Ravens vs. Browns Point Spread: NFL Week 8 Odds, Prediction
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Nik Kowalski
The context being quarterback Deshaun Watson is officially out for the season with a ruptured Achilles, making Jameis Winston the new starting quarterback in Cleveland. And yes, the Browns are really 1-6; amidst all the Watson drama it’s been difficult to grasp how putrid this team, mainly on offence, has been so far.
Meanwhile in Baltimore it’s all sunshine and rainbows. Lamar Jackson is currently the favourite to win the NFL MVP at +250 odds and was spectacular in a 41-31 road win at Tampa Bay last Monday. Jackson contributed with 281 passing yards, 52 rushing yards, and five touchdowns in the win. Love or hate his style of quarterbacking, a third MVP is on track to come Lamar’s way.
Kickoff at Huntington Bank Field goes at 1 p.m. with the Ravens nearly a double-digit favourite on the road and the total at 44.5 on the NFL odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Browns consistently stink on offence. Don’t believe me? Well, here’s their offensive point totals this season: 17, 18, 15, 16, 13, 16, and 14. That is consistent stink. But… the consistent factor (sorry not sorry to pile on Deshaun Watson) is gone, and enter Jameis Winston. With Winston under centre for Cleveland, one thing’s for certain: points. Now whether that’s offensive touchdowns, pick-sixes, or a combination of such is yet to be determined. But the point being made here is don’t look at Cleveland’s 5-2 record to the Under because more points are coming Sunday… even if that means Baltimore scoring 45 and hitting the Over themselves.
Head-to-head, Baltimore has the advantage over the AFC North rival. In 13 of the last 16 Ravens–Browns battles, Baltimore has covered the spread. Ten of the last 15 Ravens–Browns contests have finished under the total, but remember… Jameis Winston is now in the mix.
Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson is the reigning NFL MVP — an award he’s now received twice — but is finding ways to ascend his game. The superstar athlete has 455 rushing yards which is more than halfway to his 2023 total, and an 1,105-yard pace. Then there’s Jackson’s 15:2 touchdown to interception ratio which speaks to the fact that in year seven in the NFL, he’s as good a passer as ever. Jackson’s on pace for 4,395 passing yards, which would smash his career high of 3,678 set last season. And that’s a pace of 5,500 total yards for those keeping track at home. Oh, and if you’re bothered by reading a Baltimore Ravens paragraph strictly about Lamar Jackson… sorry, it’s all you need to know because we’re witnessing an all-time QB season in the making.
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns have attempted 252 passes this season and rank dead last in the NFL (by a longshot) with 5.2 yards per pass attempt. As the old sports phrase goes, when the QB you guarantee $230-million to exits your lineup, you can only get better. Jameis Winston is now accordingly dressed and starting for the Browns, which should spark life into this 1-6 club. Nick Chubb’s return from his ACL tear last season got overshadowed by the Deshaun Watson Achilles injury but Chubb’s exactly who you look to when looking to build off the spark of a QB change. In Chubb’s debut last week he rushed 11 times for 22 yards but did find the end zone.
Lastly of note, head coach Kevin Stefanski announced offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey will call the plays moving forward in an attempt to salvage this struggling Cleveland offence. Everything is fine in Cleveland, he says sarcastically.
BAL
CLE