When the Baltimore Ravens came back from 16 points down in the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night, they set off a chain reaction of events that include NFL betting.
Lamar Jackson MVP futures were among those lines to see the greatest effects.
The odds for Jackson winning that award this year shortened drastically after the game. It’s a great reminder that maximizing futures bets is as much about timing as it is making the right picks.
The latest Lamar Jackson MVP futures odds
Among future expected Maryland sportsbooks, Jackson sat as high as +2500 in these markets prior to Baltimore’s 31-25 win on Monday. As of Tuesday afternoon, here’s where he sits in the same field:
- BetMGM Sportsbook: +1200
- Caesars Sportsbook: +1000
- FanDuel Sportsbook: +1200
Jackson currently ranks fifth among QBs in the league in passing yards and has accounted for nine touchdowns. He’s also eighth in the NFL in rushing yards. Plus he has the Ravens off to a 4-1 start, leading the AFC North division.
True to form, Baltimore team futures have been on the move, as well. They’ve gone the same direction as the odds on Jackson winning his first MVP award.
Ravens’ division, AFC, and Super Bowl futures after Week 5
FanDuel now has the Ravens at -125 odds to hold onto their lead in the AFC North, with the Cleveland Browns sitting with the second-shortest odds at +140. Caesars still has Baltimore +550 to win the AFC championship, though, behind the Buffalo Bills at +250.
In BetMGM’s Super Bowl LVI winner market, the Ravens are +1200. Before the season started, Baltimore was +1400 to win it all. That means for Baltimore, there might still be some solid value for those who haven’t bought into them in futures markets yet.
The Ravens have an early-season showdown with the AFC-West leading Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday (1 p.m., CBS). That looks like the toughest contest left on Baltimore’s schedule among remaining AFC opponents.
If the Ravens prevail in that game, these future odds could shorten further. Thus, now might be the time to buy in before the potential payout worsens. While that currently isn’t an option for MD residents unless they leave their state, that might change soon.
Retail sportsbook launches could be imminent
Last week, the MD Lottery and Gaming Control Commission approved three licenses for a Maryland sportsbook at casinos in the state. The MD Sports Wagering Application Review Commission has a meeting this Thursday, at which it could do the same.
If that happens, half of the state’s six casinos would have regulatory clearance to start accepting wagers in-person. Those casinos would be:
All three casinos have been actively preparing their future sportsbook spaces and thus could be ready quickly after approval. Given that the SWARC and MLGCC use the same criteria to judge fitness for licensure, approval on Thursday seems likely.
It’s unlikely that Lamar Jackson MVP or other Ravens-related futures will shorten any more between now and Thursday’s meeting. However, if the team’s high level of play continues, this week could see more of the same.
