The Cleveland Browns (+6) are heading east to face their AFC North foe Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. CBS is scheduled to televise the action and this early afternoon game kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Week 4 Betting Preview: Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Browns enter into this Sunday AFC game as the dog here and they’re currently getting 6 points. The Browns are also receiving +190 moneyline odds while the Ravens are -230. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 46 points, and if one team catches a lucky break early, it’ll likely produce a nice in-game betting opportunity.
Early action has been shifting toward the Ravens. The opening line was originally -5 while the O/U was set initially at 46.5.
The less-than-stellar Browns are 1-2 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 2.2 units so far in 2019. The team’s posted an Over-Under record of 1-2.
The Ravens have gained 1.0 unit for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 1-2 ATS and have an O/U record of 2-1.
The Browns are 1-2 straight up (SU) and they have yet to face any AFC North opponents this year. The Ravens are 2-1 SU overall and also 0-0 SU against divisional foes.
The Browns look to get back on track after a 20-13 defeat to the Rams last week where their secondary allowed the Rams to air it out for 269 yards and two touchdowns. Brandin Cooks logged a productive day for the Rams in that one with 112 yards on eight catches. On the offense, Baker Mayfield completed only 18-of-36 passes for 195 yards, as well as a TD and an interception. Nick Chubb (96 rushing yards on 23 attempts) spearheaded the ground attack. Odell Beckham Jr. (six receptions, 56 yards) and Chubb (four catches, 35 yards) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
Baltimore just suffered a 33-28 loss to Kansas City in Week 3. The defense let the Chiefs pass for 374 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 140 yards. Darrel Williams put up a good outing for Kansas City, recording 62 rushing yards on nine attempts, along with 47 yards on five catches. For Baltimore, Lamar Jackson completed 22-of-43 passes for 267 yards. Mark Ingram II (103 yards on 16 rush attempts, three TDs) handled the running attack while Nick Boyle (four receptions, 58 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Cleveland’s run the ball on 37.4 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Baltimore has an overall rush percentage of 51.2 percent. The Browns have produced 89 rush yards per game (including 0 per game versus North opponents) and have two touchdowns on the ground this year. The Ravens are averaging 216.7 rushing yards per game (0 in conference) and have six total rush TDs.
If 2019 numbers are any indication, then it seems like the Ravens might hold an edge in all aspects of the ground game, as their running backs has produced 5.9 yards per carry while the defense has allowed a YPC of 3.7 to opponents. The Browns have tallied 4.1 yards per carry while allowing 4.0 YPC to opponents.
The Browns offensive scheme has averaged 268.3 yards in the air overall (0 per game against conference opposition) and has three passing scores so far. The Ravens have put up 306 pass yards per contest (0 against AFC competition) and have eight total pass TDs.
Cleveland appears to have an advantage when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 102 yards and pass for 239.3 yards per game. The Baltimore defense has given up 304.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 60.3 yards per game to opposing runners. The Browns are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 6.31 to opponents, while the Ravens have allowed a 7.42 ANY/A.
Offensively, Mayfield is up to 480 passing yards this season. He’s completed 58 percent of his 74 attempts with two scores through the air and four interceptions. He has a 3.40 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 5.58 over the past two games.
Lamar Jackson has completed 39-of-63 passes for 591 yards, five TDs and zero INTs for Baltimore. His ANY/A sits at 10.03 for the year and 6.44 over his last two outings.
Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens NFL Prediction
SU Winner: Ravens, ATS Winner: Browns, O/U: Over
Team Betting Notes
- The Browns offense has produced one pass play of 40 or more yards, while the Ravens have put up three such plays.
- The Cleveland defense has allowed three pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Baltimore has given up four such plays.
- The Cleveland offense has created zero rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Baltimore has created three such runs.
- The Browns defense has allowed zero rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Ravens have given up two such runs.
- The Cleveland D has 10 sacks on the year while Baltimore has seven.
- Cleveland, as a team, has averaged 3.7 yards per carry over its last two contests.
- Baltimore has averaged 5.9 yards per carry over its last two.
- In its last three matchups, Baltimore is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Cleveland’s last game was set at 48. The under cashed in the team’s 20-13 defeat to the Rams.
- In its last three matchups, Cleveland is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Baltimore’s last outing going into it was 52. The over cashed in that 33-28 loss to Kansas City.