- Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has been activated from the COVID-19 reserved list.
- The Ravens are projected to win more than 10.5 games in 2021.
- If Jackson is not vaccinated, he could throw that O/U bet into jeopardy.
BALTIMORE - Ravens QB Lamar Jackson was activated from the COVID-19 reserved list on Friday after he caught COVID-19 for a second time. Jackson’s struggles with the virus highlight what could be a problem in the upcoming NFL season - virus-based absences.
Jackson has missed all of Baltimore Ravens training camp so far and missed a game in 2020 when he caught COVID-19 the first time.
Jackson’s seeming decision to avoid vaccination at this time has drawn criticism, not least from the Governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan.
“Lamar’s gotta get (vaccinated),” said Hogan. “With the rules the NFL put down, I can’t imagine a team wanting to forfeit a game or lose a chance at the playoffs and none of the players getting paid because someone won’t get a vaccine.”
Forfeits are on the table if an outbreak occurs amongst unvaccinated players during the 2021 season. For NFL bettors, the questions are along the same lines as Hogan’s critique.
What happens if the Ravens have to play a game without Lamar? What does that do to their win total O/U?
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Baltimore Ravens Wins Projection 2021-22
- Over 10.5 -180
- Under 10.5 +135
The Ravens are projected by online sportsbooks to win more than their 10.5-game over, but that could change drastically if Jackson misses a game or two.
2021 NFL MVP Odds
- Patrick Mahomes +500
- Aaron Rodgers +800
- Josh Allen +1000
- Tom Brady +1200
- Dak Prescott +1400
- Kyler Murray +1400
- Russell Wilson +1400
- Matthew Stafford +1600
- Lamar Jackson +1600
Jackson himself is a legitimate MVP candidate this year, and has won the award before, in 2019. However, the best kind of ability is availability, and if Jackson’s decisions make him unavailable, it could cost him in the MVP race.
Even his missed time in training camp could end up costing both him and the team, as the Ravens added Sammy Watkins and Rashod Bateman to boost what has been a lackluster WR corps.
Jackson’s limitations in the passing game (although over-discussed) do exist, and one imagines he could really use the practice time to develop a connection with his new targets.
It remains to be seen whether or not missing a significant portion of camp affects Jackson going into the season, but that is the least of the worries of any NFL betting fan backing the Ravens this year.
Maxwell joined the USAOnlineSportsbooks team in 2019. He focuses on creating sports betting content that informs and educates. He focuses on the NBA, the NFL, College Football and Basketball, and whatever else comes across his desk.
