One of the crucial greatest Christmas Day showdowns since Shaq vs. Kobe 2004, and Rocky vs. Drago is happening on Dec. 25, 2023. The No. 1 seed within the AFC — the Baltimore Ravens — goes up in opposition to the highest NFC seed — the San Francisco 49ers. In my opinion, I want when the NFL does now not insert itself into the carrying calendar on one of the vital NBA’s signature days, however for a matchup like this, I’ll indulge.
The Ravens are hoping that taking part in the “no one believes in us card,” will assist push them to their greatest victory of the season. Maximum sportsbooks have them as a 4-5.5 level underdog at the street in opposition to the 49ers.
Kyle Hamiton instructed the media that the workforce feels disrespected by means of that time unfold. Marlon Humphrey went as far as to mention it, “harm my emotions somewhat bit.” John Harbaugh did ascertain with the media that the unfold has been mentioned in workforce conferences.
Oddsmakers know what they’re doing. They’re looking to tempt as many of us as imaginable to guess at the recreation, and that line is juicy. The 49ers have gained all in their video games by means of double digits for the reason that bye week. That incorporates wins in Jacksonville, Philadelphia, and Seattle. They’re a buzzsaw.
Whilst the Ravens have the similar document, they’ve now not long past thru their time table with the similar degree of domination. They’ve gained their closing 4 by means of double digits, however one is a 20-10 victory in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers, and closing week they went to Duval County and beat the Jacksonville Jaguars — with a hobbled Trevor Lawrence — 23-7. The 49ers play like a wave in comparison to what every so often is a ripple from the Ravens.
This recreation is the spotlight of the 2023 common season. Each groups are quite wholesome and the winner can have the news on the most sensible general seed of their respective convention. That proper there’s the actual importance of the sport. The winner will finish the day with 3 losses, whilst the loser falls into the pack of groups of their convention with 4.
The Ravens may also be of their emotions in regards to the unfold and speaking heads can bloviate all they prefer about this being a measuring-stick recreation for Lamar Jackson & Co. This highly-anticipated Christmas Day showdown is only one of 17 common season video games.
Sure, it will be a very good search for the Ravens to knock off the mighty 49ers in entrance of The us, however this is all it will be. Irrespective of the end result, there’s not anything left for the Ravens to end up within the 12 months 2023.
Each and every step they take within the subsequent 3 weeks must be development towards a playoff crescendo. What they want maximum is for this newly made over offense to carry up when a loss is greater than a unhappiness — it’s ultimate. In the event that they win on Monday, they’ve to show round and play the Miami Dolphins six days later, most likely with the AFC most sensible seed at the line.
The Ravens can be happy to publish the purpose spreads for his or her Christmas tilt in opposition to the 49ers in every single place the apply facility and their locker room at M&T Financial institution Stadium. It may possibly’t harm. On the other hand, in the event that they win, the birthday party will have to closing simplest till they hit the showers.
Beating the 49ers will cause them to glance excellent and reinforce their document, however there’s extra paintings to be performed.
