The Baltimore Ravens (-3) are traveling west to take on their AFC North nemesis Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Interested parties can tune in to the action on CBS and this early afternoon matchup is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens
Cleveland enters this AFC game as the underdog and is currently receiving 3 points. The Ravens are also receiving -150 moneyline odds while the Browns are +130. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 47.5 points, and if one side can create a bunch of points early on, it would probably lead to a nice in-game betting scenario.
Sharp bettors have been hammering both the Ravens and the over. The opening line was originally 0 while the total was set initially at only 46.
The profitable Ravens have gained 2.2 units so far in 2018 and are 3-1 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 2-2.
The Browns have lost 1.0 unit for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 3-1 ATS and also have an even O/U record of 2-2.
The Ravens are 3-1 straight up (SU), including 1-1 SU against AFC North opponents. The Browns are 1-2-1 SU overall and 0-0 SU versus divisional foes.
The Ravens are coming off a resounding 26-14 victory over Pittsburgh last week. Joe Flacco completed 28 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns. Alex Collins (42 rushing yards on 11 attempts) and Javorius Allen (30 yards on 10 carries) led the ground attack in the win while Willie Snead IV (six receptions, 56 yards) and Maxx Williams (five catches, 51 yards) manned the receiving duties.
In Week 4, Oakland got the victory against this Cleveland team by a score of 45-42. The Browns defense let the Raiders pass for 437 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 139 yards. Marshawn Lynch put up a good outing in the win for Oakland, posting 130 rushing yards on 20 attempts. For Cleveland, Baker Mayfield completed 21-of-41 passes for 295 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Carlos Hyde (82 rushing yards on 22 attempts, one TD) handled the ground attack in the defeat while David Njoku (five receptions, 52 yards) and Duke Johnson Jr. (four catches, 45 yards) led the pass-catching corps.
Baltimore has run the ball on 39.4 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Cleveland has a rush percentage of 46.6 percent. The Ravens have rushed for 89.0 yards per game (including 81.0 per game versus North opponents) and have six touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Browns are averaging 152.8 rush yards per game (177.0 in conference) and have eight total rushing TDs.
The Ravens offensive scheme has averaged 319.0 yards in the air overall (369.5 per game against conference opposition) and has eight passing scores so far. The Browns have recorded 239.5 pass yards per contest (197 in the AFC) and have four total pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Baltimore should have the upper hand in both facets. The team has allowed 82.5 rush yards and 207.3 pass yards per game. The Cleveland defense has given up 296.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 116.8 yards per game to opposing runners. The Ravens are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 4.17 to opponents, while the Browns have given up a 5.30 ANY/A.
Offensively, Flacco is up to 975 passing yards on the year, and has connected on 65 percent of his 131 attempts with seven scores through the air and only two interceptions. He’s got a 7.25 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 7.91 over the last two games.
John Brown (252 receiving yards, three receiving touchdowns on the year), Alex Collins (90 rush yards, one rush TD, one receiving TD) and Willie Snead IV (159 receiving yards, one TD) have each played significant roles lately.
Baker Mayfield has connected on 21-of-41 passes for 295 yards, two TDs and two INTs for Cleveland. His ANY/A stands at 5.33 for the season and 6.30 over his past two games.
We expect the Browns to control tempo by getting the ball in the hands of their running backs. Along with WR Jarvis Landry (209 receiving yards, one receiving TD this season), Carlos Hyde (187 rush yards, three rush TDs) and Nick Chubb (140 rush yards, two rush TDs) have been key factors in the Browns’ recent offensive gameplans.
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Betting Prediction
SU Winner: Browns, ATS Winner: Browns, O/U: Under
Team Betting Trends
- The Cleveland defense has sacked opposing QBs 12 times this year. Baltimore has registered 10 sacks.
- Cleveland has lost two fumbles this season while Baltimore has let three get away.
- Each team has produced three pass plays of 40 or more yards. The Ravens have have made five pass plays of 30+ yards while the Browns have accounted for six such plays.
- The Baltimore defense has allowed zero pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Cleveland has given up two such plays.
- The Baltimore offense has created zero rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Cleveland has created six such runs.
- The Ravens defense has allowed two rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Browns have given up three such runs.
- Cleveland was favored by 3 points in its previous game and the Over/Under going into it was 44.5. The over cashed and Cleveland did not cover in the 45-42 loss to Oakland.
- Over its last three contests, Cleveland is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- Over its last three contests, Baltimore is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- Baltimore was favored by 3 points in its last game and the Over/Under was set at 51.5. The under cashed and Baltimore covered in the 26-14 win over Pittsburgh.
- As a team, Baltimore has averaged 2.9875 yards per carry over its past three games and 3.0 over its last two.
- Cleveland has averaged 4.8 yards per carry over its last three outings and 5.3 over its past two.
