we got speed razor and his arcade androids
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Kyle Shanahan’s #1 offense matches up with Mike MacDonald’s #1 defense tonight.
The Ravens and 49ers have combined to outscore their opponents by 350 points this season, the highest total entering a matchup in Monday Night Football history.
Brock Purdy is the MVP favorite at -200, per Bet MGM. Lamar Jackson is second at +500.
Since they’re on the road tonight, John Harbaugh gave his Ravens team an early Christmas gift: a pinball machine.
Marlon Humphry said he was surprised some of the younger Ravens didn’t know what a pinball machine is.
Today, every new pinball machine (including this Godzilla one) comes from a single Stern Pinball factory in the Chicago suburbs, where factory workers assemble several thousand parts, largely by hand
New Jersey native and former first round draft pick for the Ravens, Odafe Oweh, might have been hesitant to play yesterday. In Ocean City, New Jersey, it is illegal to play pinball on Sundays.
Bernie Kosar, former QB for the Cowboys and Browns, used to play pinball every Thursday night at The Tam O’Shanter Bar and Grill in Lakewood.
“He comes in for dinner and a draft and to play pinball every Thursday after the team film sessions are over,” Tom Gannon, who owned and operated the place, said. “He gets a buzz out of it.”
Another QB with an arcade game connection is John Elway and his game, John Elway's Quarterback.
Not many still exist today, but if you find yourself with some Christmas cash and don’t know where to spend it…
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4: The Patriots will drop from having the No. 2 overall pick to the No. 4 overall pick after their win over Denver. The Top-4 is now as follows: 1. Bears (via Carolina) 2. Cardinals 3. Commanders 4. Patriots
3: Baker Mayfield’s last three games:
947 passing yards
8 TDs
0 INTs
3-0
3: Joe Flacco has now thrown for more than 300 yards in 3 straight games for the first the in his career.
4214: Tua now has both the most passing yards (4214) and the highest completion percentage (70.5%) this season
2022 [TRIVIA]: For the first time since September 25, 2022, WHICH TEAM has defeated a team with a winning record?
Quotes
“That’s what you get when you play the Packers.”
Adam Thielen on the unsuccessful challenge
"I really think it goes to show the rest of the world the type of player Kirk is. At the end of the day, this is a tough league. ... It's tough not having 8 out there, the captain that he is, the leader that he is. He's a great player."
"I got a lot of respect for Chad. I joked with him after he made that long one, I said 'hey if you didn't make that one, I'd have to break my foot off in your behind' --- all jokes" ..
Ezekiel Elliott on Chad Ryland's game-winning field goal
“You didn't give us time, you just spotted the ball, you gotta give us a chance!!”
Bill Belichick as the broadcast goes to commercial
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Picks
Monday, 12/25 @ 1pm
Raiders (+11) at Chiefs
The Raiders have 50% of the bets and 59% of the money: +9% differential
Kansas City's pass defense, initially stingy in the early season, has sprung leaks in recent weeks. From Weeks 1-10, they boasted a strong -16.6% DVOA against the pass. However, that figure has ballooned to a concerning -3.3% in Weeks 11-15, barely eclipsing league average. This decline is particularly worrisome considering their existing struggles against the run (30th in the league at 4.56 yards per carry).
Signs of regression are evident across the unit. In Week 12, the Raiders carved up the Chiefs secondary for a hefty 6.2 yards per play. Further, back-to-back losses in Weeks 13 and 14 saw them surrender over 700 total yards to the Packers and Bills, respectively. While last week's performance against the Patriots included some improvement, it's crucial to remember New England's own offensive shortcomings this season.
Monday, 12/25 @ 4:30pm
Giants at Eagles (-13.5)
The Under has 60% of the bets and 68% of the money: +8% differential
The Eagles face a vulnerable New York Giants defense, ranked 25th in DVOA. Last week, Derek Carr shredded them for his best game of the season. Plus, the Giants struggle mightily against the run, a perfect matchup for Philadelphia's potent rushing attack.
Monday, 12/25 @ 8:15pm
Ravens at 49ers U46
The Under has 19% of the bets and 28% of the money: +9% differential
Explosive Lamar:
Underdog Domination: Jackson boasts a stellar 15-1 record against the spread (ATS) when either an underdog or favored by less than a field goal.
NFC Nightmare: Against the NFC, Jackson has been nearly unstoppable, amassing a 19-1 straight-up (SU) record throughout his career. Expect this stat to be a recurring theme pre-game.
Decoding the Defense:
Facing the Unfamiliar: Teams facing Jackson for the first time often struggle early, needing time to adjust to his electrifying speed and elusive style.
Cover 2/3 Kryptonite: San Francisco's reliance on Cover 2 and 3 schemes could prove problematic. Under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Jackson has feasted on these coverages this season.
Road Warriors:
Dominating Away: The Ravens have been road warriors this year, posting a 6-1 record while surrendering the fewest points (14.4) and yards (270.3) in the league on opposing turf.
Record
ATS: 42-43-4 (-4.78u)
O/U: 31-35-3 (-6.79u)
Highlights
Chad Ryland against all odds nails the 56-Yard Field Goal right down the middle with plenty of leg to spare to put New England up by 3 with 2 seconds left
Justin Jefferson makes an absurd catch in Double Coverage on 3rd and 27 for a First Down
Ezekiel Elliott turns back the clock catching the short pass, hurdling a defender, and diving for the Touchdown
Baker Mayfield hits a strike to Mike Evans who makes a great grab for the touchdown
Trivia
The Miami Dolphins
Week 3 of 2022 was when the Dolphins beat the then- 2-1 Bills for their most recent win over a team with a winning record. Yesterday’s 22-20 victory over the 10-4 Cowboys ends this streak.
2022
Week 6: 4-1 Minnesota, 24-16
Week 13: 7-4 San Francisco, 33-17
Week 15: 10-3 Buffalo, 32-29
Wild Card Playoffs: 13-3 Buffalo, 34-31
2023
Week 3: 3-0 Buffalo, 48-20
Week 7: 5-1 Philadelphia, 31-17
Week 9: 6-2 Kansas City, 21-14