The Baltimore Ravens enter their Monday night game against the San Francisco 49ers as underdogs. It's only the second time this season that the Ravens weren't the favored team.
Even though Baltimore sits atop the AFC at 11-3, there were members of the team who didn't like the fact that the 49ers were viewed as the team to beat.
“It makes us feel a little disrespected,” Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton told ESPN. “I feel like we are the best team in the league and we have the opportunity to show that in front of the country.”
According to BetMGM, Baltimore is a 4.5-point underdog heading into the game in San Francisco. The first time the Ravens weren't favored this season was against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2.
“[It] “It hurt my feelings a little bit,” cornerback Marlon Humphrey said of the scoring. “I was surprised to see that.” But I definitely want to do this wrong. And hopefully some people will lose some money betting with them and make some money betting with us.”
The Baltimore Ravens enter their Monday Night Football game against the San Francisco 49ers as underdogs. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Baltimore has a vision of not only winning the AFC North, but also becoming the No. 1 seed in the conference and advancing deep into the playoffs this season. And this stretch at the end of the season is absolutely crucial, as the Ravens hold a one-game lead over the Miami Dolphins as far as the top seeds are concerned.
To achieve their first goal, the Ravens must beat San Francisco on Christmas. If they can do that, Baltimore will win its first league title in four years. If they lose, the Ravens will need help from the Houston Texans. If the Texans defeat the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, the Ravens would also win the AFC North crown.
Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh actually believes some of his players aren't happy about Las Vegas doubting them. ESPN said Harbaugh smiled and acknowledged that point had “certainly been brought up” in his conversations with his players.
One player who isn't bothered by Vegas' chances is quarterback Lamar Jackson. And when you look at both “Monday Night Football” and his personal history, it's understandable why Jackson isn't worried about it.
Underdogs have won the last seven Monday night games in the NFL, which is the longest such streak in MNF history. And in Jackson's career, he has won nine of the 13 games he entered as an underdog.
Those aren't bad odds.
“I don’t want them to pick us,” Jackson told reporters Wednesday. “I like being the underdog. I think we play better when people doubt us.” [when] People don't pick us to win the game. I feel like we're playing better and better, so we'll just do it until February. That's all I ask.
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