Odds against Ravens’ Super Bowl run
The Ravens were a dropped pass away from the Super Bowl last season.
This year? Oddsmakers say Baltimore is way more than just a swatted pigskin from the sport’s biggest prize. Sportsbook Betus.com lists the Ravens at 16/1 to hoist the Lombardi Trophy at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome during Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans. The Green Bay Packers remain the favorites at 5.5/1.
Still, not bad odds for a team that has yet to make a key offseason acquisition and had just over $4.6 million in cap space with which to work. Overall, the team made out well by re-signing center Matt Birk – even if he is on his last leg – using the franchise tag on running back Ray Rice and exercising a roster bonus to keep offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie.
But the defections are the real story of the team’s offseason.
The Ravens lost backup defensive backs Steve Zbikowski and Haruki Nakamura and cut Domonique Foxworth. Defensive lineman Cory Redding also was signed away along with linebacker Jarret Johnson and guard Ben Grubbs.
All of those players were key contributors at one point last season. And those losses are a big reason there are some surprising names in front of the Ravens to claim a championship this season.
Betus.com has the New England Patriots (6.5/1), Houston Texans (10/1), San Francisco 49ers (12/1), Philadelphia Eagles (14/1), Denver Broncos (14/1), New York Giants (16/1) and New Orleans Saints (16/1) with better or similar odds to lift the silver trophy in 10 months.
The Ravens eliminated the Texans last year, the Saints don’t have a head coach, the Eagles didn’t even make the playoffs and the Broncos have a franchise quarterback who hasn’t taken a live snap in over a year.
What?
Obviously bookmakers aren’t buying Joe Flacco touting himself as the top quarterback in the NFL. They also aren’t keen on the team staying pat while again losing so many players familiar with the squad’s unique system and culture who have made significant contributions the past few seasons.
God willing, the team will make a few shrewd moves during the draft and training camp to bolster its roster in the coming months. But then again, God probably is putting his money on Tim Tebow and the New York Jets at 25/1.
SUPER BOWL ODDS LINK:
SUPER BOWL ODDS
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens 16/1
Pittsburgh Steelers 18/1
Cincinnati Bengals 40/1
Cleveland Browns 150/1
*Odds provided by Betus.com.
Dave Carey has covered sports in the Baltimore region and the national sports gaming scene since 2006. He has covered everything from youth soccer clinics to the NCAA tournament to bowl games and the NFL playoffs. He lives in Baltimore City and is a contributor for CBSSports.com and Covers.com. He can be reached at dcarey71@gmail.com.