We are back to the Monday Night Football double header in Week 7, and this will be the last time we get this until week 15. First up, the Ravens and Bucs kick things off in Tampa, with both teams looking to win their 5thgame of the season. This should be a quality contest between two teams currently leading their divisions. Kicking off 45 minutes later is a matchup between the 3-2 Los Angeles Chargers, and the 2-4 Arizona Cardinals. A loss here for the home team will make things difficult moving forward, whilst the Chargers look to continue their winning form. We bring you our best bets for both games below!
NFL 2024-25: MNF Double Header Preview & Betting Tips
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Baltimore Ravens
Raymond James Stadium, Tuesday 22nd October, 11:15am (AEDT)
Last Week
The Bucs were involved in an insane game last weekend, getting by the Saints 51-27 on the road. The road side shot out of the gate, leading 17-0 at the end of the first quarter after a fumble recovery by the Bucs turned into a touchdown, adding to a first drive touchdown to make the game apparently over early. The Bucs, however, allowed the Saints back into the game with some poor errors. First, the Bucs allowed a 46-yard Rashid Shaheed punt return touchdown, before Mayfield threw picks on consecutive drives, which allowed the Saints to take a 20-17 lead. A 27-point second quarter had the Saints leading 27-24, however it was all Bucs in the second half. Mayfield threw for 325 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions, whilst the Bucs ran for a total of 277 yards.
The Ravens, meanwhile, faced much stiffer competition last week, hosting the red-hot Washington Commanders as 7-point home favourites. Whilst the Ravens ended up winning by 7, they were far better than the final result indicated, dominating the Commanders. The Ravens’ offense is the best in the NFL right now, and with a pass funnel defence the Bucs are going to have to lean heavily on Mayfield this week to get a win. Lamar was awesome last week, throwing for 323 yards and a touchdown, and rushing for 40 yards. But it was once again Derrick Henry who stole the show, rushing for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns. Good luck stopping this offense.
Match Preview
The Ravens have won the last five matchups between these teams, with the most recent being played in week 8 of the 2022 season. In the final season of the Tom Brady experience, the Ravens got the better of the home side 27-22, with Lamar throwing for 238 yards and two touchdowns. Mike Evans dominated for the Bucs, catching 6 balls for 123 yards, but it wasn’t enough for the home side.
The Ravens were a solid 4.5-point favourite on the lookahead line, before re-opening at -4 after last week’s games. Bucs money quickly came into the market, pushing the line down to Ravens -3.5 early in the week, where it has stayed. I make the Ravens a 3.5-point favourite as well, however I like the Ravens in this spot to cover the 3.5. The Ravens record against the NFC is well publicised, and it’s easy to see why NFC teams struggle against the Ravens, as they don’t get to see this offense every season. The Ravens showed two years ago they can run on the Bucs defence, which is by far the better aspect of the defence. Also, the fact Spencer Rattler looked somewhat serviceable against this Bucs defence last week should speak volumes about that side of the ball for the Bucs, as Rattler was horrible on Thursday Night Football against the Broncos. I think the Ravens can win this with margin.
As for the total, it opened 47.5 last week on the lookahead, before re-opening at 50 on Monday. It has been bet down slightly to 49, and if it went any lower, I’d bet the over. I make a fair total here 50.5, with my main concern being the Ravens shutting the Bucs offense down after going up early. The Bucs, though, have shown they are willing to throw the ball and are capable of putting up points in bunches. Very heavy lean to the over here, but I prefer the side in this game.
As for a prop bet, I like two in this matchup. I can see both teams attacking through the air in this matchup, and like the overs on two wide receivers who have looked extremely good this season. First up, for the Bucs, I like Chris Godwin to go over 73.5 receiving yards. Godwin has averaged 85 yards per game, and with this Ravens team being a pass funnel defence, Godwin should easily get this.
Secondly, we will ride the hot hand with Zay Flowers. Whilst his current prop sits at 62.5 receiving yards, we will pop that up to 70+ for more value. Flowers has been boom or bust this season, with three games over 90 yards, and two under 20 yards. We will go with another boom game this week, and would even suggest climbing some ladders with Flowers this week in the alt receiving yards markets.
Prop Bets
Chris Godwin (over) 73.5 receiving yards - $1.90 at Bet365 (1.5u)
Zay Flowers (70+) receiving yards - $2.35 at Dabble (1u)
Ravens -3.5
$1.93 (1.5 Units)
Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Chargers
State Farm Stadium, Tuesday 22nd October, 12:00pm (AEDT)
Last Week
The Cardinals were completely outclassed last week, going down 34-13 to the Packers at Lambeau Field. The Packers led 24-0 before the Cardinals finally put some points on the board shortly before halftime. A fourth Jordan Love touchdown pass late in the third quarter put the result beyond doubt, as the Packers led 31-13. Three turnovers from the Cardinals didn’t help, as they now drop to 2-4. The Cardinals defence were forced to be on the field for close to 37 minutes in the game, and this seems to be a theme. That side of the ball is starting to show the cumulative fatigue, with several key injuries to the defence.
The Chargers came back from the bye and looked extremely professional in their 23-16 road victory over the Broncos. The Chargers shot out of the gate, leading 20-0 at halftime, before allowing 16 garbage time points in the fourth quarter to the Broncos, to make the result appear far closer than it was. The Chargers were led by J.K. Dobbins, who was their workhorse, running for 96 yards and a touchdown. With his two starting tackles back from injury, Justin Herbert was kept relatively clean in the pocket, and was efficient throughout, throwing for 237 yards and a touchdown.
Match Preview
The Chargers and Cardinals last met during the 2022 NFL season, with the Cardinals hosting the Chargers in week 12. In what proved to be a cracking game, the Chargers managed to get the win 25-24, after a last second two-point conversion, after an Austin Ekeler touchdown got them home. Despite both teams having the same quarterback as this clash, I don’t take much from the result, given the myriad of changes elsewhere from both teams, most notably at the Head Coach position.
The Cardinals opened short 1-point favourites on the lookahead line, before the favourite flipped on the re-open, as the Chargers were pushed out to a 2.5-point favourite. Some Cardinals money has slowly crept into the market; however, the Chargers still sit as 2-point favourites, which is my number for this game. I would lean towards the Chargers covering the spread here, and with the record of road favourites this season against the spread (22-10-1), it seems like a good bet to make.
The total opened 43 on the lookahead and has slowly been going up since. Re-opening at 43.5, overs money continued pushing the total to 44, however there are some 43.5’s still out there. If you can find a 43.5, I suggest taking it. My fair total for this game is 45.5, and if you can get a number on the other side of the key number off 44, I say take it. The Cardinals concede plenty of points (27.1ppg), but they are also scoring at a decent clip (22.1ppg). Whilst the Chargers offense hasn’t exactly been explosive, the signs are there that this could be a breakout performance for them. They threw the ball far more last week, and with their two-star tackles back on the offensive line, I like the Chargers to get to 24+ here, which should greatly assist in cashing this over.
As for a prop bet, I like Cardinals’ tight end Trey McBride to go over his receiving yards prop (50.5). McBride has averaged 7.5 targets, 5.6 receptions, and 54.2 yards per game. With WR1 Marvin Harrison Jr coming into the game under a concussion cloud (will play), the game plan all week has surely revolved around McBride. The Chargers are a slightly below average defence against opposing tight ends, and McBride should get over this number if his targets remain near his average.
Prop Bet
Trey McBride (50+) receiving yards - $1.92 at SlamBet (1u)
Over 43.5 Points
$1.85 (2 Units)
