As we review the Ravens AFC North Betting Odds for 2008 we can see clearly from past years performance the Baltimore Ravens are a defensive team, and one of the best in the NFL.  What needs to happen is to get the offense rolling and it all falls on QB Kyle Boller if they want to win the AFC North division and make a run at the NFL playoffs.

Last year was another dismal year for the offense and it finally cost Coach Brian Billick his job.  He coached Baltimore for nine seasons and now they replace him with Coach John Harbaugh.  He is all about mental and physical toughness.  I think this will help this team become more consistent than it has been.  The offensive line should be stronger since they played many guys last year.  The AFC North Betting Odds at Sportsbook.com currently have the Baltimore Ravens 70/1 to win the 2009 Superbowl.

The Ravens have needed a new quarterback for the last three seasons, Coach John Harbaugh believes in his former QB Kyle Boller.  He said he would open up the starting job for any of his QB's to win, but most likely it will go to Boller because of his experience with the team.  Boller is now 26, a former first-round pick by the Ravens, has an 18-21 record as a starter.  Most of those wins came from the defensive making plays for him to win games.  The Ravens also could start Joe Flacco if Boller is not getting it done.  They drafted Flacco, and it's apparent they plan on giving him the key to being a franchise player some day.  The Ravens have learned their lesson after rushing Boller in 2003 and likely will give Flacco a little time to develop to the NFL System.  The AFC North Betting Odds at Sportsbook.com currently have the Baltimore Ravens 40/1 to win the 2009 AFC Championship.

The face of this franchise is clearly linebacker Ray Lewis.  He should have a spectacular year as this is the final year of his contract.  He wants to get paid so he is going to have a great year looking for that big pay day at the end of the season.  But the Ravens will out bid teams at the end of the season if Lewis shows he is still among the game top linebackers.  Running back Willis McGahee had a great season last year and proved all the critics wrong, he became a major contributor on both sides of the ball rushing and receiving.  He was learning a new offense last season but adapt quickly.  They also drafted top runningback Ray Rice who became Rutgers all-time leading rusher with 4, 926 yards and 49 touchdowns.  Rice is a powerful runner averaged 151 yards per game against top 10 teams last season.  They will be pounding the ball all season long with the running game.

View NFL AFC North Betting Odds at OnlineSportsHandicapping.com before you bet on bet on NFL Football at Sportsbook.com

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