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Ravens Have Emerged as Dark Horse Contender to Win AFC

By Iain MacMillan

Oct 27, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) drops back to
Oct 27, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) drops back to / Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
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You're not going to find many people who will argue that the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Cheifs are the top two teams in the AFC, but plenty of people will argue who the "next best" squad is.

After Week 10, I would argue that it's the Baltimore Ravens.

Sitting at 6-3 and in first place of the AFC North, it's the Ravens who you should consider betting on to come out of the AFC in February.

Let's dive into their odds.

Ravens Odds to Win the AFC

Oddsmakers seem to agree, setting the Ravens at +750 to win the conference behind only the Bills and Chiefs. But, do Buffalo or Kansas City really have value at their current odds? I don't think so.

Let's not forget that the Ravens played the Bills to a 23-20 nail biter back in Week 4. We won't see them take on the Chiefs in the regular season, but you can be assured that they would hang tough with Patrick Mahomes and company as well.

Ravens Boast Top Rushing Attack in NFL

A big reason for the Ravens success, and one of the reasons why they'll be dangerous come playoff time, is their ability to run the ball.

They lead the league in yards per carry, averaging 5.5 yards per rush. They are also behind only the Chicago bears in total rushing yards per game, averaging 168.1.

Baltimore Still in Discussing for No. 1 Seed in AFC

Although many people assume the top seed in the conference, which is awarded with home field advantage, is going to go to the Bills or Ravens. That may not be the case. The Ravens are still very much in the discussion for the No. 1 seed.

The main thing they have going for them is that they have the easiest remaining schedule left in the NFL, based on opponent win percentage. The only remaining opponent on their schedule that has a winning record is a rematch against the Bengals.

After that, they have games against the Panthers, two against the Steelers, the Jaguars, Browns, Broncos, and Falcons. Not exactly a murderers row. In fact, the average wine percentage of their remaining oppoents is .353.

If they can win a majority of those games, and the Bills and Chiefs lose two more times each, the Ravens will be in control of the top spot in the conference.

With that, comes an inside track to the Super Bowl.

At +750? I'd be willing to take a shot.

You can track Iain's bets on Betstamp here.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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