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Monday Night Football Picks: San Francisco 49ers vs Baltimore Ravens

by Mike Allen - 12/22/2023

Monday Night Football picks for San Francisco 49ers vs Baltimore Ravens Lamar Jackson

Wow, did the NFL do a great job with the schedule this week! How can you beat possibly the most likely Super Bowl matchup not just on a Monday Night Football slot in Week 16, but Christmas Night?

Even better, the team that would, in all likelihood, be the betting underdog in the big game, is the home team this week.

The Baltimore Ravens will host the seemingly unstoppable San Francisco 49ers in a jolly ole game. Hopefully, everyone got all the presents they wanted. And if you didn't, let's try and make some money together on this game. Then, we can go out and buy whatever we want.

Christmas shopping wasn’t too difficult for me. I sent out about a dozen of those new boxing head wraps where you have to keep up with punching the ball on a string. As the martial arts uncle to many, it was truly a thoughtless choice.

Speaking of choices, if you had to choose between Brock Purdy or Lamar Jackson leading your offense, who would it be?

I know a lot of people out there would say Brock Purdy and he has yet to prove the naysayers right, but he also has an absolutely stacked well-oiled machine of a team behind him.

If they hadn't had that 3-game losing streak, we are talking about an undefeated team right now. None of their wins have been remotely close.

They have yet to play the Baltimore Ravens, however. And if any other NFL has a shot at beating the Niners, I think it’s John Harbaugh and his Ravens team.

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49ers vs Ravens Betting Odds

Point Spread

San Francisco: -5.5

Baltimore: +5.5

This betting line opened up at 4.5, and we have seen a small push up to 5.5. A lot of people don't know what to do with these odds.

The Niners are the team to beat this season, and while the Ravens have been very, very good, they have faltered at times. So has San Francisco, though. I get it. Their 3-game losing streak was, of course, odd, but I don't see why we are giving them such a break for their 3 losses compared to a team like the Ravens. Both of these teams are 11-3. Baltimore is on an 8-1 run right now!

And they are catching 5.5 points at home? I understand the 49er effect. I get it, but this line is wide.

Moneyline

San Francisco: -250

Baltimore: +200

I believe the betting line should be at 3.5 or 4. Minus a 7-point loss to the AFC North Division rival Steelers, the Ravens have only been beaten by 2 and 3 points, respectively.

When I close my eyes and remember what the Niners did to the Eagles, the Cowboys, and the Jaguars, the betting odds start to make sense.

Sure, they get an extra day of rest, but that's an extra day of practice and rest for the home Ravens. Traveling east is difficult on the body.

Point Total

Over 47: -110

Under 47: -110

49ers vs Ravens Betting Analysis

I was hoping that we would get some nasty weather for this game, but it looks like Christmas Day will be the only sunny spot all week in the forecast for the city of Baltimore. I could see these two high-powered offenses sputtering in the wet and windy cold of our nation's Northeast.

Either way, the Ravens' defense is not getting the respect it deserves here. They are ranked #1 in the NFL in yards per play allowed. Yes, the 49ers offense is easily 1st in the league in yards per play, but the 49ers defense is ranked 12th in yards allowed per play.

A big part of that is them having large leads in games, but guess what? The Niners have yet to pass the battle test. They just haven't. The close games they have played, they have lost.

The same can't be said about the Ravens, who have been in more close games and fought through adversity for the win.

San Francisco may be the better team, but they haven't been in the fire and came out the winner.

49ers vs Ravens Betting Prediction

Give me the home team with the points.

Prediction: Baltimore (+5.5)
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