The odds for the AFC Championship Game have shifted in favor of the Baltimore Ravens, with the line reaching -4.5 on the morning of Sunday, January 28. This exceeds the spread agreed upon by experts at the beginning.

Mahomes, widely regarded as one of the most formidable quarterbacks in the league, is set to assume the role of an outsider for only the 12th time in his illustrious career. This development starkly contrasts his previous 73 appearances, during which the Chiefs have never been considered a team expected to lose by three or more points. The last time the Chiefs faced such odds was in Mahomes' third appearance during the 2018 season, marking a 4.5-point underdog scenario against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Despite the rarity of this situation, Mahomes has a remarkable track record when playing as the less favored team. In 11 previous instances, the Chiefs emerged victorious in 8 matches, showcasing their ability to outperform expectations regarding point differentials.

He has excelled in the role of the less favored team, with the Chiefs emerging victorious in 8 of the 11 matches where they were considered underdogs, demonstrating a solid track record in point differentials. Recent data shows a surge in significant wagers on the Ravens in the past week. BetMGM, a renowned betting platform, received a substantial $175,000 bet, favoring the Ravens to triumph over the Chiefs. Similarly, Caesars Sportsbook received a hefty $100,000 bet on Baltimore's potential victory in the Super Bowl. Furthermore, the favored team in the NFC Championship Game, the San Francisco 49ers, witnessed their point spread widen from -7 to -7.5 in particular sportsbooks. Despite significant backing from the betting community for the unfavored Detroit Lions, the number of point spread wagers placed on the Lions surpasses that of the 49ers by over two-fold.

BetMGM reports that the Lions' money line and spread wagers are highly favored, with 71% of spread wagers and 89% of money line wagers attributed to Detroit. However, notable high-net-worth individuals are still supporting the San Francisco 49ers. South Point casino disclosed that a substantial $110,000 wager was placed on the 49ers earlier in the week.

As the AFC and NFC Championship Games unfold, these unexpected odds and betting trends increase the excitement for an already highly anticipated football weekend. Fans and bettors alike will be eagerly watching to see if Mahomes can defy the odds again and lead the Chiefs to victory or if the Ravens will continue their momentum toward a potential Super Bowl appearance.