Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Betting Analysis & Free Pick | Week 8

Where: Huntington Bank Field (Cleveland, OH)

When: Sunday, October 27th at 1:00 PM EST

Watch: CBS

Betting Odds

• Baltimore Ravens: -9
• Over/Under: 44.5

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An AFC North matchup between two teams heading in polar opposite directions is scheduled to kick off in the 1 PM slate this Sunday. The Baltimore Ravens will head to Cleveland to take on the reeling Browns in a battle of long-time foes. While the outcome of this game may seem like a foregone conclusion, there have been some major developments leading into this one. As we all know very well, there is no sure thing in the world of sports betting. I have taken a deep dive into recent trends for both of these squads and have broken down the key advantages that each possesses in this game. Will the Ravens run away with this like most expect, or is Cleveland in the perfect spot to cover the line? Read below and see who I am trusting with my money on Sunday.

Baltimore Ravens Breakdown

The Baltimore Ravens, after starting the year 0-2, have tallied five consecutive wins and currently sit in 1st place in the AFC North. They enter the match against Cleveland with more momentum than any team in football, outside of maybe the Kansas City Chiefs, and are hoping that complacency does not creep in and jeopardize their ability to handle business on the gridiron Sunday. Behind quarterback Lamar Jackson, who appears to be in MVP form once again, the Ravens have arguably the best and most dynamic offense in the league.

They rank 1st in total yards, 5th in passing, 1st in rushing, 1st in points, and 2nd in 3rd down conversion percentage. They have formed an offense that can beat teams in any way they choose. Jackson has thrown 15 touchdown passes through 7 games, and his 118.0 QBR is at the top of the NFL. He has established consistent connections with receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman and has elevated the play of young tight end Isaiah Likely. Recently, he has shown that the connection between him and veteran Mark Andrews is still as strong as ever.

To make matters worse for opposing defenses, the Ravens feature Derrick Henry in the backfield. Henry is averaging a stellar 6.5 yards per carry and has accounted for 873 rushing yards before we have even reached midseason. Henry has also added eight touchdowns on the year. The Ravens’ defense has struggled mightily against the pass, currently ranked dead last while allowing 287.1 yards per game. Outside of the first two weeks, though, it has not hurt them. The Ravens’ ability to shut down the run (1st in the NFL) forces opposing teams into one-dimensional play, simplifying their ability to defend. In a matchup against a Cleveland team that has been sputtering offensively, they look to get back on track and clean up some of these stats.

Cleveland Browns Breakdown

Cleveland comes into this game with more questions than answers. Up until last week, the play of Deshaun Watson was pegged to be the major issue plaguing the Browns this season. Watson suffered a ruptured Achilles and has been placed on season-ending IR, meaning the Browns will turn to journeyman Jameis Winston under center. Winston came into last week’s game in relief and threw his first touchdown of the season but has only attempted 12 passes on the year.

After shipping Amari Cooper off to Buffalo, Winston will need to rely on Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, David Njoku, and Cedric Tillman as his primary passing weapons. It is tough to predict who he will develop the best rapport with since we have seen so little action from this group to date. The good news for Cleveland is the return of star running back Nick Chubb, who should see his workload steadily increase as the weeks go on. On just 11 attempts this year, he is already tied for the team lead with 1 rushing touchdown. His presence on the field will be something the Ravens will need to gameplan for, but the Cleveland offensive line has been a major disappointment in both pass protection and run blocking.

The strength of the Browns team is their defensive unit, and while they have been on the field a lot more than they’d like, they find themselves in the top half of the league in total yards, passing yards, and rushing yards allowed. This week will be their biggest test yet, and there will be an increased emphasis on pressuring Lamar Jackson while also not allowing him to pick up yardage with his legs. It is a tall task for any defense.

My Pick: Baltimore Ravens -9

How can you bet against the Ravens based on what they have shown in their last five games? Moreover, how can you bet on the Browns with how poorly they have played all year? This game will go exactly as you’d expect it to, and the Ravens will win by double digits. If you’re looking for a play on the scoring total, I lean heavily to the over. The Browns will be forced to pass, and Jameis likes to throw downfield. He may connect for a couple of deep shots, but he is also extremely turnover-prone and will give Baltimore some short-field opportunities. The Ravens will capitalize on these mistakes and control this one from start to finish.