Raiders vs. Ravens 2016 picks and predictions: Most experts expect Baltimore to stay perfect

The AFC North-leading Baltimore Ravens look to continue their undefeated start in Sunday’s home matchup against the Oakland Raiders.

Currently 3-0, a win would mark the Ravens’ first 4-0 start since 2006. Led by Steve McNair, Jamal Lewis, and Ray Lewis, the 2006 Baltimore squad won 13 games before losing to the Indianapolis Colts in their AFC divisional playoff matchup.

However, the Ravens’ hot start might be a bit of fools gold. According to ESPN’s FPI SOS rankings, the Ravens have played the fifth-easiest schedule through the first three weeks of the season.

Jack Del Rio’s Raiders come into the game with a 2-1 record after last week’s 17-10 victory over the Tennessee Titans. Oakland currently ranks second in both total yards per game (436) and rushing yards per game (148.3) thanks to a core group of young talent, including quarterback Derek Carr, wide receiver Amari Cooper, and running backs Latavius Murray and DeAndre Washington. The team is currently tied with Kansas City for second place in the AFC West.

Last season, the Raiders edged the Ravens in Oakland, but Baltimore holds a 6-2 series lead. The Ravens won four of the last five games against Oakland, and head coach John Harbaugh is 3-1 against the team.

Most experts think Harbaugh’s crew can stay unbeaten. CBS Sports’ eight-man panel favors the Ravens by a tally of 5-3 over Oakland. At ESPN, six out of the nine experts also picked Baltimore to win the matchup.

Here at SB Nation, staff writers see the Ravens as the clear-cut winner.

That’s nine votes for the Ravens and just one for the underdog Raiders. Baltimore will have the opportunity to prove the experts right this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, with the game airing on CBS.