For the First Time, Patriots Not Listed as Super Bowl 54 Favorites; Ravens Given +300 Odds as New Favorites Entering Week 13

• Winners of seven straight, the Baltimore Ravens now sit as +300 Super Bowl favorites
• Led by NFL MVP favorite Lamar Jackson, the Ravens sport the NFL’s top offense
• The Patriots’ Super Bowl odds have shown remarkable resilience and remain close +325

The Baltimore Ravens have emerged as the hottest team in the NFL over the past two months, posting seven straight wins. This week, they finally overtook the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl odds, where they now sit as +300 favorites .

Odds to Win Super Bowl 54

Odds taken on Nov. 29/19

Ravens Gaining Momentum

Baltimore has steadily gained momentum during an impressive 7-0 run, and has averaged 45 points in three straight wins going into Sunday afternoon’s clash with the San Francisco 49ers at M&T Bank Stadium.

https://twitter.com/NFLFBGAMETIME/status/1191209710734602240?s=20

The Ravens have overcome some stiff competition during their current win streak. In addition to posting victories over the Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, and Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore also outclassed the New England Patriots in 37-20 victory as a 3-point underdog in Week 8.

The win over the Patriots accelerated the Ravens’ climb up the NFL futures, vaulting their average odds from +1600 to +803, but they remain deadlocked with New England as +300 co-favorites at one sportsbook.

The Ravens entered their Week 12 visit to Los Angeles pegged as a +427 Super Bowl bet, and wasted no time climbing past New England after handing the Rams a crushing 45-6 defeat

This week’s gains have also been dramatic. The Ravens entered their Week 12 visit to Los Angeles as a +427 Super Bowl bet, and wasted no time climbing past New England after handing the Rams a crushing 45-6 defeat.

Jackson Leading NFL’s Top Offense

With their offense firing on all cylinders, the Ravens now lead the NFL by a wide margin in points scored, averaging 35.1 points per game. That’s almost five points-per-game more than the second-ranked 49ers, whom they host on Sunday as 5.5-point chalk.

The Ravens have outscored their last three opponents 135-26 😳 pic.twitter.com/x2AE4QwUHr

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 26, 2019

Lamar Jackson has also emerged as a short -300 favorite to win NFL MVP during the team’s surge. The former Heisman Trophy winner has tossed 24 touchdowns against just five picks, and scampered for six additional scores while rushing for 876 yards, ninth-best in the NFL.

The Baltimore defense has also pulled its weight, surrendering just 26 total points over the team’s past three wins. The unit now ranks fourth in the NFL in scoring at just 18.4 points per game.

Now sporting a 9-2 SU record, the Ravens sit on the verge of repeating as AFC North champions, and are poised to enjoy a bye on Wild Card Weekend. But could they be peaking just a little too early?

Ravens Face Tough December Tests

The Ravens still face a few tough tests over the final five weeks of the season, starting with Sunday’s matchup against San Francisco. The 49ers have also been dominant at times this season while compiling an NFC-leading 10-1 SU record, including a perfect 5-0 SU record on the road. And a loss to San Francisco on Sunday, would certainly prove to be a setback for Baltimore in Super Bowl betting.

.@ShannonSharpe on why the Ravens would make a deeper playoff run than the 49ers:

"Right now I trust Lamar more than I trust Jimmy Garoppolo. Jimmy has 14 turnovers, which is 5th most in the NFL and you know if you turn the ball over in the playoffs you pay double." pic.twitter.com/N8ZcDzptg5

— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) November 26, 2019

Baltimore will also face the AFC’s best defense when they visit the Buffalo Bills in Week 14. The Bills are enjoying one of their best seasons in years, going 9-3 SU capped by a 26-15 win in Dallas on Thanksgiving Day. They have never lost to the Ravens on home turf.

Patriots a Known Quantity

However, the Patriots also have a tough schedule down the stretch, starting with Sunday night’s clash with the AFC South-leading Houston Texans. New England follows that with a home game against the AFC West-leading Kansas City Chiefs, and a Week 16 home date with the Bills.

Updated AFC standings. Quite a log jam for the sixth and final spot. (Via @YahooSports) #Chiefs #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/U5NskFWnMA

— Bobby T (@KCChiefsfan89) November 26, 2019

But while the Ravens’ rise in the odds has been both sudden and dramatic, the Patriots have maintained a steady presence at or near the top, and have demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity.

Indeed, New England’s loss to the Ravens barely dented its Super Bowl odds, dropping them slightly from +233 to +283, and the Patriots would likely need to suffer a total collapse to fall heavily off the pace.

Niners Offering Intriguing Value Ahead of Date in Baltimore

As the new kids on the block, the Ravens are unlikely to enjoy that luxury. In the event of a loss to San Francisco, expect Baltimore to immediately lose ground to the Niners, who currently rank third in Super Bowl betting at +500. And defeats suffered in any subsequent contests would likely take a heavy toll on the Ravens’ position.

That leaves the Patriots still leading the way among value bets, with the 49ers deserving of serious consideration heading into Sunday’s action.

Pick: Patriots (+325)