The Ravens and Titans are opening Sunday’s action with another London contest. The game’s spread is slight, and both teams are top-heavy. However, each squad has a few intriguing low-salaried players. This primer will narrow the player pool to a manageable number and provide roster-construction suggestions.
Game: Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans
Spread: BAL -4.5
Over/Under: 42.0 Points
Ravens Analysis: The Ravens haven't seamlessly transitioned from former offensive coordinator Greg Roman's offense to Todd Monken's. Still, they've also dealt with injuries and scored at least 25 points three times this year.
Lamar Jackson is still the headliner in the offense, beating teams with his arm and legs. Jackson's averaging 206.0 passing yards per game and 53.0 rushing yards per game, producing four passing touchdowns and four rushing scores.
Despite the offseason buzz about the Ravens opening up the offense, it hasn't happened. According to RotoViz's pace app, the Ravens are tied for the highest rush rate (50%) in neutral game scripts. Yet, there are reasons for optimism about them passing more frequently this week. First, for only the third time this year, all of Baltimore's primary pass-catching weapons are healthy. Second, Tennessee's opponents have passed on 59% of their plays in a neutral game script this year. So, Jackson might fling the pigskin this week, elevating his floor and ceiling.
Mark Andrews and Zay Flowers are the top options in Baltimore's passing attack by a wide margin. The former leads the team in touchdown receptions (three) and is second in receptions per game (5.0) and receiving yards per game (56.3). Flowers hasn't reached paydirt yet. However, he's pacing the Ravens in receptions per game (5.8) and receiving yards per game (63.4). The explosive rookie has also carried the ball five times for 11 yards.
Rashod Bateman has struggled mightily this year. Nevertheless, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), he ran 37 routes and had six targets on them in Baltimore's only two contests (Week 2 and Week 5) in which Andrews, Flowers, Odell Beckham, Nelson Agholor and Bateman were active. OBJ and Agholor are overpriced at DK for their contributions, leaving Bateman as a viable punt, albeit an unexciting one.
Keaton Mitchell fully practiced this week and could make his season debut after opening the year on the Injured Reserve (IR). Mitchell was an undrafted free agent after this year's draft. He's undersized, speedy and elusive, which is a theme for a pair of rookie running backs who've enjoyed varying degrees of success this year.
Mitchell flashed some potential in the preseason. According to PFF, Mitchell toted the rock seven times for 42 yards and three missed tackles forced. He also had two receptions for 15 yards on three targets and 15 routes. The rookie was also productive at East Carolina, eclipsing 1,100 rushing yards in his final two collegiate seasons, culminating with 1,452 rushing yards, 7.2 yards per carry, 14 rushing touchdowns, 27 receptions, 250 receiving yards and one touchdown reception in 2022. Mitchell is an intriguing punt at both DFS providers and doesn't need more than a few touches to reward gamers who take a chance on him.
Titans Analysis: Derrick Henry hasn't run wild every week, falling short of 50 rushing yards twice. Still, he's had at least 95 scrimmage yards in three games and erupted for 122 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, one reception, 11 receiving yards and a two-yard touchdown pass in Week 5, proving he still has blow-up potential in his range of outcomes. The bulldozer running back isn't a must-use player, but his ceiling is worth mixing into some rosters.
Interestingly, Tennessee has opened up the offense this year, passing on 59% of their 224 plays in a neutral game script this season. Sadly, Ryan Tannehill has been sloppy so far this year, throwing just two touchdowns versus five interceptions. The veteran quarterback has also averaged 210.4 passing yards per game and rushed for 8.0 yards per game and one touchdown. Even with Tannehill's shortcomings, he's a viable option on this slate.
DeAndre Hopkins is the alpha in the passing attack and had a vintage showing last week, trouncing the Colts for eight receptions and 140 receiving yards on 11 targets. He's reached double-digit targets twice and cleared 60 yards three times this season.
Treylon Burks is out, bumping Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Chris Moore and Kyle Philips up the pecking order. Westbrook-Ikhine has reached at least 22 routes weekly this year and hauled in at least three receptions three times, bested 50 receiving yards twice and reached the end zone in two games. He's the top option from the trio of wideouts behind Nuk.
Moore might seem like an enticing pick, but he's a lousy stylistic fit for this matchup. According to PFF, Moore has a 25.5-yard average depth of target (aDOT) and six of his eight targets have traveled at least 20 air yards this year. However, the Ravens have snuffed out deep passes (20-plus air yards, holding their opponents to just four completions on 16 attempts for 121 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Instead, Philips is a more inviting choice. The second-year slot wideout ran 14 routes but had zero contributions to the box score last week. Maybe he'll be sharper this week after knocking the rust off in Week 5.
Final Thoughts: Jackson is the top Captain/MVP. King Henry has a ceiling befitting the gig, and Flowers is a nifty pivot in GPPs from the chalkier Jackson and Henry.
I prefer balanced lineups on this slate, but onslaught or slightly Ravens-tilting lineups are also strong construction choices.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
