Vegas odds switch for Ravens at Bills

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Doug Kezirian | Last updated Jan 15, 2025 4:31 PM ET

Once the Buffalo Bills advanced on Sunday afternoon and the next week's playoff opponent was confirmed, the Bills were installed as one-point home favorites over the Baltimore Ravens. However, the following morning, the betting odds shifted to make Baltimore a one-point road favorite and that is where things stand now, although DraftKings and FanDuel have the Ravens as 1.5-point favorites.

Several reasons can cause a point spread to shift. Sometimes news can surface, such as an injury, causing oddsmakers to adjust the odds. However, typically it is caused by a specific wager, and that is what occurred on Monday. A respected bettor wagered on the Ravens +1 so the oddsmakers at that particular sportsbook shifted the odds. When that happens, other sportsbooks shift their odds and adjust with the betting market. That domino effect is how the market stays consistent.

Some people may forget these teams faced off in Week 4 of the regular season. The 1-2 Ravens dominated undefeated Buffalo at home. On Baltimore's first play from scrimmage, Derrick Henry had an 87-yard rushing touchdown and finished with 199 yards in a 35-10 rout.

Both teams are led by star quarterbacks Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. They have arguably been the two best players all season and are the two MVP front-runners.

The two fan bases have encountered heartbreaking losses in recent years, while the Bills franchise still has yet to win a Super Bowl. Patrick Mahomes has been the biggest obstacle in recent years and the winner of Sunday's game will likely have to defeat him and the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in the AFC Championship Game, assuming KC defeats the Houston Texans on Saturday.

While I understand the itch to wager on such an enjoyable game, I do not see an edge to place a wager on either team. However, I am betting a proposition bet of Jackson going under 28.5 pass attempts. The Bills struggle defending the run and Baltimore's calling card is the rushing attack so that insinuates a likely game script. The Ravens figure to go to battle with Henry and designed runs for Jackson. Plus, Jackson led the NFL in yards per attempt so it's not an offense that is designed to matriculate up the field on short passes.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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