The Baltimore Ravens (-3) are set to pay a visit to their AFC North counterpart Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. This early afternoon game kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET and CBS is in line to televise the action.
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Betting Preview
In this Sunday AFC game, Baltimore is getting picked as the favorite and is currently giving up 3 points. The Ravens are also receiving -150 moneyline odds while the Browns are +130. Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 47.5 points. There should be some decent live betting opportunities while the game’s underway.
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The early action has been leaning toward both the Ravens and the over. The line initially opened at 0 while the O/U was originally 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 Over-Under 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 against divisional foes.
The Ravens are trying to maintain momentum following a solid 26-14 win over Pittsburgh in Week 4 where their secondary let the Steelers throw for 274 yards. Vance McDonald had a productive day for the Steelers in that one with 62 yards on five catches. On the offensive side, 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) mounted the ground attack while Willie Snead IV (six receptions, 56 yards) and Maxx Williams (five catches, 51 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
In Week 4, Oakland took care of this Cleveland team by a score of 45-42. The Browns defensive unit allowed the Raiders to pass for 437 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 139 yards. Marshawn Lynch had a productive outing for Oakland, recording 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) led the running game as David Njoku (five receptions, 52 yards) and Duke Johnson Jr. (four catches, 45 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Baltimore has run the ball on 39.4 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Cleveland has an overall rush percentage of 46.6 percent. The Ravens have produced 89 rush yards/game (including 81 per game versus North opponents) and have six scores on the ground this year. The Browns are totaling 153 rushing yards per game (177 in conference) and have eight total rush TDs.
The Ravens offensive scheme has averaged 319 yards through the air overall (370 per game versus conference opposition) and has eight passing scores so far. The Browns have produced 240 pass yards per contest (197.0 in the AFC) and have four total pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Baltimore appears to have the upper hand in both facets. The team has allowed 83 rush yards and 207 pass yards per game. The Cleveland defense has allowed 296.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 116.8 yards per game on the ground. The Ravens are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 4.17 to opposing QBs, while the Browns have allowed a 5.30 ANY/A.
Offensively, Flacco is up to 975 passing yards this season, and has connected on 85-of-131 attempts with seven passing scores and only two interceptions. He’s got a 7.25 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 7.91 over the last two outings.
John Brown, Alex Collins and Willie Snead IV have combined to account for 419 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns over the last couple of outings.
Baker Mayfield has completed 21-of-41 passes for 295 yards, two TDs and two INTs for Cleveland. His ANY/A sits at 5.33 for the year and 6.30 over his past two outings.
We’re expecting the Browns to control tempo by feeding the ball-carriers early and often. 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 brought significant production to the Browns’ recent offensive strategies.
Free Prediction: Ravens vs. Browns
SU Winner – Ravens, ATS Winner – Browns, O/U – Under
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Cleveland defensive unit has created 12 sacks on the year while Baltimore has 10.
Cleveland has lost two fumbles this season while Baltimore has let three get away.
Each team has produced three pass plays of 40 yards or more. 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+ yards, while Cleveland has given up two such plays.
The Baltimore offense has created zero rushing plays of 20+ 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 matchup and the O/U going into it was 44.5. The over cashed and Cleveland did not cover in the team’s 45-42 loss to Oakland.
Over its last three matchups, Cleveland is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
In 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 O/U was 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 across its past three contests and 3.0 over its last two.
Cleveland has averaged 4.8 yards per carry over its last three games and 5.3 over its last two.
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