Yannick Ngakoue’s stint in Minnesota lasted just over a month, as he’s headed to Baltimore. Photo from @Vikings (Twitter)
- On Thursday the Baltimore Ravens acquired defensive end Yannick Ngakoue from the Minnesota Vikings
- Despite the move, Baltimore’s Super Bowl odds remain unchanged at +550
- The Ravens already were #2 in the NFL in overall defense and quarterback sacks; can Ngakoue take their defense to another level?
The Baltimore Ravens are the latest NFL team to believe that adding defensive end Yannick Ngakoue to their mix was a move that could put them over the top.
Ngakoue wasn’t a difference maker with the Minnesota Vikings and oddsmakers don’t appear to believe that he will be in Baltimore, either.
At sunrise on Thursday, the Ravens were listed as the second betting choice in the Super Bowl odds at +550 – the odds they currently sit at following the acquisition of Ngakoue.
Super Bowl 55 Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | +390 |
| Baltimore Ravens | +550 |
| Seattle Seahawks | +800 |
| Green Bay Packers | +1200 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | +1200 |
| New Orleans Saints | +1300 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +1300 |
| Los Angeles Rams | +1800 |
| Tennessee Titans | +1700 |
| Buffalo Bills | +2000 |
Odds taken Oct. 22 at FanDuel
Ngakoue and Ravens teammate Calais Campbell were the starting defensive ends for the 2017 Jacksonville Jaguars defense that led the NFL with 55 sacks.
Ngakoue’s Price Was Right
In the summer, the Vikings, a playoff team last season, acquired Ngakoue from the Jaguars for second and fifth-round draft picks. They signed him to a one-year, $12-million contract.
Off to a 1-5 start, Minnesota opted to jettison the pass rush specialist before facing the possibility of losing him for nothing as a free agent at season’s end.
The Vikings have traded Yannick Ngakoue to the Ravens in exchange for a 2021 3rd round pick and a 2022 conditional 5th round pick.
He is 1 of 4 players with 5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles this season.
BAL already ranks T-2nd in sacks (22) and 5th in pressure pct (34%) this season pic.twitter.com/Fzc3tLgpHC
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 22, 2020
The Ravens gave up a 2021 third-round pick and a 2022 conditional fifth-round pick for Ngakoue, so Minny was able to recoup most of what was paid for him.
From Baltimore’s perspective, the Ravens gave up nothing off their roster to make this trade happen. Should Ngakoue opt to leave at season’s end to pursue free agency, Baltimore would most likely be compensated with a third-round pick following his departure.
Ravens Worried About Steelers?
Football people are comparing the Ravens to the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in the race to win the AFC, but it would appear that it’s a closer-to-home rival that Baltimore had in mind when making this deal.
The 5-0 Pittsburgh Steelers lead the AFC North, a half-game ahead of the 5-1 Ravens. Pittsburgh is also just a touch better than Baltimore when it comes to defensive excellence.
Within the past year, Ravens GM Eric DeCosta has traded for Yannick Ngakoue, Marcus Peters and Calais Campbell in exchange for a total three fifth-round picks, a third-round pick and back-up LB Kenny Young.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 22, 2020
The Steelers are #1 in the NFL in total defense (4.9 yards per play) and also lead the league with 24 quarterback sacks. Baltimore is second in the NFL in total defense (5.1 YPP) and sacks (22).
In 2017, Campbell (14.5) and Ngakoue (12) accounted for 26.5 sacks with Jacksonville. Baltimore looks to be hoping for them to make magic together again.
How Much Better Did Baltimore Get?
There’s no questioning that Ngakoue is the type of talent capable of making game-changing plays. But Baltimore’s defense is stocked up with that level of talent.
It’s kind of like the US military adding another nuclear weapon to its arsenal. Would it really make them that much more dangerous than they were before?
Calais Campbell’s reaction when told of his reunion with Yannick Ngakoue:
“Dope man. That’s crazy. I know he’s pretty ecstatic. I’m surprised he didn’t blow my phone up.”
After checking phone … “He did hit me up a couple times.”
pic.twitter.com/w3X6YrGALW— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 22, 2020
Baltimore is allowing a league-low 17.3 points per game. Defense isn’t a concern for the Ravens. They’re also the #1 offense in the NFL. Baltimore averages 29.8 points per game.
The Steelers are Baltimore’s next opponent in Week 8 following a bye. Ngakoue will be making his Ravens debut in that game. Before the Ravens can get another crack at KC, they must move ahead of the Steelers.
Is Ngakoue the cherry on top that will make Baltimore’s Super Bowl Sunday delicious? A lot of people, including the oddsmakers, appear to be awaiting his Ravens debut before making that assessment.
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
source https://casinonewsblogger.com/ravens-acquire-ngakoue-dont-see-odds-to-win-super-bowl-improve/
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