NFL
Baltimore Ravens vs Cleveland Browns Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
Crunch time, folks. The Ravens (11-5) are charging into Week 18 with the AFC North crown in their sights, while the Browns (3-13) are just trying to wrap this nightmare of a season and secure a sweet draft pick.
Baltimore Ravens v Cleveland Browns//Getty Images
Baltimore is flying high after three straight wins, dropping a spicy 30.2 points per game (third-best in the league). Meanwhile, Cleveland’s offense is well, nonexistent. They’ve managed just 16 points across three games, and poor Dorian Thompson-Robinson is struggling with zero touchdowns and three picks in two starts.
The Ravens are massive -18.5-point favorites (the biggest spread of the season, FYI) and are ready to erase the sting of their 29-24 October loss to Cleveland. With a playoff spot locked and the Browns stuck in rebuild mode, this one’s all about Baltimore making a statement. Looking to place your bets? Hit up top NFL matches betting sites now!
Baltimore Ravens vs Cleveland Browns at Baltimore match details
Kickoff Time: 4:30 PM ET
Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
Last meeting: Baltimore Ravens 24-29 Cleveland Browns (Oct. 27, 2024 | NFL)
Baltimore Ravens vs Cleveland Browns Odds and Betting Tips
The Ravens (11-5) are rolling into their season finale with a chance to lock up the AFC North title, while the Browns (3-13) are just trying to end their nightmare season. Let’s just say, things are looking a whole lot better for Baltimore.
The Ravens are a massive 18.5-point favorite, and they’ve been crushing it lately, winning three straight games and putting up 30.2 points per game (third-best in the league). Meanwhile, the Browns have scored 16 total points in their last three games. Yep, it’s been that bad.
With Dorian Thompson-Robinson throwing three picks in two starts, Cleveland’s upset chances feel like a long shot.
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability
- Baltimore Ravens: 1/20 (1.05) - 93% chance to win
- Cleveland Browns: 12/1 (13.00) - 7% chance to win
*Odds courtesy of Stake, subject to change
Baltimore Ravens vs Cleveland Browns Head-to-Head Record
The Baltimore Ravens vs Cleveland Browns head-to-head record is heating up as these AFC North rivals gear up for their season finale. The Ravens, massive 18.5-point favorites, are eyeing the division title, while the struggling 3-13 Browns are closer to draft dreams than playoff hopes.
Their last clash on Oct. 27 saw Cleveland pull off a 29-24 upset, but much has changed. Rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson has led the Browns to two losses with zero touchdowns and three interceptions. Meanwhile, Baltimore is on a tear, averaging 30.2 points per game. Expect fireworks as history and high stakes collide at M&T Bank Stadium.
Last Five Meetings (NFL)
26/12/24: Baltimore Ravens 24-29 Cleveland Browns
12/11/23: Baltimore Ravens 31-33 Cleveland Browns
01/10/23: Baltimore Ravens 28-03 Cleveland Browns
18/12/22: Baltimore Ravens 03-13 Cleveland Browns
23/10/22: Baltimore Ravens 23-20 Cleveland Browns
Baltimore Ravens: Current Form
The Baltimore Ravens are cruising into the playoffs with some serious momentum, coming off a solid 3-2 stretch in their last five. Lamar Jackson’s playing like a legit MVP candidate—39 passing TDs, 4 rushing TDs, and almost 5,000 total yards. No wonder they’re heavy favorites. With the playoffs locked up, don’t be surprised if backup Josh Johnson gets a shot at some action in the second half, or maybe the whole game. No pressure, right?
This game’s Jackson’s chance to leave a big ol’ stamp on the MVP race. With Josh Allen possibly sitting out in Buffalo, Jackson’s got the spotlight to himself. It’s showtime.
Even though they’re pretty much set for the postseason, the Ravens have got to keep their foot on the gas. The Browns may have nothing to lose, but they sure have some pride to play for. Baltimore can’t afford to get lazy if they wanna keep this momentum rolling into January.
Key Players to Watch
- Lamar Jackson: The Ravens’ engine. He’s been slinging and running like a man on a mission. If he keeps cooking, the Ravens are a tough team to beat.
- Mark Andrews: Jackson’s favorite weapon. He’s the go-to guy in clutch situations. Watch him move the chains and grab key TDs.
- Roquan Smith: The linebacker is everywhere on defense. If he’s shutting down the run and locking up the middle, the Ravens’ D is in good shape.
Home Team News
Alright, here’s the lowdown on the Ravens ahead of their season finale against the Browns—things are looking a bit flu-ridden. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley, guard Patrick Mekari, and running back Justice Hill are all sidelined with flu-like symptoms, and defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike is also out with an illness. But no worries, Hill’s set to return after missing the Houston game, so he’ll be ready to take on the Browns.
On the plus side, running back Rasheen Ali (hip) is back in action as a limited participant, and tight end Charlie Kolar (forearm) is looking strong after his 21-day window opened. Wide receiver Nelson Agholor (concussion) is back full-speed too—great news after a couple of missed games. The only guy still riding the bench is cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (hamstring).
As for the Browns, their QB situation is a bit of a wild card. Jameis Winston’s out for the start due to a shoulder injury, so it could be Dorian Thompson-Robinson or even Bailey Zappe under center. But no matter who’s slinging the ball, Harbaugh is keeping it chill, saying, “Whichever way it goes, we’re playing the Browns, and we’ll be ready to go.”
Cleveland Browns: Current Form
The Cleveland Browns are straight-up drowning right now, stuck on a brutal 5-game L streak. There’s almost no good news on the horizon, except for Jerry Jeudy. He’s been the lone bright spot, putting up 84 catches and 1,166 yards this season. Last week? He caught 12 balls for 94 yards—basically the only guy keeping the offense alive. If Cleveland’s got a shot against the Ravens, Jeudy’s got a ball out and keeps the chains moving.
As for Dorian Thompson-Robinson? Yikes. The rookie’s been struggling, with zero touchdowns and three picks over his last two starts. He’s got to figure it out fast if he wants to stay under center.
Injury-wise, it’s not looking much better. With key guys like Cedric Tillman and David Njoku questionable, Cleveland’s got a mountain to climb, and they’re barely holding on.
But hey, it’s the NFL—anything can happen. The Browns have got to dig deep, but against the Ravens? They might need a miracle to pull off anything close to a win.
Key Players to Watch
- Jerry Jeudy: The only playmaker left. Expect him to get targeted heavily. If anyone can create sparks, it’s Jeudy.
- Dorian Thompson-Robinson: Can he turn it around? DTR needs a bounce-back game, and fast. He’s got to minimize mistakes if the Browns stand a chance.
- Myles Garrett: The defensive leader. Garrett’s been relentless, but he’s going to need to make big plays to keep the Ravens from running away with this one.
Away Team News
The Cleveland Browns are dealing with a tough hit as wide receiver Cedric Tillman has been placed on injured reserve, sidelined due to a concussion. Tillman, who’s been in concussion protocol since a brutal hit by Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen in Week 12, has been working to clear the protocol but hasn’t progressed far enough. Head coach Kevin Stefanski expressed his disappointment, stating, “Certainly disappointed for Ced… his opportunities grew as his playtime increased.”
Tillman’s 2023 campaign was shaping up to be a breakout season. The rookie out of Tennessee had racked up 29 catches for 339 yards and 3 touchdowns before the injury. His midseason stretch, particularly his go-ahead 38-yard touchdown against the Ravens in Week 8, had fans believing he was hitting his stride. "Ced's a big piece of the offense... a big physical receiver," said wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. “His health is more important than anything,” he added, underscoring the team's focus on Tillman’s recovery.
But the injury bug hasn’t been kind to Tillman. Last year, a concussion also cut his season short. Now, with a full offseason to rehab, Stefanski is confident Tillman will come back strong. "I’m confident that Ced will be ready to roll," Stefanski remarked.
Injuries are definitely piling up for the Browns. With Jerome Ford still working through that ankle issue and Pierre Strong Jr. stuck in concussion protocol, Cleveland had to call up John Kelly Jr. to fill Tillman’s spot. Kelly’s no rookie to the squad—he’s had some run with the Browns before and spent this season bouncing around the Ravens and Chargers practice squads. Time to see if he can make an impact when it counts.
The Browns also have their fingers crossed for tight end David Njoku. After missing the Week 16 loss to the Dolphins with a knee injury, Stefanski hasn’t ruled him out for the season finale against Baltimore. “We’ll see how he does throughout this week,” Stefanski said.
With key players recovering, the Browns are hoping to finish the season strong, but it won’t be easy.
Suggested Bets
Ravens to Win (Moneyline): Let’s be real—this one feels automatic.
Ravens -18.5 (Spread): Baltimore is clicking, and Cleveland can barely move the chains.
Under 41.5 Points (Total): The Browns aren’t scoring, and the Ravens don’t need to drop 40 to win this.
With solid predictions and numbers backing both sides, betting on over/under and spread outcomes could offer great value this weekend. Bet smart, and thank us later.
Baltimore Ravens vs Cleveland Browns Value Bets
Here’s the deal – the Ravens (9-6-1 ATS) are cruising into this matchup, locked and loaded, with Lamar Jackson ready to make one last MVP push. Meanwhile, the Browns (4-12 ATS) are just trying to survive, especially with Dorian Thompson-Robinson struggling under center. This game? Perfect for bettors looking for some juicy value picks.
Value Bets
Lamar Jackson – Over 1.5 Passing TDs: Jackson’s been dropping dimes like it’s nothing, with 39 passing TDs and 4,807 total yards this season. Cleveland’s defense? Not exactly scaring anyone. So, yeah – betting on Jackson to toss at least two TDs feels like a no-brainer. And with Josh Johnson likely to take some reps in the second half (if Baltimore takes care of business early), Jackson could have even more chances to rack up stats.
Mark Andrews – Anytime TD Scorer: Five straight games with a touchdown for Andrews. That’s the kind of consistency you want when picking anytime TD scorers. With Cleveland’s defense just trying to hold it together, expect Jackson to find his big man in the end zone yet again. It’s like clockwork.
Under 41.5 Total Points: Cleveland’s offense has been a dumpster fire (zero TDs in the past two games for DTR), and Baltimore’s defense has been legit. The Ravens tend to control the tempo when facing teams that can’t score, and this one’s shaping up to be a low-scoring grind. Plus, the Browns are 4-2 to the Under as road dogs this season. Don’t expect a shootout here.
Top Scorers/Players for Both Teams
Alright enough, let’s not beat around the bush. When these two teams square off, we all know who’s going to bring the fireworks. On one side, Lamar Jackson’s about to do his thing. On the other? Well, Cleveland’s got Jerry Jeudy trying to hold the fort.
Lamar Jackson: Jackson’s been a freakin’ monster this season. With 39 passing touchdowns and 4,807 total yards, he’s practically rewriting the playbook. And if you’re betting on anyone to make magic happen in this game, it’s him. Expect Jackson to play like it’s his MVP audition—he’s putting on a show, whether you like it or not.
Mark Andrews: Oh, and don’t forget about Mark Andrews. The guy’s been on a touchdown streak like no other—five straight games with a score. The Browns’ defense? Yeah, they’ve got bigger problems than trying to stop Jackson, so Andrews will be chilling in the end zone. He’s about to keep that TD streak rolling.
Jerry Jeudy: Now, Cleveland might be down, but they’ve got one spark: Jerry Jeudy. He’s the guy who’s been ballin out, leading the team in yards for six of the last seven games. Last week? 94 yards on 12 receptions. If the Browns are going to make this interesting, Jeudy’s gotta be the one to make it happen.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson (DTR): And then there’s DTR look, we all wanna see him break out, but he's been throwing more picks than TDs lately. Two starts, zero touchdowns, three interceptions. Yeah, not ideal when you’re facing Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ defense.
Prediction: Baltimore Ravens to Win
The Ravens are locked in and ready to flex their muscles. With an 18.5-point spread in their favor, Baltimore’s playoff hopes are riding high—and Cleveland? Well, they're just hoping for a top draft pick at this point. Dorian Thompson-Robinson has struggled big-time (zero TDs, three picks in his last two starts), and the Ravens' offense is on fire.
Lamar Jackson is doing MVP stuff (39 TDs, 4,807 yards), and Derrick Henry’s been a wrecking ball lately. Cleveland’s Jerry Jeudy is putting up numbers, but it’s not nearly enough to keep up. Baltimore takes this one without breaking a sweat.
Predicted Final Score: Ravens 31, Browns 13.
Heena Singh is your go-to NFL writer with a knack for turning the gridiron’s biggest moments into must-read stories. She brings a unique mix of sharp insights and quirky vibes, breaking down every touchdown, fumble, and post-game drama like a pro. A die-hard fan of the Kansas City Chiefs (and yes, Patrick Mahomes is her guy), Heena knows how to keep football fans hooked.