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Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns Odds & Game Pick (2021)

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Two weeks after the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns met in primetime, the AFC North Division rivals will renew hostilities this Sunday afternoon. Given the jam-packed division standings and AFC playoff picture as a whole, this matchup looms large for both sides. Neither team has been playing their best football in recent weeks, a fact that only adds fuel to the fire to emerge from this divisional showdown victorious. After initially opening the visitors as a slight favorite, the NFL betting oddsmakers have since adjusted the line to favor the home side ahead of this Ravens vs. Browns clash.

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Details

Opening Lines: Ravens -1; O/U 45
Current Lines: Browns -2.5; O/U 43.5
Location: FirstEnergy Stadium — Cleveland, OH
Start Time: 1 p.m. EDT
TV: CBS
Last Meeting: November 28, 2021 — The Ravens defeated the Browns 16-10 in Baltimore.

Overview

The Ravens fell a two-point conversion attempt short of their third consecutive win last weekend. Instead, Baltimore had to settle for a one-point defeat at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers. After managing to beat the Browns two weeks ago despite Lamar Jackson throwing four interceptions, Sunday’s NFL betting matchup marks the Ravens’ third straight divisional affair. While John Harbaugh’s crew has managed to maintain a one-game lead in the AFC North standings, each of their three division cohorts is nipping at their heels. This week, a win would give Baltimore a season sweep of the Browns and tie them with the New England Patriots for the best record in the AFC.

Despite their strong record and continued ability to pull out wins, the Ravens face several concerns ahead of Sunday’s road game. The troubles start with Jackson and an offense that has failed to score 20 points in four straight games and five of the last six overall. Given the outlook of facing the Cleveland defense, Jackson will have to make plays through the air if the Ravens hope to break that 20-point barrier on Sunday. In a season that has been filled with injuries, the Ravens suffered another massive blow last week. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey became the latest key cog in the defensive secondary to be lost for the season. Fortunately, the Ravens’ first game without him comes against one of the more inconsistent passing attacks in the league.

The Browns have to feel like they let one get away two weeks ago in Baltimore. Cleveland became the first team in the Super Bowl era to lose a game in which they held their opponent under 350 total yards, under 17 points, and forced three interceptions. The extraordinary defensive performance was sabotaged by the inability of Baker Mayfield and the offense to generate much of anything. The Browns’ star-studded backfield duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt could only muster 36 rushing yards combined against the stingy Ravens defensive front. Of course, it is no secret that Mayfield is playing injured. However, his inability to make Baltimore respect the passing attack two weeks ago does not bode well for the franchise’s dwindling playoff hopes.

After a bye week to reminisce on what might have been in Week 12, the Browns will technically be playing two consecutive NFL betting matchups against the same opponent. While the locker room appears to have been struck with a batch of positive virus tests, the unfortunate results and pending absences have not extended to any marquee players at this point. However, Cleveland has some key injuries on both sides of the ball that bettors must monitor. Wideout Jarvis Landry was limited at practice on Thursday and is vital to the Browns reinvigorating their passing attack on Sunday. Concerning the trenches on either side of the ball, center J.C. Tretter and defensive tackle Malik Jackson are yet to practice this week.

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Trends

  • Four of the Ravens’ last five games have gone under the total.
  • Each of the Ravens’ last five road games has gone under the total.
  • Browns are just 1-4 ATS in their last five games.
  • In four of the Browns’ last five home games, the total has gone under.
  • Ravens are 4-1 ATS in their last five head-to-head matchups against the Browns.

Bottom Line

The NFL betting odds for this Ravens vs. Browns showdown have seen a noteworthy shift from opening to the time of writing. Oddsmakers initially opened the division-leading Ravens as a one-point road favorite for the second meeting between these teams in three weeks. Be in Baltimore’s loss last week or the ugly nature of their win two weeks ago that influenced the market, something triggered a flurry of sharp action on the Browns. Cleveland is now laying -2.5 points on the consensus line. Making the move even more noteworthy is that some Las Vegas sportsbooks have gone all the way to the key number of Browns -3.

Lamar Jackson will need to play better than he did two weeks ago for the Ravens to sweep the season series against Cleveland. While he probably won’t throw four interceptions again, the recent struggles of the Baltimore offense overall are very concerning. The Browns bring a solid defense to the table, particularly up front and against the run. Of course, the Ravens would prefer to run the football most of the time. Assuming Baker Mayfield emerges from the bye week on a mission to prove a point, look for the Browns to exact some revenge on Sunday. The fact that the Ravens have taken nearly half of all bets against the spread as underdogs are noteworthy. When in doubt, fading public dogs tend to pan out.

Pick: Browns -2.5

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Henry John is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Henry, check out his archive and follow him @HankTimeHenry.