Monday Night Football Open Thread: Ravens-Buccaneers and Chargers-Cardinals

We have two Monday Night Football games tonight. One that, more importantly, the entire country will see and one that only NFC West/AFC West fans will like (that means you, San Francisco 49ers fans). The Baltimore Ravens take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Los Angeles Chargers travel to face the Arizona Cardinals. Guess which one everyone will see.

Ravens Buccaneers

The Ravens are coming off a great win over the Washington Commanders last week and are on a four-game winning streak. Next up are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Ravens have had a problem shutting down their opponents (my man, imagine that), but they find a way to take care of their business before things get out of hand. Their secondary has been a problem all season and is one of the reasons teams can come back with flying colors in the 4th quarter. I may never understand the prevention defense.

The Buccaneers surprise. They have victories over the Commanders, Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles, but lost to the Broncos and Falcons. They definitely look like a team no one wants to face right now. Their defense is struggling a bit and has issues on 3rd downs (which we know a lot about as 49ers fans).

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Ravens have a lead of 3.5 points. The Ravens have covered the spread in the last four games and I think they can do it here. Take the ravens. The Buccaneers are a good team, but their third-place woes cannot be ignored.

Also, set the over at 49.5 points. I think the Ravens get up early, the secondary starts to fail, and then we’re over 50 points before this is over.

Chargers Cardinals

Fans of Jim Harbaugh should be happy to see the former 49ers coach in prime time. The Chargers are 3-2, and all against the scum of the league. They managed to beat the Denver Broncos, whose defense is real. Furthermore, they were in the middle of the journey.

The cardinals are the cardinals. I don’t know what they are, and I don’t think they know either. They have victories over the 49ers and the Rams. Outside the division they lose to a good team.

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Chargers have a 1.5 point lead. Take the chargers. The Cardinals can’t beat any team that isn’t in the NFC West, and it won’t look good if they lose to them either. Until proven otherwise, this spread can be covered.