Everything is in favour of the Ravens, but the favourites are the Browns. Which sounds a bit crazy, it actually is when we look at the betting odds. Because even though the Ravens are 9-4 to win and Cleveland is 5-8, the Browns are still considered the clear favourites.
This, of course, is largely due to the Ravens’ iffy quarterback situation. But if there’s one thing they’ve shown us in recent years, it’s this: they always find a way to win games – even if it’s with the help of 90% of the running game.
So we could be in for a curious game on Sunday if neither Lamar Jackson nor Tyler Huntley are available for Baltimore. Because then the third Ravens QB rookie Anthony Brown would be called upon, who has only thrown five passes in his NFL career.
Nevertheless: Coach John Harbaugh has often proven that he is a master at adjusting to such circumstances. So for Cleveland vs. Baltimore, our prediction is a defensive-minded game in which the Ravens could somehow triumph again in the end – as they so often do against the Browns.
Kickoff of this interesting NFL game of week 15 is on Saturday at 10:30 pm in Cleveland. The game can be watched live on DAZN.
Cleveland Browns – Statistics & Current Form
The Browns only scored 19 yards less against the Bengals on Sunday, and yet they barely had a chance in the end in a 10-23 loss. As so often this season, they played well at times but were far too ineffective in front of the end zone.
Either an interception by Deshaun Watson in the red zone got in the way or three unsuccessful fourth attempts. It would have been easy for Cleveland to score two more touchdowns and then we would have had a completely different game.
No efficiency – no wins
But so it went as usual and the Browns again found a way to lose an even game. As they have so often this season. Already they lost five one-score games in the last weeks, including once against their upcoming opponent from Baltimore (20:23).
They don’t like to play against them anyway, they could only win one of the last six duels. So for the Browns it’s not about that much on Saturday. With two wins behind the last playoff spot and only three games left to play, their playoff probability is currently around 1%.
Turnovers over and over again as a neckbreaker
Another point why they just can’t manage to win games is their turnover record. Only 13 own won balls are already opposed by 18 ball losses (9 interceptions, 9 fumbles). So they lose the turnover battle almost every weekend.
Since the Ravens are ranked 2nd in the league with +9, there is no improvement in sight for Saturday. The Ravens defence threw three interceptions on the last day of play, which makes a bet on the Ravens for Cleveland vs. Baltimore more playable – especially due to the outstanding value.
Key Players:
QB: Deshaun Watson
RB: Nick Chubb
WR: Amari Cooper
TE: David Njoku
K: Cade York
Baltimore Ravens – stats & recent form
The Ravens are 9-4 but currently without a quarterback. Jackson is officially still injured, Huntley is on Concussion Protocol and Anthony Brown is on the Practice Squad. However, Brown is expected to definitely be activated by Saturday.
And then it’s a case of waiting to see if either of the first two QBs can make it on the field in time. The slightly earlier game date (Saturday instead of Sunday) does not suit them here. Therefore, this is currently still up in the air, which also causes the high betting odds on Baltimore. However, we should not let this influence us.
Betting on Ravens with great value
It’s rare for the team with a clearly better record to be such a clear underdog. Plus, the Ravens have always found a way to somehow win against the Browns in recent years – both in low scoring games (2021) and high scoring games (2020).
Head coach John Harbaugh will surely come up with tactics for rookie QB Brown that will allow the Ravens to keep the game open. In addition, they still have their recently very strong defence.
Defence is getting better
While their defence had a tough start to the season, they have been finding their form more and more in recent weeks. In the last five games, the Ravens held their opponents to under 15 points four times – an incredibly strong rate. If they can do the same against Cleveland, then success is inevitable.
Against Pittsburgh, they also caught three interceptions, which made the Ravens jump to second place in the turnover +/- statistics. All in all, their defence allows an average of 5.6 points less than that of the Browns. An advantage that could bring victory on Saturday.
Thus, the Browns vs. Ravens odds are worth betting on Baltimore despite their quarterback problems. With odds of up to 2.60 (Betano) we get a value that is worth looking at. And then there is even the chance that one of their first two quarterbacks will be fit in time.
Key Players:
QB: Anthony Brown
RB: Gus Edwards
WR: Devin Duvernay
TE: Mark Andrews
K: Justin Tucker
Cleveland Browns – Baltimore Ravens head-to-head comparison / H2H record
The Browns are one of the Ravens’ favourite opponents. Five of the last six head-to-head duels went to Baltimore and they also have an excellent record against Cleveland in their franchise history (35-12).
Of their last six home games against Baltimore since 2014, Cleveland won a full two. It’s mostly the weakness against the run that has been Cleveland’s undoing in many of those games. The Browns are also allowing an average of 128.1 rushing yards this season.
In their first win in October (23-20 to Baltimore), they also scored 160 running yards, which ended up winning the game. It could be similar again on Saturday, which brings up a pick on Baltimore as our betting recommendation on Browns vs. Ravens.
Cleveland Browns – Baltimore Ravens Tip
We already anticipated in our first sentence that there is a lot to be said for Baltimore, but they are still considered the underdogs. As long as that is still the case, this naturally suits bets enormously.
So for Browns vs. Ravens, a bet on Baltimore to win is our No.1 betting option, followed by handicap bets +3.5 on them as well. This would even cover a narrow defeat.
Alternatively, general sub-points are also a recommendation. Expect the Ravens to run the ball a lot, which should make the game fast and low-scoring. In addition, their defense has held very steady lately, which should also contribute to a low-scoring game.
