Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images/Sipa USA

Baltimore Ravens vs Cleveland Browns: An AFC North matchup

The Baltimore Ravens are visiting the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at Huntington Bank Field.

Is this the season for the Ravens?

The Baltimore Ravens had a difficult start to the season, losing the first pair of games, but then turned up the engine and are now on a five-game winning streak. They are coming off a 41-31 win on Monday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Ravens found themselves 10-0 after the first quarter but then scored 34 unanswered points to take over the game. Lamar Jackson was 17 of 22, threw for 281 yards and five touchdowns, and improved to 23-1 against NFC teams, the best mark by a quarterback against an opposing conference in NFL history. Derrick Henry rushed for 169 yards on 15 carries, and Rashon Bateman had four catches for 121 yards. The Ravens are on top of the AFC North with a 5-2 record.

The Browns are just bad

The Cleveland Browns have another disappointing season and are currently on a five-game losing streak. After losing three straight on the road, they hoped that coming back to Cleveland would change something, but the Browns failed short 21-14 to the Cincinnati Bengals in the last one. Browns starting quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered an apparent season-ending Achilles tendon injury in the first half of the game. Watson has been pointed out as the reason for the Browns’ poor start, as he did not throw over 200 yards in any game this season.

Betting Trends

The Browns are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games overall, 1-4 SU in their last 5 games against AFC teams, and 1-4 SU in their last 5 games in October. They are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall, 3-13 ATS in their last 16 games against the Ravens and 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games against teams from the AFC North. Cleveland has played under the total point line in 10 of their last 15 games overall and 11 of their last 15 games at home. The Ravens are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games overall, 12-5 SU in their last 17 games against Cleveland, and 6-0 SU in their last 6 games in October. They are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall, 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games against the Browns, and 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games when visiting Cleveland. Baltimore has played over the total point line in 6 of their last 7 games overall and their last 5 games on the road.

Prediction and Conclusion

These two teams, as expected, have completely different seasons. The Ravens lost the first two games, and when many saw that as a sign of weakness, the Ravens actually picked themselves up and now are absolutely unstoppable. The Browns have lost the last five games and will start Jameis Winston in place of Deshaun Watson after this guy suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury. The Browns have the worst offense in the league, and regardless of the QB change, they simply will stand no chance against the Ravens, who will win this one by covering the -8.5-point spread.