ExtremeRavens Posted December 4 Posted December 4 The phrase “the bye week comes at a perfect time” is often overused by football coaches and media members. Yet, it holds truth for the Ravens. After 13 hard-fought games, Baltimore arrives at a break. It’ll be good for the Ravens physically, after 10 of their first 13 games were decided by one possession, and perhaps mentally, too. With stories about Justin Tucker’s murky future in Baltimore and Diontae Johnson’s suspension, the team could use a week away from the outside noise. They’ll return from their bye eager to make a final push to grab the AFC North lead. First, the Ravens (8-5) will face Drew Lock and the New York Giants (2-10) on Dec. 15, which feels like an on-field bye week given the state of the Giants’ franchise. With remaining games against the Giants, Steelers (9-3), Texans (8-5) and Bengals (4-8), betting oddsmakers suggest the Ravens still have a legitimate shot at the AFC North crown despite trailing the Steelers by 1 1/2 games entering Week 14. FanDuel gives Baltimore +130 odds to win the AFC North, with the Steelers holding -160 odds. “We’re right there,” coach John Harbaugh said. “We can do it.” The Giants and Bengals are a combined 5-19 on the season, and the Texans are just 1-3 against teams with winning records. While Pittsburgh has Baltimore’s number in recent seasons, the game will be played at M&T Bank Stadium in front of a supportive crowd. Finishing the season 12-5 is within the realm of possibility for the Ravens. Pittsburgh’s remaining schedule also helps Baltimore’s cause. The Steelers still face the Eagles, Ravens and Chiefs in their final five games of the season. They could be an underdog in all three of those games. While Baltimore’s players aren’t focused on their playoff path or how Pittsburgh will finish the year, Ravens fans will keep a close eye on their AFC North rival. If Pittsburgh stumbles down the stretch, the Ravens could guarantee themselves at least one home playoff game. Oddsmakers view Baltimore as the better team despite the worse winning percentage, with the Ravens holding +1000 odds to win the Super Bowl compared with Pittsburgh’s +2400. The Detroit Lions (+290) are the Super Bowl favorites on FanDuel, with the Eagles (+500), Bills (+500) and Chiefs (+550) the only other teams ahead of the Ravens in the betting market. Lamar Jackson’s MVP odds dip A large reason Baltimore is still viewed as a Super Bowl threat despite five losses is quarterback Lamar Jackson. He’s been incredible this season, throwing for 3,290 yards with 29 touchdown passes and three interceptions. He’s completing 67% of his passes, and he’s added 678 rushing yards and three scores. Jackson leads the NFL with a passer rating of 116.3 and he’s fourth in QBR at 73.4. Only Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow (30) has thrown more touchdown passes than Jackson, and the Ravens star’s rushing yardage ranks first among all NFL QBs. He’s the only player in the NFL to surpass 600 rushing yards this season despite having fewer than 120 carries — he has 111. Will it be enough to win his third MVP Award? Betting markets currently cast doubts, although Jackson was the betting favorite just a few short weeks ago. Bills quarterback Josh Allen — second in QBR and 10th in passer rating — is the betting favorite for MVP, per FanDuel. He holds -280 odds to win the award, with his 10-2 Bills in the mix to earn the AFC’s top seed. The Ravens did hand the Bills one of their two losses, though, as Jackson outplayed Allen in the 35-10 win. Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, who leads the NFL with 1,499 rushing yards, holds the second-shortest odds (+500) to win the honor. Jackson, on the other hand, is listed at +850 to win his second consecutive MVP Award. No players other than Allen, Barkley and Jackson have odds shorter than +1500 to win the prize. A strong finish from Jackson — the Ravens likely need to win the AFC North behind his arm and legs — could vault the reigning MVP over Allen, especially if Jackson keeps a statistical lead in multiple categories over his peers. There are only four games left in Jackson’s regular season, but the Ravens superstar isn’t out of the MVP race despite slipping odds. “We got the Giants coming up, I’m ready to go,” Jackson said after the Eagles loss. “I’m just ready to go, man.” Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin. View the full article Quote
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