The big NFL game of Week 13 has to be between the rampant Baltimore Ravens and the high-flying San Francisco 49ers.
And I’m not only saying so because the ESPN power-rankings currently rate Baltimore and San Francisco at one and two. Reigning Super Bowl champions the New England Patriots are only third on their list.
New Jersey sports betting operators also have the two NFL teams up among their top three favorites.
The bulk of New Jersey’s 18 sports books rate them at 2 and 3 behind the Patriots. Resorts Online is an exception. Like ESPN it has the Ravens as their No. 1 favorite ahead of New England.
The two Super Bowl LIV front-runners are scheduled to meet at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday at 1pm ET. Friday’s odds favored the Ravens to win what might be one of the tightest pre-playoffs battles of 2019.
On Friday FanDuel had the Ravens at money line odds of -250, the 49ers at -215. They had their ‘over and under’ total at 45.5 and their spread at 5.5. 888sport was pretty much the same (money-line -250 Ravens, +200 49ers, Totals points 45.5 and spread 5.5).
Ravens in crushing wins in last five games
Winners of their last seven games, and with crushing wins in their last five, the Ravens’ offence is looking unstoppable. With Lamar Jackson at the top of his game they’ve chalked up 206 points as against only 62.
San Francisco, in the meantime, will go in to this away game with one of the NFL’s toughest defenses right now. It’s been every bit as hard to beat as the Baltimore offence has been hard to stop.
Their clash therefore could, should be one the most memorable of the season so far. However, in the end I can see the Ravens coming through on top. This was hinted at when the 49ers played the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona’s NFL rookie quarterback Kyler Murray gave them a run around.
Jackson is no rookie and right now Baltimore is clearly superior team to Cardinals.
Furthermore they have few injury suspects. Dee Ford (hamstring), Matt Breida and Robbie Gould (quad) are all unlikely to plat for the 489ers Sunday.
The Ravens are reported to have lost Matt Skuta for the season, but their only other injured player is Michael Pierce (ankle).
Recent trends
Here are a few recent trends that might help you decide on how you are going to bet.
With a for-and-against points record of 202-62 in their last five games, the Ravens have always covered the spread. Against this the 49ers are 1-2-1 against it.
The 49ers have record 5-0 wins on the road – and they are on the road again today.
Totals over and under bets have paid out on ‘overs’ in four of the 49ers’ last five games. The Ravens, meantime, have a 6-3 ‘overs’ record in their last nine
The Ravens rank first in the NFL in rushing, but San Francisco is right on their heels at No. 2.
NFL Week 13 matches scheduled for Sunday
CLE Browns @ PIT Steelers (Sun 1pm)
GB Packers @ NY Giants (Sun 1pm)
NY Jets @ CIN Bengals (Sun 1pm)
PHI Eagles@ MIA Dolphins (Sun 1pm)
SF 49ers @ BAL Ravens (Sun 1pm)
TB Buccaneers @ JAX Jaguars (Sun 1pm)
TEN Titans@ IND Colts (1.00pm)
WAS Redskins@ CAR Panthers (1.00pm
LA Rams @ ARI Cardinals (Sun 4.05pm)
LA Chargers @ DEN Broncos (Sun 4.25pm)
OAK Raiders @ KC Chiefs (Sun 4.25pm0
NE Patriots@ HOU Texans (Sun 8.20pm)