Browns vs. Ravens Point Spread: NFL Week 2 Odds, Prediction
Two AFC North teams coming off tough losses meet up in Baltimore on Sunday afternoon as the Ravens host the Cleveland Browns at 1 pm ET. Baltimore is 78-38 in the regular season over the past seven years, but just 3-6 in the playoffs, having reached the AFC Championship Game only once during that time. Cleveland has no such postseason choke jobs on its resume, because it hardly ever makes it to the playoffs. The Browns qualified for the postseason three times since their return to the NFL in 1999, winning just once. Coach Kevin Stefanski has led the team to the playoffs twice in his five years at the helm, but the team dropped to a miserable 3-14 last year.
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NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Ravens are 11.5-point favourites at home on the NFL odds board with current money line odds of -800. Cleveland’s money line is +550. The total is listed at 45 points. The Ravens failed to cover as 1.5-point favourites on the road last week at the Buffalo Bills, playing to the over while losing 41-40. The Browns played to the under while losing at home to the Cincinnati Bengals, 17-16. However, Cleveland covered as a 5.5-point dog.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns should be 1-0 after a monster defensive effort against the Bengals last week. Cleveland held Joe Burrow to 113 passing yards, the third-lowest total of his career. The Bengals mustered 141 yards of total offence, just seven yards in the second half. Star wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins were effectively neutralized, and Myles Garrett had two sacks. But Joe Flacco threw two interceptions that went through the hands of Cleveland receivers, and new kicker Andre Szmyt missed a crucial extra point in the second half, as well as a 35-yard field goal with 2:25 remaining in the game, in a 17-16 defeat.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens made history Sunday night in a 41-40 loss, and not in a good way. Baltimore became the first team in NFL history (277-1) to score 40 or more points, rush for 235 or more yards, and lose.Two-time MVP Lamar Jackson was electric, throwing for 209 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 70 yards and another score. Derrick Henry trampled Buffalo’s defence, rushing for 169 yards and two TDs. Zay Flowers had seven catches for 143 yards and a score.
But the Ravens could not hold onto a 15-point fourth-quarter lead. Reigning MVP Josh Allen, who threw for 394 yards and accounted for four touchdowns, led the Bills to two touchdowns and a field goal in the final 7:16 of the game. Henry had a critical fumble, and the Ravens punted twice in the team’s three fourth-quarter possessions.
Who Will Win Browns vs. Ravens?
Baltimore should be angry and motivated after last Sunday’s outcome, but the Browns continue to be a difficult divisional foe. The teams have split the season series in each of the last three years. The Ravens destroyed Cleveland at home last year, 35-10. However, the Browns won there the year before that, and are routinely competitive at M&T Bank Stadium. Cleveland’s defence alone should do its best to keep them in it.
However, the Ravens almost always do better when they feel like their backs are against the wall. Look for Jackson, Henry and company to storm out to a big lead, but hold on this time, covering the 11.5-point spread as favourites and winning 31-10.
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