In Baltimore’s highly anticipated Monday night clash against the San Francisco 49ers, the Ravens find themselves as underdogs for only the second time this season, a status that doesn’t sit well with some within the team. Despite boasting one of the best records in the NFL, the Ravens are perceived as less likely to win by oddsmakers.
Expressing their discontent, Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton remarked, “We feel a little disrespected by that. I feel like we are the best team in the league, and we have an opportunity in front of the country to show it.”
According to ESPN BET, the Ravens (11-3) are facing a 5.5-point underdog status against the 49ers (11-3). This marks the second-largest underdog role in quarterback Lamar Jackson’s six-year career, with the previous instance occurring in a 2018 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, where the Ravens lost.
Contrary to the odds, Jackson welcomes the underdog label, stating, “I don’t want them to pick us. I like being the underdog. I believe we play better when we’re doubted and [when] people aren’t choosing us to win the game. I feel like we play better all the time, so just do it all the way to February. That’s all I ask.”
The magnitude of the point spread against San Francisco surprised Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who expressed a desire to prove it wrong. “I was surprised to see that,” Humphrey said. “But I definitely want to make that incorrect for sure. And hopefully, some people lose some money betting with them and make some money betting with us.”
Throughout his career, Jackson has been favored in the majority of his regular-season starts, but he holds an impressive 9-4 record outright as an underdog.
Middle linebacker Roquan Smith echoed the team’s confidence, stating, “I’m betting on us 10 out of 10 times. I don’t really care too much about others’ opinions.”
Interestingly, the past seven games on “Monday Night Football” have seen underdogs emerge victorious, marking the longest streak of underdogs winning outright in the history of the program, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
When asked if the underdog status will be used in his messaging to the players, Ravens coach John Harbaugh acknowledged, “It was mentioned, sure.”
With a one-game lead over the Miami Dolphins (10-4) for the No. 1 seed in the AFC, the Ravens have the opportunity to clinch their first AFC North title in four years with a win against the 49ers and a loss or tie by the Cleveland Browns, who are playing against the Houston Texans.
