2017 Baltimore Ravens Season Win Total Picks

2016 Record: 8-8

2017 Las Vegas Season Win Total: 8.5

2017 Season Win Total Prediction: 'Over'

I was always a bit skeptical of John Harbaugh's actual coaching ability in his early seasons leading the Ravens. After all, he was gifted one of the most talented teams in the AFC and a locker room that was always stacked with excellent veteran leaders like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Derrick Mason. Now, in his 10^th season at the Ravens helm, Harbaugh faces what seems like a make-or-break year.

Baltimore has missed the postseason each of the past two years . They last time they missed the playoffs three years in a row was 1997-1999. And that stint involved a coaching change from Ted Marchibroda to Brian Billick, Harbaugh's predecessor. In between the Ravens have been one of the best and most consistent franchises in football. Since the turn of the century they have won two Super Bowls, made the playoffs in 10 of 17 years, and finished at .500 or higher in 13 of the past 17 seasons.

Is this year's Ravens team ready to reclaim its seat among the AFC's elite? The general belief is that question will be solely answered by Joe Flacco. His health is in question as he sits out the early preseason with a back injury. This comes after the 2016 season was influenced by his premature return from knee surgery. I think Flacco will be ready for Week 1 and should be better than his turnover-prone 2016.

If the Ravens want to reclaim their place at the AFC's postseason table they need to reclaim their identity. Baltimore's rushing offense was just No. 28 last year, and the defense has finished outside the Top 10 in points allowed in three of the past five years, logging in at No. 9 last year.

Baltimore has played in an almost unfathomable number of close games over the past two seasons. Twenty-one of their last 32 games have been decided by six points or less, with Baltimore winning just under half. Some of that can be pinned on Harbaugh. But some of that is just life in the NFL, where the margin for error is slim.

The Ravens have one of the most difficult schedules in football this year. They both open and close the year by playing three of four games against divisional opponents. And in between they have road games at Oakland, at Minnesota, at Tennessee and at Green Bay, all of whom I expect to compete for playoff slots this year. I do like the way this team upgraded itself in the offseason. But I don't know that they have enough depth to survive that slate.

I feel like this is one of the most difficult teams in the NFL to get a read on. But I'm going to suggest a tepid 'over' play on the Ravens. I have this team penciled in at 9-7, and I think that they can sneak over this number. It will be extremely close, and if they don't get there I wouldn't be surprised if they clean house after this season.

Ravens Regular Season Schedule (All times Eastern)

Robert Ferringo has been the top football handicapper in the country the past five years, earning nearly $14,000 in total football profit. He has also posted five of seven winning seasons (including a winning 2016-17) and Robert tallied over $20,000 in football profit between 2011 and 2016, including his amazing 2013 NFL season in which he hit 62.1 percent (95-58). Robert has produced 18 of 29 winning football months and an amazing 41 of 64 winning football months over the past decade. Robert has eight of 10 winning NFL preseasons and he is at nearly 60 percent winners over his last 800 totals picks. Also, Robert's proprietary KING College Football Betting System has posted three of five winning seasons Robert is looking to follow up a winning 2016 with more profit this fall. SIGN UP HERE TODAY AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR EARLY BIRD SPECIALS !

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