Cleveland Browns vs Baltimore Ravens Predictions, Odds, Picks

• The Browns’ run-centric offense stars Nick Chubb and (maybe) a returning Kareem Hunt 
• Over a dozen Baltimore Ravens players are listed as questionable for this one
• Baltimore has won seven of their last eight home games at M&T Bank Stadium

Browns vs Ravens Odds

For the Cleveland Browns to win this battle of the AFC North, banged up quarterback Baker Mayfield (shoulder, ankle, knees) must have a big game despite his injuries as his run-centric offense starring Nick Chubb and (hopefully) a returning Kareem Hunt lead the attack while the defense figures out how to contain Lamar Jackson and give him very few open targets to hit.

Over a dozen Baltimore Ravens players are listed as questionable for this one including two of Lamar Jackson’s favorite targets – Marquise Brown (thigh) and Miles Boykin (finger) – but it’s a home game and the Ravens have figured out how to turn a losing campaign into a last-minute win more times than seems fair, their offense (3rd) ranked far higher than their defense (25th).

These two AFC North rivals have faced each other 44 prior times, with the Baltimore Ravens winning 33 of those games and the Cleveland Browns winning 11 of the games.

Cleveland Browns vs Baltimore Ravens Predictions

Can Browns Defensive Line Contain Twitchy Lamar Jackson?

For the Cleveland Browns to win this one, they are going to have to figure out how to contain Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in the pocket, but he is arguably the best athlete in the league and can escape at will to convert third downs into first downs and touchdowns.

The Browns front line must contain the edges of their rush, a job handled by one of the best in the business, DE Myles Garrett, and his talented counterpart Jadeveon Clowney as the two Maliks – DTs Jackson and McDowell – keep attacking the middle of the line.

The key to a great pass rush, however, is tight coverage that forces the QB to take a few extra seconds to look around, and that job is well handled by cornerbacks Denzel Ward and rookie Greg Newsome while rookie linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah continues to make tackles.

Can the Ravens Run-Defense Neutralize Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt?

The Ravens’ defense is truly lopsided, right now ranked second best against the run and second worst against the pass, good news against a Browns team that favors a rushing attack over an air raid, especially since their QB Baker Mayfield’s non-throwing shoulder is shot.

The Ravens are tasked with stopping the league’s number one rushing attack, a two-headed backfield monster starring Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, two tough to tackle speedsters who are part of a running back squad that has averaged an NFL best 156.8 yards per game.

Baltimore’s defensive line, including Calais Campbell and Justin Madubuike, must figure out a way to stop up the holes created by Cleveland’s top notch O-line, and Raven linebackers like Josh Bynes and Tyus Bowser must figure out a way to tackle those two Browns backs.

Browns Key Player: (QB) Baker Mayfield

Browns QB Baker Mayfield could quiet the chatter of his doubters and haters by having a huge game and win here against these divisional rival Ravens, a task made even harder given the multiple injuries he is suffering (shoulder, ankles, knee) but he is tough and will most likely play.

Watch for him to step up the way he does whenever his abilities or leadership is questioned, though this season his numbers have not been as impressive as in the past, right now with 176 completions for 2,166 yards and 10 touchdowns with 6 interceptions in ten games.

The Browns feature the run game so Mayfield’s passing attack is not a primary weapon, but still, he needs to get better at protecting the ball and making the easy throws when a receiver is wide open, accuracy issues that are understandable given the amount of pain he is currently in.

Ravens Key Player: (RBs) Devonta Freeman & Latavius Murray

The Baltimore Ravens have the third most productive rushing attack in the league, and much of the credit goes to quarterback Lamar Jackson who is as dangerous with his legs as he is with his arm, this season with 106 carries for 639 yards and two touchdowns.

The other part of the rushing equation in Baltimore includes two veteran dual-threat running backs, Devonta Freeman and Latavius Murray, who have both been in the league since 2014 and were brought to Baltimore to help add healthy depth to their banged-up run game.

Freeman averages 5.1 yards per touch and this season has 76 total touches for almost 390 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Murray has averaged 3.6 yards per touch this season and has 75 total touches for 270 yards and 4 touchdowns.

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