For just the second time this season, the Baltimore Ravens will be entering a game as underdogs. Despite boasting an impressive 11-3 record, tied for the best in the NFL, the Ravens are faced with a 4.5-point underdog status for their Christmas night matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

The Ravens are relishing their underdog position, with several players using it as fuel to motivate themselves for the upcoming game. Safety Kyle Hamilton expressed his dissatisfaction with the oddsmakers' prediction, stating, "We feel a little disrespected by that... We have an opportunity in front of the country to show that we are the best team in the league."

Cornerback Marlon Humphrey echoed these sentiments, saying, "I was surprised to see that... I definitely want to make that incorrect for sure."

Interestingly, the Ravens have only been underdogs once this season, back in Week 2 when they faced the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite being favored by 3.5 points, the Bengals fell short as the Ravens claimed a 27-24 victory, proving their abilities to overcome the odds.

This will be the fifth game in Lamar Jackson's career as the starting quarterback where the Ravens have been underdogs by four points or more. In these previous matchups, the Ravens have achieved a straight-up record of 2-2 and an impressive 3-1 record against the spread, highlighting their resilience and ability to outperform expectations.

Jackson himself embraces the underdog role, stating, "I like being the underdog...I believe we play better when we're doubted and people aren't choosing us to win the game." Jackson's confidence is backed by his career record of 9-4 as an underdog, showcasing his ability to rise to the occasion.

Furthermore, Jackson boasts an exceptional 19-1 career record against NFC teams, cementing his status as one of the most dominant quarterbacks in the league. This record gives him the highest winning percentage (.950) in NFL history for a quarterback against a team from the opposite conference.

As the Ravens prepare to face the 49ers, they remain undeterred by their underdog status. The team's collective motivation and determination to prove their worth will be on display as they strive to maintain their top position in the NFL standings.

In what promises to be an intense and thrilling battle, the Ravens and their underdog mentality will be put to the test against the formidable 49ers. With players like Jackson leading the charge, football fans can anticipate an exhilarating game.