Christmas Night will provide us with one of the most anticipated matchups of the NFL season when the 11-3 Baltimore Ravens visit the 11-3 San Francisco 49ers.
Both teams are leading their conference and considering how wide-open the AFC is this year, this may be a Super Bowl preview.
As far as the spread is concerned, it’s not too surprising that the Niners are currently a 5.5-point favorite … Besides being the home team, San Francisco has proven to be the best team in the league and the clear-cut Super Bowl favorites.
However, we all know there are very few things in sports and life than being the underdog … And it’s a role the Ravens are embracing with open arms.
“I like being the underdog. I believe we play better when we’re doubted,” quarterback Lamar Jackson said.
"I like being the underdog. I believe we play better when we're doubted."
Lamar Jackson on the Ravens being a 5-point dog against the 49ers this week 👀pic.twitter.com/Cs1TN7ySRT
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) December 20, 2023
Baltimore safety Kyle Hamilton echoed the same statement but added that the team feels disrespected by the spread.
“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,” he said.
Kyle Hamilton on the #Ravens being seen as the underdogs entering Christmas night at San Francisco:
"The 11-3s are not created equal right now, in terms of the 49ers vs. us and we feel a little disrespected by that. I feel like we are the best team in the league and we've got… pic.twitter.com/xxsauQOgXF
— Bobby Trosset (@bobbybaltimoree) December 20, 2023
This marks only the second time this season that the Ravens have been cast in the underdog role, with the first instance occurring in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals, where Baltimore emerged victorious with a 27-24 upset.
“I don’t want them to pick us,” Jackson said. “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.”
Lamar Jackson on people saying Monday night's Ravens-49ers game is a Super Bowl preview:
“The Super Bowl is in February. We’re in December right now.”
Lamar is so locked in…pic.twitter.com/wYsz7fx1sE
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 20, 2023
Cornerback Marlon Humphrey said he took the spread personal and hopes to prove the doubters wrong.
“It hurt my feelings a little bit. But I definitely want to make that incorrect for sure. And hopefully, some people lose some money betting with them and make some money better with us,” he said.
#Ravens CB Marlon Humphery on which players he respects on the #49ers:
“I don’t respect ‘em. I don’t respect a single person on their football team.”
Looks like we are going to be in for a Christmas Classic 🍿🍿🍿 pic.twitter.com/EP2DaKyP7D
— Randy Gregory Fan Club (@GregoryFan5) December 21, 2023
“I’m betting on us 10 out of 10 times. I don’t really care too much about others’ opinions,” Ravens middle linebacker Roquan Smith confidently said.
Roquan Smith on the Ravens being an underdog to the 49ers:
“I’m betting on us 10 times out of 10 — 11 if you want to add one.” pic.twitter.com/jYgRK2KrLH
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) December 20, 2023
Needless to say, I think I speak for us all when I say I can’t wait for Christmas Night.
Should the Ravens feel as disrespected as they do to be 5.5-point underdogs?
Of course, as a competitor you’re always going to play up that “us against the world” angle … Whatever Baltimore feels they need to do to give themselves an edge, all the power to them.
Regardless, who do you think is going to win – Baltimore or San Francisco?
Is this a Super Bowl preview???