Remember the begotten era of a former NFL general manager and media personality calling for Lamar Jackson to convert from quarterback to receiver during the 2018 NFL Draft? Well, tickle zero informed people shocked that he’s led the Baltimore Ravens to a point where they are only behind the San Francisco 49ers as favorites to win the Super Bowl. Yes, the Ravens Super Bowl odds are leaning toward them being the AFC favorites.
Not bad for a team allegedly led by a wide receiver playing quarterback, am I right Bill Polian?
Lamar Jackson Defying Doubters | Ravens Super Bowl Run Inbound
Ravens Super Bowl Odds
Odds via FanDuel
Ravens Super Bowl Odds: +350
OS Aggregate Odds: +350
Ravens AFC Champion: +140
Lamar Jackson MVP Odds: -2000
Expert: Joseph Nardone
Lamar Jackson Story Time
In the ever-evolving landscape of the NFL, few stories capture the essence of perseverance and undeniable talent quite like that of Lamar Jackson, the dynamic quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens. A man who is closer to a video game character come to life than a cement-footed QB old white men used to yell about as “true gunslingers” or whatever other nonsense that spewed from their coded mouths.
The journey to greatness is often riddled with challenges, and Jackson’s path to stardom is no exception. Drafted by the Ravens in 2018, his transition to the professional ranks was met with skepticism by some.
One of the most notable doubters was Bill Polian, a then-respected figure in the football community, who controversially suggested Jackson should convert to a wide receiver — a position perceived to better suit his (cough) skill set.
We will leave the question of why Polian did not push Josh Allen, another athletic talent coming out at the same time, to convert to tight end unanswered because it’s really a rhetorical question at best.
Yet, instead of being disheartened by such remarks, Jackson channeled them as fuel to elevate his game. With a rare blend of speed, agility, and football IQ, he quickly silenced the naysayers and emerged as a force to be reckoned with. His ability to dissect defenses both with his arm and legs has redefined the quarterback position, making him one of the most electrifying players to watch.
Ravens Super Bowl Odds and Jackson’s Legacy
As the phrase “traditional quarterback” is inching toward joining dinosaurs in the NFL lexicon, it’s been talents like Jackson who’ve helped push such lazy narratives down over his six years playing stellar football in the NFL. And yet, if we’re to be fair, and since QBs are largely gauged by Super Bowls or bust, Jackson still needs to do some more winning to silence the loudest of loud naysayers – because, ugh, apparently wins are a quarterback stat for some reason.
Eh, I digress. How quarterbacks get too much credit for wins and losses, ignoring the fact football is a team sport filled with variables, is another column for another time.
As the NFL Playoffs loom large, Jackson’s focus remains razor-sharp. After all, it is on this grand stage that legends are made. With a supporting cast that complements his talents and a hunger for success that is palpable (shout out to my boy Jon Rothstein), Jackson has all the ingredients to orchestrate a remarkable playoff run.
Hell, he’s perhaps on a path to make a Ravens Super Bowl victory a reality.
A Super Bowl title would not only validate Jackson’s journey but also serve as a testament to his resilience and unwavering belief in his abilities. It would be a fitting culmination to a season filled with highs and lows, triumphs and adversities. Narratively speaking, it would also be a nice feather on his cap so we can laugh for eternity at Polian’s misguided narratives … though, honestly, we should be doing that now as is.
Still, in a league where narratives shift rapidly, Jackson’s story serves as a reminder of the power of perseverance, the importance of self-belief, and the beauty of defying expectations – all of which stands in stark contrast to how people have often attempted to portray him and his abilities as a quarterback.
With the playoffs about to start, plenty of eyes will be on Lamar Jackson. Some will root for him to fail due to benign fandom while others out of hatred (or worse). Others still will root for him to win to help quell historically ignorant narratives. For Jackson, himself, it’s a chance to define his career in only his sixth season, cementing a legacy that’s still growing and will have plenty of more chances to become bigger over time.
Ravens Super Bowl Odds Final Review
Not exactly breaking news to anyone with a pulse, but if the options are a single team or the field, the field is the safer bet. We’re not operating in such a vacuum here, as we’re discussing not just any Lamar Jackson Super Bowl fun and him potentially laying waste to haters, but if the Ravens are going to actually go where few have gone before.
The Kansas City Chiefs are clearly a roadblock, as are any other AFC teams that might get hot at the right time. Still, while the focus of this piece was largely narrative-driven, focusing on Lamar Jackson and his doubters, we didn’t even mention Baltimore’s stingy defense. If push came to shove, and at this point I’m assuming you’re pushing me with the force of 1,000 Nicolas Cage movies, I’d put my money on the Ravens on FanDuel.
Ravens Super Bowl Odds Pick: Your hero* is going with the +350 on FanDuel and riding the Ravens to what will hopefully be the Lamar Jackson Super Bowl promise land.
*I am your hero, by the way.
