LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day pulled off one in every of their most spectacular victories this season, happening the highway to rout the San Francisco 49ers 33-19.
It was a surprising victory and assertion.
Except …
Oddsmakers nonetheless consider the 49ers are one of the best of the 4 remaining groups within the NFL playoffs.
The 49ers, who host the Detroit Lions on Sunday within the NFC championship sport, are a plus-140 favourite at FanDuel Sportsbook, to win all of it. San Francisco could be favored over both workforce that comes out of the AFC title sport — Baltimore (1 1/2 factors) or Kansas City (three factors).
Other books have related traces.
“You have the Raven win in San Francisco and beat them pretty good,” stated Adam Pullen, assistant buying and selling director for Caesars Sportsbook. “But we’ve always said we think the Niners are a little better.”
BetMGM lead sports activities dealer Christian Cipollini stated the regular-season end result did have an effect on the road as a result of the 49ers in any other case could be extra closely favored in a hypothetical matchup. San Francisco was a 4 1/2 to five 1/2-point favourite in that first assembly.
“The fact this is down to 1 1/2 speaks a little more of how the Ravens have looked as of late,” Cipollini stated. “They’ve kind of been steamrolling teams since they beat the 49ers. The 49ers are still obviously a very good team. They’ve looked a little more vulnerable as of late. … But on paper, the 49ers do have the best team in the league.”
THE DEEBO WATCH
No place impacts the purpose unfold in soccer greater than quarterback, however 49ers do-it-all Deebo Samuel has many oddsmakers and bettors taking part in shut consideration to studies about his shoulder harm.
“I really want to know what Deebo Samuel’s status is here because I think he changes a lot for the 49ers,” stated Bruce Marshall, handicapper for The Gold Sheet. “I don’t want to say he’s the most valuable guy because it’s (Christian) McCaffrey, (Brock) Purdy. Without them, they’d really be in trouble. But of the receivers, I maintain Deebo over (Brandon) Aiyuk and (tight end) (George) Kittle.
“He really makes the defenses cover the width of the field, and he’s like a Swiss pocket knife. They use him out of the backfield. He distorts the defenses and they have to account for him at all times. No matter who they put in there … they lose a little something without him.”
Pullen espoused a different view. He said the Niners probably would remain around 7-point favorites at Caesars with or without Samuel.
“They’re a team built, I think, to win in his absence,” Pullen said. “That’s nothing against Deebo. He’s a great player. But maybe this is higher if Deebo is at full strength. Maybe you’re looking at a 7 1/2, but in my opinion, it’s been negligible, his status and how it’s affected the line.”
HEAVY MONEY IN MICHIGAN
BetMGM’s location in Detroit has taken lots of Lions money, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the sportsbook will be cheering for the 49ers.
“We took instantly some Lions action, so I imagine that’s a lot of players that just won their bet on the Lions a week before and just rolled it right over,” Cipollini said. “I’m curious as to what will occur to us as we get to sport day and the vast majority of our bets are coming in as a result of we’ve got a sportsbook app in Michigan, however we do not have one clearly in California as a result of it isn’t authorized there. So from the hometown fan aspect, we’re solely going to be getting Michigan bets.
“Most people outside of Michigan I think are going to end up taking the 49ers. I’m just really not sure how diehard those Lions fans are, if they’re going to have us rooting for the Lions or 49ers.”
WINNING HISTORY
Kansas City’s offense took a noticeable step again this season, however operated at a excessive stage in beating the Buffalo Bills 27-24 on Sunday. The Chiefs have received two Super Bowls previously 4 seasons, which might make somebody pause earlier than betting in opposition to them.
“It’s sort of a case by case how I weigh the past, and it doesn’t always work, either,” Marshall stated. “In this case, I sort of defer to KC’s experience a little, the fact they’ve been here. This is a much different challenge for Baltimore than Houston was (34-10 victory). Kansas City wins these things tight. Let’s see what Baltimore can do if they’re not just bullying everybody.”
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Source web site: www.hindustantimes.com
