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Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns Odds and Game Pick (2020)

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The Cleveland Browns could finish ahead of the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North standings this year, a development no one anticipated. Cleveland is two games up with four games to play, and although the Browns have a tougher schedule down the stretch, they continue to play above expectations. The Browns are coming off a huge road win against the Tennessee Titans, a team that defeated the Ravens in last season’s playoffs and reached the AFC Championship Game. Cleveland had not beaten many high-end teams in its previous eight wins, but the Titans are the Browns’ best win to date and a sign that Cleveland might be for real. Now, though, comes a significant test of the Browns – not just a good team, but a division rival in prime time in December. The Browns, if they can beat the Titans and Ravens in consecutive weeks, would be much harder to dismiss as an AFC contender.

Compare odds from all major sportsbooks for the Ravens vs. Browns >>

Details

  • Opening Line: Ravens -2.5
  • Location: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
  • Start Time: 8:15 PM ET (Monday Night Football)
  • Last Meeting: Ravens 38 vs. Browns 6 (9/13/20)
-2.5
-112
o47
-110
-134
VIEW PICKS
+2.5
-108
u47
-110
+120

View consensus picks and matchup notes from top betting experts for the Ravens vs. Browns >>

Overview

The Ravens have struggled this season for a number of reasons, but they all go back to the offense. Lamar Jackson had an MVP season in 2019 and has regressed – partly because defenses are better at scouting him and adjusting to what he does well, but also because Baltimore has lost offensive tackle, Ronnie Stanley, for the season. Stanley was an anchor of the offensive line, and he signed a big new contract just before a midseason injury. His loss has hurt. The Ravens have also been hamstrung by the lack of a third elite receiver. Mark Andrews is a top tight end. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown is a quality wideout. The Ravens, however, still need another playmaker to enhance their passing attack to the point where Jackson can regularly find open targets. Teams anticipate the run when they play the Ravens, and if they can contain Jackson as a runner and force him to throw downfield passes, they can generally box in the Baltimore offense. The Browns will try to stop the run and dare Lamar to throw vertically on Monday night.

The Browns are winning without Odell Beckham, a sign of how well they have been able to adjust to his absence. This is also a product of Cleveland having Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt in the backfield, a durable and powerful tandem of runners that force defenses to put an extra body in the tackle box. Jarvis Landry is then able to work in man coverage and beat opposing cornerbacks.

Cleveland first-year head coach Kevin Stefanski has provided stability and intelligence in guiding quarterback Baker Mayfield. The mistakes which added up under previous coaches Hue Jackson and Freddie Kitchens have been noticeably reduced under Stefanski. The Browns’ offense still doesn’t score well on a consistent basis, but the Browns don’t commit the game-changing turnovers they used to make. Their defense has been strong this season, led by elite pass rusher Myles Garrett. Cleveland doesn’t implode anymore; it forces opponents to play clean football to win, and most of the Browns’ 2020 foes have not been able to do that. Baltimore and Lamar Jackson have been mistake-prone for much of this season; the Browns intend to force more turnovers and win a defensive battle.

Trends

  • The Ravens are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games against the AFC North.
  • The Ravens are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 road games.
  • The Browns are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games played in Week 14 of an NFL season.

Bottom Line

The Ravens aren’t nearly as good as they were last year, but this is a proving ground game for them, not just the Browns. Baltimore beat Cleveland by 32 points in the season opener. Cleveland will play a lot better, but Baltimore will still have the winning answers in the fourth quarter of a close game.

Pick: Ravens -2

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Dave Golokhov is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Dave, check out his archive and follow him @davegolokhov.