Chicago Bears vs Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens -2

Total: 35

 

We have finally reached the unofficial start of the NFL season as Week 1 of the NFL Preseason kicks off with the Hall of Fame game between the Bears and Ravens.  Baltimore is a two-point favorite here with a low game total of 35. With it being the first preseason game, we will likely only see the starters for a drive or two at best with the remainder off the game going to those players looking to earn a roster spot.  The highlight for me will be how much of Lamar Jackson we get to see for Baltimore as reports are he has looked good in camp so far which has had many wonder how much longer Joe Flacco will be the starting QB for the Ravens. These two teams played last year during the regular season with the Bears winning that game 27-24.

Players to Watch

So normally in this players to watch section we will have a breakdown of players that could impact the props provided and offer some statistical analysis of key matchups.  With this being the very first preseason game there are a handful of players that are not expected to play and those that do play could only see few snaps. It has already been stated that Jordan Howard will not play tonight which means we could see a lot of Tarik Cohen which will have fantasy players paying close attention as the diminutive pass catching back could get a shot at running the ball as well.  Seeing how Cohen is used in the passing game compared to Jordan Howard who coach Matt Nagy has said is a three-down back this preseason will be something to watch. QB Mitchell Trubisky should start for the Bears tonight and we will get our first look at him throwing to receiver Allen Robinson who the Bears signed this past offseason. Some other names worth watching during this game are Bears receiver Kevin White and Ravens receiver Breshad Perriman who are two receivers that have had a ton of hype surrounding them in years past but neither have been able to produce so far at the NFL level.  Both receivers could be on the chopping block this training camp.

Pre Game Props

Q1) The last non-kneeling offensive play of the 1st Quarter is a running play.

I am going to go with YES for this prop as I can see the play that runs out the clock during the first quarter come via handoff. Both teams have solid running games and though they will be looking to improve upon their passing attacks this preseason I think a running play ends the quarter.

Q2) Chicago outscores Baltimore in the 1st Quarter

Vegas has Baltimore as a two-point favorite in this one and with word that Jordan Howard is not going to play at all tonight, it lends me to think that Baltimore could have the advantage and therefore I will go with NO for this prop.

Q3) Either team scored 10 or more points in the 1st Quarter

I am going to go with YES for this prop.  I do believe that one team will score twice in the first quarter of this game.  I find that offense tends to play up a little more than defense in preseason games and think that could hold true tonight.

Q4) The first offensive play of the 1st Quarter gains five or more yards

I am going to go with NO for this prop.  I can see a handoff being the first play of the game and that the running back is held for less than five yards.

Q5) Assuming an attempt is made, the kickoff is returned beyond the 25-yard line.  

I am going to go with NO for this prop.  For the most part the league has tried to eliminate kick returns from the game and in the event that teams do return the kick-off it is rare that it gets out past the 25-yard line.