There’s been a lot of talk about the Ravens this week, with many saying Baltimore is the best team in the AFC, if not the NFL. After a tough win in Jacksonville, the Ravens are looking like legitimate Super Bowl contenders, but they’ll have their biggest test yet on Monday Night.
It's all eyes on us‼️ pic.twitter.com/t2Ih8ZHzGL
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 19, 2023
For many (outside Dolphins fans), Baltimore and San Francisco are the two best teams in the NFL. Fans are in for a real treat on Christmas Day:
49ers and Ravens stay on top in week 16! 👀 pic.twitter.com/OO4kMoyvaD
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) December 19, 2023
Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers on Christmas night 👏 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/mVFFvjzx8n
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 19, 2023
Heading into the matchup, the Ravens will be fairly heavy underdogs in San Francisco, but there are a few stats that should be considered before making your pick:
#Ravens are 5.5-point underdogs for Monday's game at 49ers, per @ESPNBet.
It's the 2nd-largest underdog role of Jackson's 6-year career. He was a 7-point underdog at Chiefs in 2018.
Jackson is 9-4 (.692) outright as an underdog.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) December 19, 2023
Alongside these stats about Jackson, it’s also worth mentioning that the QB is 18-1 as a starter against the NFC. Baltimore will be looking for Jackson to add one more to the win column on Monday, putting up a special performance similar to the one Deebo Samuel commends him for here:
49ers WR Deebo Samuel on Ravens QB Lamar Jackson
“That man is playing out of this world right now. Real talented, strong arm, can play the game. Lamar is a guy. He has everything that you look for. Just looking at him…he’s always doing something amazing” pic.twitter.com/7Rtw1dincb
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) December 19, 2023
It’s great seeing Jackson get the respect he deserves from some sides of the media, but others continue to overlook him and his team. Joy Taylor put an end to that on Fox’s Speak on Tuesday:
In a segment supposed to be about the Bills, Joy Taylor PASSIONATELY defends the Ravens
“Do the Baltimore Ravens not exist? Can we talk about the Baltimore Ravens ever, like for 5 minutes? They’re the best team in the AFC” pic.twitter.com/RObZpSjZj2
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) December 19, 2023
In my opinion, though, it’s not a bad thing for the Ravens to be flying under the radar. We’ve seen them take the league by surprise before, and while it might be a bit harder to this year, it’s still possible. For example, were you aware of the Ravens’ 2023 record against teams currently in playoff position?
The Ravens are 7-2 against teams currently in the playoffs. In those games, the Ravens have outscored their opponents 274-149.
— STONE (@stone_2x) December 19, 2023
Many wouldn’t believe it, but it’s true! They may seem to be playing inconsistent, but Baltimore has consistently been one of the best teams in the league. Additionally, though the losses felt worse at the time, the Browns and Colts are firmly in the playoff mix, while the Steelers are somehow still in the hunt.
Speaking of the Browns, how about Joe Cool? It’s a shame he’s playing for a division rival, but I must say, he’s fun to watch right now. There’s something poetic about the story, but I personally do not want that story to reach Baltimore in the postseason.
Flacco is an experienced QB that’s playing well and has talent around him. On the other side of the ball, the have the league’s stingiest defense. In some metrics, by far:
First downs allowed this season:
1. @Browns 194
2. Chiefs 246
3. Ravens 249— Dan Murphy (@DMurph_BrownsPR) December 19, 2023
It’s nice seeing the Ravens up there with them, but considering how good KC’s and Baltimore’s defenses are, the gap after Cleveland is crazy.
Ultimately, the Ravens could end up being the talk of the league in January and February. Not only are they in a position of power themselves, but their former franchise QB is reminding the NFL of his own glory days.
Assuming they don’t meet up (and while I’d be scared, even if they do), this is going to be a fun playoff run.
