Dolphins vs. Ravens Preseason Betting Odds: Public Backing Motivated Joe Flacco

Baltimore Ravens

Quarterback Alex Smith put together a career-best year in 2017 after the Chiefs lit a fire under him with the first-round selection of Patrick Mahomes — and it looks like the same could be true for Joe Flacco this year with Lamar Jackson on the sidelines.

Overall, Flacco's average of 8.9 yards per attempt far surpasses his previous preseason career-high set in 2013 (8.2), and he's managed to throw two touchdowns on only four drives. The Ravens quietly led the NFL with 31.8 points per game over the final five weeks of the 2017 season, during which time Flacco finished as the league's QB8 in fantasy.

The public seems to be all aboard the Flacco-Jackson train, with 83% of the tickets and 98% of the money backing the Ravens in a pick'em.

Miami Dolphins

The Miami Herald's Armando Salguero sent a shiver of fear down the spine of Kenyan Drake fantasy investors this past Monday when discussing the team's likely depth chart.

The Dolphins may start Frank Gore at running back and give Drake a lot of carries as the backup. Or vice versa. The point is both will play a lot and factor.

Drake has theoretical three-down ability, and his average of 4.96 yards per rush is the second-highest mark among all backs with at least 150 carries over the past two seasons. Still, the Dolphins have a crowded backfield and all signs indicate that they won't start the season featuring any one back.

See Ian's Bets for Dolphins-Ravens in Our Free App