33 replies to this topic

[callahan09]

http://www.examiner....tes-ravens-14-1

Looking at this list, I see the following teams with better odds than the Ravens:

1. New England Patriots
2. San Francisco 49ers
3. Denver Broncos
4. Green Bay Packers
5. Houston Texans
6. Seattle Seahawks

And tied for the same odds as the Ravens:

7. Pittsburgh Steelers
8. Baltimore Ravens

How common is it for the defending Super Bowl champion to be that far down the odds list for winning it the next season? 49ers just lost the Super Bowl, and are ranked as twice as likely as the Ravens (7 to 1, versus 14 to 1). Seahawks above Ravens surprises me a lot. Steelers didn't even make the play-offs this year and they get the same odds as the defending Super Bowl champs?

Funny stuff. I like it. We were underdogs all season and won it this year, let's be underdogs next season too.

[Inqui]

What you have to remember is that the odds are based less on actual chances and more on perception. The bookies can get away with having lower odds for the first four teams because the public loves them. If you can theoretically get at 1.5 to 1 you'd set the odds like that to reduce the payout to the winner. Everyone remembers the late run of the Seahawks and thinks the Texans can easily improve on their season.

When your casual fan looks at the Ravens, they see a team likely to lose Ray Lewis and Ed Reed and one that had a few things go right at the right time that you won't be able to count on next year (Ray's retirement springs to mind). And that's BEFORE you get into the reasons why it's hard to back up a SB-winning season.

[nyc9192]

Its all good bro.They think that once we lose ray well be 0-16.What they never cared to research is that we got healty at the end of the year and in the playoffs.Its hard to repeat but im sure that Ozzie,DeCosta,Steve and John are gonna try and get the best roster for the upcoming season with resignings,draft picks and new free agents!We'll always be underdogs and I think our boys love it that way.

[funky141]

what do you expect.. your losing a leader in Ray Lewis and possible Ed Reed and many more.

[descent into the maelstrom]

No surprise.

Note that the top three teams are the three most recent teams that we defeated.

Our defense was criticized the past few years for being too old. Next year it will be younger and will be criticized for being too inexperienced. Or something like that.

[jdynamite]

Well the odds are what they should be, repeat Superbowl champs don't happen often and free agency and huge contracts often affect a teams roster making it difficult to keep a core group of players together. Also Superbowl teams and playoff caliber teams usually lose key role players to other teams that over pay for them to be their starters etc.

I've never liked being favored anyway.
Besides look at Superbowl history just the last few years none of Superbowl champs were favored to win a thing even when the playoffs began.

[GrimCoconut]

It's called the Super Bowl hangover. It's common and it happens. It's rare to repeat your title. It's hard. We can do it. I believe it. But it will be a challenge because of our free agents. It will be a challenge but I believe we can. We're also losing Ray Lewis.

[EnVy_CaLiBeR]

Not surprised.

I'm glad we went got the ring with Ed Reed, Ray Lewis and almost everyone on board but we still have our holes. We're losing Ray, Kruger possibly (and we don't know if Upshaw will develop into the pass rusher Kruger was or if Suggs can return to his complete dominant form. Along with the fact that there's not much behind Suggs and Upshaw), potentially Ed so we could possibly need a future safety, still need a franchise LT, a new nose tackle, etc. Our offense is mostly intact but our defense still needs some help. It'll be interesting to see how Oz will fill the holes.

[Cville-Raven]

It's going to be a difficult Offseason so I can't really blame them, not to mention how difficult our schedule is next year. As long as the O can be more consistent we should be a contender. Hopefully a good draft class will bring some quality young talent. I have a feeling the team is going to reload.

[Cville-Raven]

Well the odds are what they should be, repeat Superbowl champs don't happen often and free agency and huge contracts often affect a teams roster making it difficult to keep a core group of players together. Also Superbowl teams and playoff caliber teams usually lose key role players to other teams that over pay for them to be their starters etc.

I've never liked being favored anyway.
Besides look at Superbowl history just the last few years none of Superbowl champs were favored to win a thing even when the playoffs began.

the only team that has been recently favored to repeat was that 2011 packers team that went 15-1

[hawkprey]

Get ready to hear about how our D is too young.

[Token]

With all the players we have that could be potentially leaving or getting cut, I'm not surprised.

[JohnnyBoy8102]

Not surprised at all.

This is still a very early list. I am sure there will be a decent amount of change after the draft, free agency, injuries, etc.

[usmccharles]

We shouldnt be honestly. Its so hard to repeat as superbowl champs and lewis and birk will be retiring, possibly lose reed and kruger...etc

Edited by usmccharles, 05 February 2013 - 02:05 PM.

[UMDan]

Again, who cares? We're always the underdog and I kind of like it that way when Super Bowl victory is the result.

[AsianRice]

2 tickets to paradise!!!!!

[Ravensfan23]

Guys, it's tough for Super Bowl Champions to even repeat as playoff participants. I think the last Super Bowl Champ to actually win a playoff game the year after was the Patriots the year they repeated almost 10 years ago. So it's tough.

The Ravens as a organization will have to quickly Celebrate and then turn their attention to the Draft and FA process. Players will only have about 2-3 months before they get back on the grind.

I personally don't think the Ravens will have a issue being the hunted, because they generally play up and down to the level of competition, and they'll get everyone's best next year. But it's gonna be tough for the Ravens because they don't play in a cupcake division and they'll have a pretty tough out of division schedule. Should be fun.

[The Raven]

Seattle and PITTSBURGH ahead of us?

I love to be hated!!!

[JO_75]

Let's see how Free Agency and The Draft shakes things up before determining who is a Super Bowl favorite.

[Sizzlebshu]

http://www.examiner....tes-ravens-14-1

Looking at this list, I see the following teams with better odds than the Ravens:

1. New England Patriots
2. San Francisco 49ers
3. Denver Broncos
4. Green Bay Packers
5. Houston Texans
6. Seattle Seahawks

And tied for the same odds as the Ravens:

7. Pittsburgh Steelers
8. Baltimore Ravens

How common is it for the defending Super Bowl champion to be that far down the odds list for winning it the next season? 49ers just lost the Super Bowl, and are ranked as twice as likely as the Ravens (7 to 1, versus 14 to 1). Seahawks above Ravens surprises me a lot. Steelers didn't even make the play-offs this year and they get the same odds as the defending Super Bowl champs?

Funny stuff. I like it. We were underdogs all season and won it this year, let's be underdogs next season too.

Losing players will do this.