Ravens vs. Vikings: Preview, score prediction for Week 7
By Nick Sparrow
Baltimore Ravens vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are preparing to host the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7 for the NFL season. The Vikings are coming off of a very important win over the division rival Green Bay Packers in Week 6. Before last Sunday the Vikings were in third place in the NFC North behind the Packers and Detroit Lions. Now, with their 23-10 win over the Packers and Detroit losing to the New Orleans Saints, the Vikings have sole possession of first place in the division.
Baltimore, meanwhile, coming off of a 27-24 home loss to the Chicago Bears in overtime. The Ravens are now 3-3 for the season and one game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North.
With an inter-conference battle between two North teams, who will prevail on Sunday afternoon?
Keys to Victory
The Ravens are going to need to find a way to score points against a Minnesota defense that seems like one of the best units in the NFL. On a per-game basis, the Vikings currently rank third in rushing yards allowed and fifth in total yards allowed and points scored. The Ravens, meanwhile, ranks 29th in yards gained and 24th in points scored.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
If Baltimore continues on their current path it is hard to imagine they have a ton of success in any aspect of their offense. This game could be fairly low scoring for both teams, but the pressure is definitely more on the Ravens to fix their offensive woes. The best bet for the Ravens is to try to establish a successful rushing attack early in the game in an attempt to try to tire out the Vikings defense and control the tempo of the game.
The Vikings will need to avoid turning the ball over and giving the opposing team easy points. Minnesota’s defense is truly an elite NFL unit but any defense is neutralized by offensive turnovers. In the Vikings’ 14-7 loss to the Lions in Week 4, Minnesota fumbled and lost the ball three separate times.
They have been luckier recently, as they have only lost one of their three fumbles in the last two games. They also threw an interception in that stretch. If the Vikings protect the ball it puts their defense in a much better position to hold up throughout the game and also gives the offense longer drives.
Betting Odds
Point Spread: Minnesota -6
Moneyline: Minnesota -240, Baltimore +207
Over/Under: 39.5
All betting odds provided by BookMaker via the Sportsbook Review
Next: NFL 2017: 20 Bold predictions for Week 7
Prediction
Despite Keenum remaining under center for Minnesota they certainly seem to be the better team in this matchup. The Vikings have the best defense in the league through the first six weeks of the season and with Diggs back, their offense can also be explosive. Combined with home-field advantage in Minneapolis, this game is going to incredibly difficult for Ravens.
Final Score: Minnesota Vikings: 31, Baltimore Ravens: 19