Tag: MVP

Should you bet on the Baltimore Ravens to win Super Bowl LIV?

Previewing the Baltimore Ravens’ Super Bowl LIV chances, with NFL betting odds, picks, futures and best bets.

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The Baltimore Ravens cruised through the 2019 NFL regular season to a 14-2 record and a second straight AFC North crown. They won their final 12 games of the year after a 2-2 start and nine of their 14 wins were decided by at least a two-score margin. Now, they head into the postseason as +225 favorites to win Super Bowl LIV in Miami Sunday, Feb. 2.

The Ravens, led by MVP frontrunner QB Lamar Jackson, locked down the No. 1 seed in the AFC and will host the Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills or Houston Texans in the Divisional Round Saturday, Jan, 11.

NFL futures odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Friday at 12:30 pm. ET.

Baltimore Ravens playoff futures

Get some action on the games by betting at BetMGM. New customer offer: RISK-FREE First Bet (up to $500!) paid in free bets.

AFC Champion: -112

The Ravens are the only team in either conference getting a negative number to advance to Super Bowl LIV. The Kansas City Chiefs are the next closest favorite in the AFC at +200, while the Buffalo Bills are the biggest long shot at +3000. The books are putting the juice on a Ravens team, which obtained the NFL’s best regular-season record, controls home field through the AFC playoffs and enters the postseason on a 12-game winning streak.

The Ravens’ two losses this season came at the Chiefs (33-28) and at home to the rival Cleveland Browns (40-25) in Weeks 3 and 4, respectively. Baltimore and KC may meet in the AFC Championship Game, but it’ll be Baltimore with the home advantage in the rematch.

(Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan – USA TODAY Sports)

The Ravens led the NFL with 33.2 points per game and ranked second in total yards of offense per game at 407.6. Defensively, they ranked third in PPG allowed (17.6) and fourth in YPG allowed (300.6.). Only six teams had a better turnover differential than Baltimore’s plus-10.

These merits aside, there’s zero value in placing a futures bet on the team getting the juice. There’s too much that can happen, even in a three-game sample. It’s a hard PASS for me on the conference title odds. It’s Super Bowl or bust for John Harbaugh’s Ravens.

Super Bowl: +225

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Ravens to win Super Bowl LIV would return a profit of $22.50 should Baltimore win the game.

Harbaugh should be viewed as the Coach of the Year favorite, much like Jackson ran away with the MVP honors. Additionally, the Ravens tied an NFL record with 12 Pro Bowl selections this season. Behind Jackson, free-agent additions RB Mark Ingram and S Earl Thomas received nods, as did in-season trade acquisition CB Marcus Peters. Nine of the team’s sections were either drafted by the Ravens (six) or signed as undrafted free agents (three).

Photo Credit: Rich Barnes – USA TODAY Sports

At +225, the books still aren’t offering much value on the Ravens to win it all in early February. The Ravens opened with +2000 odds of winning Super Bowl LIV last February, with those rising all the way to +4000 by the end of the preseason. To all those who acted at the right time, congratulations. Sit back, and hold your ticket tight.

For those needing action entering the postseason, go ahead and back the Ravens on a multi-unit bet. Hedge it by backing a long shot out of the NFC such as the Minnesota Vikings (+1600) or Seattle Seahawks (+1200).

Alternatively, try predicting the exact Super Bowl LIV matchup. Baltimore Ravens v Green Bay Packers (+800) will be getting some of my money.

Want action on this bet? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Top five Christmas Day games from James Harden in Houston

With James Harden’s Rockets facing the Warriors in a holiday showdown, we look back at the former MVP’s top Christmas Day games in Houston.

In seven Christmas Day games with the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder, James Harden has a 6-1 record with averages of 26.3 points (45.6% shooting), 6.7 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game.

The superstar Rockets guard and 2018 MVP will look to keep that success going in Wednesday afternoon’s road game against the five-time defending Western Conference champion Golden State Warriors.

The Rockets (21-9) are significant favorites, considering that the Warriors (7-24) have the West’s worst record at the moment and are without Steph Curry and Klay Thompson due to long-term injuries.

However, even without Curry and Thompson, it’s not as if the Warriors — when otherwise healthy and not on load management — are devoid of talent. Forward Draymond Green and guard D’Angelo Russell are each former NBA All-Stars, and they’ve led the Warriors to consecutive wins heading into Wednesday’s matchup. Both are expected to play.

Thus, the Rockets may need a strong Harden performance in San Francisco to extend their current winning streak to five games. Fortunately for them, he’s delivered quite a few of those over the years on Christmas Day. Here’s a look at the best ones of his 11-year NBA career:

5.) Dec. 25, 2015

It was otherwise a season to forget for the Rockets, who followed up a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2014-15 with a 41-41 record and first-round exit in 2015-16. Harden has now been in Houston for eight seasons, and this was the only one in which the Rockets did not finish with a winning record. But their home Christmas Day game against the in-state rival San Antonio Spurs was one of the lone highlights.

Harden struggled from the field overall (7-of-21), but he hit a pair of massive three-pointers in the fourth quarter as the Rockets ended a seven-game San Antonio winning streak. Harden also helped Houston on defense, where they held Kawhi Leonard, Tim Duncan, and the rest of the Spurs to a season-low total of 84 points.

4.) Dec. 25, 2012

In Harden’s first season in Houston, the Rockets (15-12) routed the Bulls (15-12) in Chicago, 120-97. Harden led Houston with 26 points on just 13 shot attempts, making seven. The Rockets weren’t expected to be a playoff team entering 2012-13, but the Christmas Day showing put the team on the national map in a season where the Rockets finished at 45-37 and made the NBA playoffs for the first time in four years.

3.) Dec. 25, 2017

The Rockets lost, 112-107, in large part due to the injury absence of Chris Paul. But even in the lone Christmas loss to date of his tenure in Houston, Harden shined with 29 points, eight rebounds, and a game-high 14 assists. That kept the Rockets (25-7) in striking distance on the road, even without their Hall of Fame point guard.

This game might be more memorable in hindsight, since the Thunder were led by current Houston point guard and then-MVP Russell Westbrook with 31 points and 11 assists. Harden went on to earn the league’s MVP award after that 2018-19 season, and his Rockets finished with a franchise-best 65-17 record.

2.) Dec. 25, 2013

In the first year of Harden’s partnership with Dwight Howard, the Rockets (19-11) made an early statement that they were much improved from the prior season. Houston boosted its win total by nine games from 2012-13 to 2013-14, and they put that improvement on full display on Christmas Day with a commanding 111-98 victory in San Antonio.

Led by Duncan and Leonard, the Spurs (22-7) went on to win the NBA title later that season. But Harden had his way on Dec. 25, scoring 16 of his game-high 28 points in the fourth quarter. Harden hit 11-of-16 shots (68.8%) overall, including all three of his attempts from three-point range, and he also had six assists, six rebounds, and two blocks.

1.) Dec. 25, 2018

Rockets fans don’t have to think back far for Harden’s most memorable Christmas Day performance. Just one year ago, Harden tallied 41 points and seven assists as Houston got its revenge from the prior season’s holiday loss against Westbrook’s Thunder with a 113-109 victory.

Harden’s 41-point total from a year ago is the second highest of any active NBA player, trailing only 44 points from then-teammate Kevin Durant on Dec. 25, 2010.

As for 2018, the Christmas performance was the seventh consecutive game with 30+ points for Harden, who went on to record 32 straight games of 30+ points. That streak was the second longest in NBA history.

What might 2019 bring, as far as Harden’s legacy on the NBA’s signature holiday for games? We’ll find out when the Rockets face the Warriors on Christmas afternoon in San Francisco, with tip-off scheduled for 4 p.m. Houston time. Happy holidays to all our Rockets Wire readers!

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Irish in the NFL: Ronnie Stanley Key in Lamar Jackson’s MVP Caliber Season

Not only has Stanley not allowed a sack through fifteen games but he’s only allowed his quarterback to be pressured six times all season.

When you hear about Notre Dame players in the NFL you usually hear first about offensive linemen and then about tight ends. Or first about tight ends and then about those on the o-line.

When discussing the linemen, Quenton Nelson is seemingly always the first player brought up because he’s downright nasty and has the attitude that matches his play.

He’s not the only dominating offensive lineman from Notre Dame in the pros this year, however. And in fact, he might not even be the best Notre Dame lineman in the pros this season.

That title may just deserve to go to former Irish star and current Baltimore Raven, Ronnie Stanley.

Pro Football Focus did a fine job breaking down his play this season after Thursday night’s dominating win over the New York Jets.

Not only has Stanley not allowed a sack through fifteen games but he’s only allowed his quarterback to be pressured six times all season.

Yes, against the best pass rushers in the world Stanley has not only held his own but entirely dominated.

Listen, Lamar Jackson is lights-out on the field and easily the NFL MVP this season. He would probably still be more than just passable even behind an average or so offensive line.

It’s worth praising Stanley however for having his young quarterback’s back, literally, and helping to create one of the most memorable years we’ve ever witnessed by an NFL quarterback.

For your consideration: It’s time to put Jimmy Garoppolo’s name in NFL MVP race

It’s extremely unlikely he wins, but Jimmy Garoppolo has earned NFL MVP consideration.

Let’s preface this argument by saying Jimmy Garoppolo very likely won’t win the MVP. Players like Lamar Jackson and Russell Wilson have been playing at an MVP-level all season, while Garoppolo has played at that level the past month and a half. However, even with his slow start to the season, his play over the last six weeks should be something that puts Garoppolo in the MVP conversation.

Garoppolo started the season with a pedestrian 219 yards per game with seven touchdowns and six interception for a passer rating of 90.8 in his first six games. While the numbers don’t jump off the screen, he was good enough to help lead the 49ers to a 6-0 record.

In the seven games since that point, Garoppolo’s numbers spiked to 275.9 yards per game with 18 touchdown passes and 5 interceptions. The 49ers notched wins in five of those seven games. The two losses came on last-second field goals to the Ravens and Seahawks. The increase in production coincided with the addition of wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and the emergence of rookie receiver Deebo Samuel.

In his 13 starts this season, Garoppolo has a completion rate of 69.4, with 3,245 yards for an average of  249.6 per game. He’s tossed 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. That’s good for a 103.9 passer rating.

If he can maintain his yards per game, passer rating, and completion percentage, Garoppolo would be the sixth quarterback since the 1970 merger to finish a season with those numbers. He would join Joe Montana, Drew Brees (five times), Phillip Rivers, Matt Ryan, and Kirk Cousins as the only quarterbacks to finish a season with that stat line.

While numbers play a significant role in deciding who belongs in the MVP discussion, team success and narratives are also key factors. That’s why the 49ers’ 11-2 start after a 4-12 finish a year ago, and Garoppolo’s level of play in the final two months of the season matter. The timing of his elevated play undoubtedly bolsters his case in a way raw numbers don’t.

For example, Garoppolo had an MVP moment Sunday when he led the 49ers to a 48-46 win in New Orleans where he finished 26-of-35 for 349 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. He also gets credit for leading the game-winning drive with a huge assist from George Kittle. Sunday was the 49ers quarterback’s third fourth-quarter comeback and third game-winning drive. He earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his performance.

It’s extremely unlikely Garoppolo does enough in the remaining three games to earn himself an MVP award over someone like Jackson who’s taken the league by storm. What Garoppolo has earned is the right for his name to be put in with the likes of Jackson and Wilson as a player who should be at least considered for the coveted award.

 

Report card: Bills lose 24-17 to Ravens

In a classic AFC slugfest, the Ravens came away victorious over the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field to clinch a playoff birth.

The Bills received plenty of national attention after their Thanksgiving victory over the Dallas Cowboys, and with the national media watching two weeks in a row the team fell flat. The Bills offense was smothered by a dominate Ravens defense in Week 14 at New Era Field as the visitors took a 24-17 win.

While Buffalo’s defense had a stout performance they couldn’t stop MVP front runner, Lamar Jackson for four quarters.

A fourth quarter touchdown did make the final few minutes interesting, but it was too little too late.

Here’s how the Bills graded out in this week’s report card following their loss to the Ravens:

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Quarterback: D

Josh Allen had an atrocious first half, let’s not kid ourselves.

He was 8-for-17 passing, threw for just 39 yards, and was constantly hounded by a ferocious Baltimore defense. His production increased in the second half, which gave Buffalo an opportunity to tie the game in the fourth quarter but he couldn’t produce on the final throw of the game.

While the Bills kept it close throughout the game, Josh Allen simply wasn’t good enough during the first three quarters. Allen missed on a majority of his deep shots, which resulted in drives stalling out, or stopping before they could even start. He also missed on some of his shorter throws, with most of his misses sailing over the head of his intended receiver.

Allen’s final stat line was 17-for-39, 146 yards, and one touchdown, and one successful two-point conversion throw. Frankly, this may have been Allen’s worst game of the season and it couldn’t have come at a worst time.

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Bills vs. Ravens: 5 matchups to watch

The red hot Bills face the Baltimore Ravens who are a powerhouse in the AFC at New Era Field on Sunday, these are the key matchups to watch.

The Buffalo Bills, who sit at 9-3, have one of the toughest challenges of their season on Sunday when the 10-2 Baltimore Ravens come to New Era Field.

Both teams are led by strong defenses and young, dynamic quarterbacks. Buffalo has a chance to clinch just their second playoff birth this decade with a win against Super Bowl hopefuls, Baltimore Ravens.

With plenty at stake, here are the key matchups to watch when the Bills square off against the Ravens:

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters. Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
John Brown vs. Marcus Peters 

Wide receiver John Brown is having one of his best seasons of his career with the Bills. So far this season he has 882 yards, averaging 14.5 yards per catch, and he has caught five touchdowns. All impressive stats for who was considered a ‘burner’ by many NFL pundits. Brown has been used as a deep threat by Buffalo’s this season, but his use in the intermediate and short routes has added an extra element in Buffalo’s offense. 

Defensive back Marcus Peters joined the Baltimore Ravens via trade from the Los Angeles Rams in October. Since his arrival in Baltimore he has helped transform the Ravens secondary into one of the best in the NFL. Peters this season has five interceptions, three of them coming in a Ravens uniform. Peters is also a threat when he has the ball in the hands after the interception. Peters has three touchdowns coming off interceptions this season. 

These two will be battling throughout the game, but if Brown can get the better of a re-energized Peters it can create havoc for the Ravens defense, and open up the game for Buffalo.  

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Rockets star James Harden ranks fourth in new MVP straw poll

In a media straw poll to replicate MVP voting, James Harden now ranks fourth behind Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, and Luka Doncic.

Despite historic scoring numbers at nearly 40 points per game, Houston Rockets star James Harden might not even be in the current top three of the media’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) race for the 2019-20 NBA season.

In an ESPN straw poll released Wednesday of 101 media members representing all local NBA markets, as well as national and international reporters, Harden ranked fourth in voting behind Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks; LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers; and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks.

In terms of first-place votes, Antetokounmpo had 48, followed by 29 for James, 14 for Doncic, and nine for Harden. The complete voting breakdown can be read in the ESPN story.

It is unclear how many of the 101 media members polled will actually have MVP votes in the spring, but it does seem to capture the current sentiment with the 2019-20 season about a quarter of the way complete.

Both the Bucks and Lakers entered Wednesday with 18-3 records, which is several games better than Harden’s Rockets at 13-7. The “team success” factor is often a persuasive argument for many voters, as it seemed to be when Antetokounmpo (on the 60-22 Bucks) edged out Harden (on the 53-29 Rockets) in the 2018-19 MVP race.

But the Doncic-led Mavs entered Tuesday with an identical record to the Rockets, yet Doncic had a combined 39 first- or second-place votes from the panel, as compared to just 25 for Harden. Thus, it’s harder to explain that disparity strictly through the lens of team record.

Doncic is averaging 30.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 9.4 assists, while Harden is at 39.5 points, 7.8 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game. That 39.5 total would be the third-highest scoring season in league history, and the top mark since Wilt Chamberlain (44.8) back in 1962-63.

Now 30 years old, Harden won MVP in 2917-18 and has finished in the top two in voting after four of the last five seasons — which may contribute to voter fatigue about him. To that point, Rockets GM Daryl Morey has wondered aloud if voters will again “rob” Harden of the award.

Former MVP winner Russell Westbrook, who now stars alongside Harden in the Houston backcourt, recently suggested that media members were trying to “normalize” Harden’s historic numbers.

Fortunately for Harden and the Rockets, approximately three-quarters of the 2019-20 season remains to potentially change the current voting narrative. The easiest way for them to do that would be to win a higher percentage of games and potentially climb up the standings, which they’ll have a chance to do beginning with Thursday’s game at Toronto.

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Seahawks QB Russell Wilson reflects on having Nike shoe line

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was able to collaborate with Nike to make a shoe called Dangeruss, but for him it means more.

Athletes are taught to play for the name on the front of their jersey, not the name on the back. However, nobody said anything about the name on their shoes, and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has had the opportunity to do exactly that.

Wilson certainly isn’t wearing the Nike Dangeruss shoes on the field while he crafts his MVP-caliber season, but having a Nike shoe still is one of the most surreal experiences of his life.

“It’s been a cool experience, you think about young kids all over the world, all over the country that you want to be able to impact and have an influence on,” Wilson said. “Hopefully they look up to you, hopefully they want to be like you, hopefully they want to be better than you. That’s what I want to inspire in everybody, why not them, why not you?”

Wilson sees all that in the shoe named after him. His ability on the field has allowed him to catapult himself into an influential spot and his shoe is just another positive in the success he’s had in his career.

It means more if people wear the shoe, which according to Wilson has not been a problem.

“People loved them,” Wilson said. “It’s always cool when you have your own shoe, people shout you out. With social nowadays, you get a lot of tweets and Instagram posts, I get a lot of those and try to shout some people out occasionally. It’s always cool when fans recognize all the hard work you put into everything.”

That hard work has manifested itself to success in a career where he was seen as the underdog for so long.

In 2019, the hard work has helped Wilson not only reach MVP numbers, but also lead his team to a 9-2 record.

Week 13 brings another tough test against the Vikings, and a chance to take over the number one seed in the NFC West.

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On 31st birthday, Russell Wilson says he wants to play until he’s 45

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson reiterated on his 31st birthday that he hopes to play in the NFL until he is 45.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, celebrating his 31st birthday on Friday, reiterated to media members that he hopes to continue playing football until age 45.

“That’s just what I feel like I can do,” Wilson said. “It’s my eighth season I feel like I’m just getting started. I feel like I haven’t done anything yet. That’s a good feeling. I’m fortunate to be able to play every game and be out there every play. I just feel really young and more vibrant than ever. Arm feels great, mind feels better, heart feels even better than that. Got a great organization, great people around me. I’ve just invested in my body, my mind, making sure my mind is ready to go every week, every season and in the offseason.”

Wilson may not feel like he has done anything yet, but five Pro Bowl appearances and a Super Bowl ring is certainly not nothing. He’s also on an MVP pace so far this season, and is all but a lock to make his sixth Pro Bowl appearance as well.

Wilson takes inspiration from a handful of athletes, from a variety of sports, for his longevity goals.

“My favorite athlete is [former Yankees shortstop] Derek Jeter, I just remember when he retired playing 20 years for the New York Yankees and tipping his hat,” Wilson continued. “I think that 20 years is kind of in my head. I got a long ways to go. Eight years in and I feel better than ever. And then obviously seeing Tom [Brady] do it, I’ve gotten to know Tom over the past several years, just talking to him and seeing where he’s at. I think for me it’s realistic and I feel great.”

Wilson has had a profound impact on the game of football, as a mobile quarterback who has bucked the trend by being injury-free and not seeing his performance decline as he aged.

If he is able to play into his 40’s, he will not only be a surefire Hall of Famer, he’ll have cemented his legacy as a trendsetter for dual-threat quarterbacks.

For now, Wilson will hope to celebrate his birthday weekend with a win over Minnesota on Monday night, which would bring the Seahawks to 10-2 on the season.

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Badgers in the NFL: Russell Wilson sets NFL record in Week 12 win

Former Wisconsin Badger Russell Wilson is the only quarterback in history to post a winning record in each of his first eight NFL seasons.

Former Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Russell Wilson continued his elite season with the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles, 17-9, to move to 9-2 on the season.

The nine wins are crucial for Wilson, as it officially means he will have a winning season in 2019 – even if they lose the rest of their games.

Wilson has now officially led the Seahawks to a winning season in each of his first eight NFL seasons – and he became the first quarterback in NFL history to do so.

Most elite quarterbacks are early round picks, often on bad teams, which makes it difficult to accomplish such a feat. The Seahawks snagged Wilson late in the third round however, perhaps the greatest draft pick in franchise history.

Wilson has solidified himself as a legitimate MVP candidate this season, and while his performance against the Eagles was forgettable he is still boasting a 24-to-3 touchdown to interception ratio.

Wilson starred with the Badgers for one season in 2011, completing nearly 73 percent of his passes along with a ridiculous 33-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

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