Week 15 of NFL action brings AFC North division rivals the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns together in what should be an interesting game. The Ravens come in with questions about who in their QB room is healthy, while the Browns enter with questions about the Watson deal. With more history in this rivalry than most NFL matchups, this is bound to be a great game.
Ravens vs. Browns Game Info and Analysis
Matchup Info
The Ravens currently sit in a tie for the top of the AFC North in the NFL standings, while the Browns sit in 3rd place. Though Cleveland’s playoff hopes are all but dead, they could put a damper on Baltimore’s postseason ambitions with a win over their rivals. A rivalry built in 1996 when the then-Browns packed up and moved to Baltimore to become the Ravens. There will be no love lost in this matchup, as both teams will come in with nothing but getting a win on their mind.
Baltimore Ravens Performance Recap and Analysis
The Baltimore Ravens are coming off a narrow victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 16-14 game. The Ravens only threw the ball 17 times due to injuries at the QB position. The offense was powered by J.K Dobbins, who put up amazing NFL player stats, getting 120 yards and a TD on 15 carries, and Gus Edwards, who got 66 yards on 13 carries.
The Baltimore Defense came through with flying colors holding the Steelers to 65 yards on the ground and intercepting Trubisky 3 times which is great for any defense but especially this Ravens defense which has been struggling against the pass this year, currently ranked 26th in the league in pass yards allowed.
Key Injuries
All eyes will be on the QB room in Baltimore as both Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley both are currently on the NFL injury report. There is hope that Huntley is ready for this week’s game, but if he cannot play, the reigns will be in the hands of 3rd string QB Anthony Brown.
Betting Trends to Know
The Ravens are 2-3 against the spread since the start of November.
Cleveland Browns Performance Recap and Analysis
The Browns are coming off a disappointing loss in the Battle for Ohio, losing to the Bengals 23-10. The Browns elected not to run the football on offense even though they’ve been putting up great NFL team stats in the run game. Chubb was given the ball 14 times for only 34 yards, while Watson threw the ball 42 times, completing 26 for 276 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. Watson needs to play better if he wants to improve the Browns’ standings before the end of the season.
The Browns’ defense showed last week that it could hold its own against the passing attack. However, they just can’t get anything productive done against the run. Currently, towards the bottom in all run defense categories, this could be a huge issue against a Ravens offense that showed last week to have a pretty lethal run game if they’re allowed to get going, which should be no problem against this Browns team.
Key Injuries
The Browns currently have 19 players either listed as Out on the NFL injury report or on the Browns’ IR. This late in the season, the Brown’s depth chart is being held together by duct tape and bubble gum.
Betting Trends to Know
The Browns have covered the past two home games they’ve played.
Baltimore Ravens vs Cleveland Browns Odds
The NFL odds have the Cleveland Browns as -2.5 point favorites, with their moneyline being set at -145. The Ravens’ odds on the moneyline are currently set at +125. The point total is set at 37.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns Betting Picks
Moneyline (BAL +125)
Regardless of who is taking the snaps for the Ravens, they’ll be handing the ball off to Dobbins and Edwards, who will be the main producing factors for this offense, which plays straight into the weakness of this Brown’s defense. Get your action in early on these Ravens vs Browns betting picks, as the lines will move throughout the week as more news on Huntley’s progression comes out.
Over/Under (O 37)
This line is a little high for my liking, and I recommend shopping around for a 36.5 total, as I could see the game ending at 37 points easily. With that being said, I do think that the Ravens will put up more points than expected, as I don’t expect too much of a difference in production, even if Brown is under-center starting his first game.
Spread (BAL +2.5)
As I have the Ravens winning, I also have them covering this small spread as an underdog. Even if the Browns find a way to win this one, I think the game will still be incredibly close, which makes the Ravens spread of +2.5 my favorite of my Ravens vs Browns betting picks.
Ravens vs. Browns Score Prediction
I have the Ravens clawing out a close victory over their rivals, winning 21-17. I expect the run game to be a major difference and expect the Ravens RBs to have a big day, and will keep that in mind while making my Ravens vs Browns betting picks.
NFL Pick: BAL +125, O 37, BAL +2.5
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