Monday Night Football: Ravens at Browns odds, picks and predictions
In Week 1 of this NFL season, the Baltimore Ravens made it look like they would again be one of the best teams in the league, and made it look like it was going to be the same old woeful Cleveland Browns in 2020.
Lamar Jackson, the reigning unanimous NFL MVP, and the Ravens picked apart the Browns in every facet of the game, dominating them to a 38-6 score. Even backup QB Robert Griffin III, due to the blowout nature of the game, took snaps after Jackson was pulled early to avoid injury.
Thirteen weeks later, the Ravens-Browns rematch has massive AFC North and 2020 playoff implications. Baltimore is still in the postseason picture, but at 7-5 they're not the same team that was dominant at 14-2 last season. The Browns are 9-3, securing their first winning season since 2007.
Baltimore and Cleveland are both jockeying for playoff position and a Browns win on "Monday Night Football" would all but secure them second place in the AFC North division.
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Betting Odds
Ravens odds: -3 (-176)
Browns odds: +3 (+148)
Spread: Despite having the worse record, the Baltimore Ravens are -3 point favorites on "Monday Night Football" against the Browns.
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns picks
1. The Ravens defense will focus all efforts on Browns running back Nick Chubb, and allow quarterback Baker Mayfield to pass for 250-plus yards
2. Lamar Jackson will escape the pocket consistently and rush for over 60 yards
3. Browns defensive end Myles Garrett will register two or more sacks
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Key Notes
- Aside from WR Dez Bryant, who was put on the the COVID-19 list minutes before last week's game, most of the Baltimore Ravens have returned from the reserve list
- Lamar Jackson passed for just 107 yards in his return last week, but gained 94 on the ground as well
- Three Ravens rushed for over 70 yards last week, and four had over six attempts
- Marquise "Hollywood" Brown was the only Raven receiver to have more then two receptions against the Cowboys
- The Browns are riding their second four-game win streak of the season
- The Browns have scored 40-plus points twice this year
- Baker Mayfield threw four touchdowns on just 25 completions last week
- Nick Chubb has re-established himself as the Browns lead back, rushing for 80 yards against the Titans last week
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Key Injuries
Baltimore Ravens
DE Calais Campbell (Calf) is questionable
Anthony Levine Sr. (Abdomen) is questionable
CB Jimmy Smith (groin) is questionable
CB Tramon Williams (thigh) is doubtful
TE Luke Willson (hip) is questionable
Cleveland Browns
WR KhaDarel (hamstring) is out
CB Denzel Ward (calf) is out
TE Austin Hooper (neck) is questionable
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Prediction
Prediction: Ravens 30, Browns 28
Money line: Browns +145, Ravens -165
Against the Spread: Ravens 6-5-1, Browns 5-7