens(1-0 PRE)
WLWLW
Vikings(1-0 PRE)
WWWWW
Best BetVikings -150

Backups will be all over the box score, but Minnesota's still the side worth trusting here. Kevin O'Connell's reserves already looked buttoned-up in their own preseason-opening win, and that continuity plus staying home in the dome works in the Vikings' favor even with Murray and McCarthy sharing clipboard duty.

Ravens
  • Preseason opener win, 24-7 over the Eagles
  • Huntley efficient in limited look, 6-of-7 passing
  • Jackson, Henry, Flowers, Hamilton all sitting again
  • Starting center Pinter out for the season, OL shuffled
Vikings
  • Won 5 straight dating back through last season
  • Own preseason opener was a tidy 13-10 win
  • Murray also held out, backups again carry the offense
  • Tiernan among names banged up entering this one

Neither team is bringing anyone recognizable under center for this one. Jesse Minter has already ruled out Lamar Jackson for a second straight week, along with Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers and Kyle Hamilton, meaning Tyler Huntley gets another rep-heavy afternoon after completing 6 of 7 passes in the preseason opener. Minnesota counters without either half of its offseason quarterback battle — Kyler Murray, who won the job over J.J. McCarthy, isn't expected to suit up, so McCarthy likely gets the start in a building he knows well.

The joint practices in Eagan this week gave both sides a longer look at each other than a normal preseason opponent would, and it showed up fastest along Baltimore's offensive line — center Danny Pinter tore his patella tendon during Wednesday's session, pushing Ethan Pocic into the starting job just days before kickoff. Minnesota's own line is trending the other way, with Christian Darrisaw further removed from the knee trouble that cost him time each of the last two seasons, even if Caleb Tiernan's questionable tag is a reminder that group is still being pieced together.

None of that changes what this game actually is: a dress rehearsal for roster cuts, not a preview of Week 1. Rashod Bateman's situation — he's facing 3 charges tied to a June domestic incident — hangs over the Ravens' receiver room regardless of what happens on the field Saturday, and it's the kind of story that outlasts any preseason scoreline.

Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
(1-0 PRE)
Aug 15Wvs EaglesPre24-7
Jan 5L@ Steelers24-26
Dec 28W@ Packers41-24
Dec 22Lvs Patriots24-28
Dec 14W@ Bengals24-0
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
(1-0 PRE)
Aug 15W@ GiantsPre13-10
Jan 4Wvs Packers16-3
Dec 25Wvs Lions23-10
Dec 21W@ Giants16-13
Dec 15W@ Cowboys34-26

Minnesota's form card tells the real story: they've won 5 straight, a streak that runs from last season's finish right through their preseason opener over the Giants. That kind of continuity matters more for a backup-laden roster than star power does — familiarity with the offense covers for a lot when the actual QB1 isn't the one throwing it.

Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
(8)
  • DoubtfulDanny Pinter (C) — Pinter tore his patella tendon during a joint session against Minnesota on Wednesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.08/21
  • QuestionableDayton Wade (WR)
  • QuestionableAeneas Peebles (DT)
  • QuestionableJay Higgins IV (LB)
  • QuestionableRasheen Ali (RB)
  • QuestionableTeddye Buchanan (LB)
  • Injured ReserveJahquez Robinson (S) — Robinson (undisclosed) reverted to the Ravens' injured reserve list Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.08/20
  • Injured ReserveSkylar Thompson (QB) — ir08/19
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
(4)
  • QuestionableCaleb Tiernan (OT)
  • QuestionableJakobe Thomas (S)
  • QuestionableMax Brosmer (QB)
  • Injured ReserveJamal Adams (LB) — ir08/19

Kickoff is set for 12:00 PM CT at U.S. Bank Stadium, sunny and 77 degrees outside a dome where it won't matter either way. Whatever the scoreboard says, both coaching staffs will spend more time watching how their backups protect the football than who actually wins the game.

Sources

NFLBaltimore RavensMinnesota VikingsPolymarketKalshi