The NFL Christmas tripleheader winds down with a possible preview of Super Bowl LVIII as the Baltimore Ravens head west to take on the San Francisco 49ers. The sports betting line on the game has the 49ers favored to win by 5 ½ points, which is a bit of a sticking point for the Ravens, who are the underdogs for just the second time this season. This spread is the second-biggest in Lamar Jackson’s Ravens career. If Baltimore can win, they would clinch the AFC North for the first time since 2019, so long as Cleveland either loses or ties at Houston. The Ravens also control their own destiny in the chase for the top seed in the AFC. Read on to get our NFL betting prediction on this prime-time Christmas clash.
NFL Preview: Baltimore Ravens at San Francisco 49ers
When: Monday, December 25, 2023, 8:15 pm ET
Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
TV: ABC
Radio: Westwood One
Live Stream: ESPN+
NFL Odds: San Francisco -5.5 / O/U 47.5 // Baltimore +190 / San Francisco -225
Why should you bet on the Ravens?
Baltimore got a terrific performance on defense against Jacksonville last year, putting the clamps on the Jaguar offense in a 23-7 win. Jackson was good enough at quarterback, going 14 of 24 for 171 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, and he also carried the ball a dozen times for 97 yards. Gus Edwards ran the ball 16 times for 58 yards and a score, and Keaton Mitchell had nine carries for 73 yards.
The top tackler for the Ravens is Roquan Smith (143, 79 solo). Justin Madubuike had a sack last week against Jacksonville to give him 12 on the season. Geno Stone leads the team with six interceptions (out of 11 overall for the team). The Ravens’ defense ranks #1 in the NFL with just 16.1 points permitted per game. They are second in total defense, allowing just 287.9 yards per game. The injury report could do in the Ravens, though, as 16 players are listed. David Ojabo and three other defenders are out indefinitely, and Odell Beckham Jr is questionable with an illness.
Why should you put your money on the 49ers?
The 49ers rolled over an Arizona Cardinals team that has been rejuvenated by the return of Kyler Murray but could not stop San Francisco in a 45-29 decision for the Niners. Brock Purdy went 16 of 25 for 242 yards with four touchdown passes without a pick. Christian McCaffrey ran for 115 yards on 18 attempts, scoring a touchdown on the ground, and he was also the top receiver with 72 yards on five catches – and two more scores. Deebo Samuel had a pair of touchdown catches of his own.
Fred Warner was the top tackler on defense with eight, leading a unit that is second in the NFL in scoring defense (16.7) and ninth in total defense (310.1 yards permitted per game). Warner has 116 total tackles and 75 solo tackles. Chavarius Ward has defended 22 passes, and Nick Bosa leads the defense with 10 ½ sacks. Ward and Warner also have four interceptions apiece.
Final Score and Prediction
Did you know that underdogs have won the last seven Monday Night Football games? Can Baltimore make it eight in a row? The biggest flaw that San Francisco has is in their secondary, so if the Ravens can take advantage, then they can win at Levi’s Stadium. Even with that three-game losing streak, there is a tendency to sleep on these 49ers – a tendency that I don’t see as wise. I predict a final score of San Francisco 30, Baltimore 20.
Live Super Bowl Betting Odds For Today
Bet NFL Football Lines in Xbet Sportsbook
Ravens at 49ers
Love betting NFL football? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date NFL lines for Regular Season
