Can Cleveland Browns Inch Further to Clinching Playoff Spot?
The Cleveland Browns can inch closer to sewing up a playoff spot with a win tonight on Monday Night Football. The surprising Browns are fresh off a statement victory and now search for another big win when they host the Baltimore Ravens tonight.
TIME: 8:15 p.m. ET. TV: ESPN; BETTING LINE: Browns -3 / TOTAL 45.5 Under -115.
The Browns, who are 9-3, are aiming to end a 17-season playoff drought. They took a step in the right direction last week with a 41-35 win over the Tennessee Titans. It was a win against a solid playoff team and made an impression across the NFL.
Next up are the 7-5 Ravens, who went 14-2 last season but are now in close to must-win mode. They look to crack the postseason field for the third straight campaign.
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Cleveland Browns Can Take Next Step
The matchup qualifies as the next step for a notoriously under-achieving Browns club. The win last week clinched its first winning season since 2007. The Browns enter with a four-game winning streak for the second time this season.
Baltimore should serve as a dark reminder to Cleveland as the clubs’ Week 1 matchup might have been called early if it were a boxing match.
The Ravens served up a 38-6 knockout of the Browns as quarterback Lamar Jackson passed for 275 yards and three touchdowns and added 45 yards on the ground.
Everyone should expect a much tougher game tonight in the rematch. Cleveland has showed immense improvement under first-year coach Kevin Stefanski.
The Browns rebounded from the crushing loss to average 37.5 points and winning their next four games. The team then lost two of their following three games and everyone said “here we go again”. Especially with Cleveland scoring seven and six points, respectively, in the losses. Then the Browns won four straight by a combined 16 points.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield passed for four touchdowns and a season-high 334 yards against the Titans. He needs to show more consistency for this team to take the steps needed to be true contenders
Ravens Have to be more Consistent
Inconsistency also has been an issue for the Ravens. They roared to a 5-1 start before dropping four of their next five games. The Ravens hope the team is headed back in the right direction after a 34-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday night.
Jackson was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list a day before the game. He looked fresh despite passing for just 107 yards. He rushed for 94 yards as the Ravens dominated the trenches by racking up 294 on the ground.
More importantly, the frustration he was feeling — and displaying — during the 1-4 stretch was nowhere to be found.
This, That, and a Dart Throw
The Ravens are close to putting a COVID-19 outbreak behind them. Only three players remain on the list. One of them is receiver Dez Bryant, who was put on the list Thursday. The Ravens removed star outside linebacker Matthew Judon and tight end Mark Andrews from the list on Wednesday.
Cornerback Jimmy Smith (groin), who missed the Dallas game, has a chance at returning on Monday. Smith sat out Thursday’s practice.
Cleveland hopes cornerback Denzel Ward (calf) returns after a two-game absence. Center JC Tretter and right tackle Jack Conklin were limited in Thursday’s practice due to knee ailments.
The Dart Throw: Browns 34, Ravens 28
Next up:
Baltimore home to Jacksonville Sunday, December 20
Cleveland at New York Sunday, December 20
Baltimore Ravens vs Cleveland Browns Betting Odds & Trends
Cleveland Browns Trends
- Trend Under is 20-7 in Browns last 27 games as a home underdog of 3.5-10.0. Hit % 74.10% (27) O/U 7|20 Push 0 W/L
- Over is 8-3 in Browns last 11 games as a favorite. 72.70% (11) 8|3 0
- Under is 19-7 in Browns last 26 games as a home underdog. 73.10% (26) 7|19 0
- Under is 10-4 in Browns last 14 games as an underdog. 71.40% (14) 4|10 0
Baltimore Ravens Trends
- Trend Over is 4-1 in Ravens last 5 games as a favorite of 10.5 or greater. Hit % 80.00% (5) O/U 4|1 Push 0 W/L
- Over is 6-1 in Ravens last 7 games as a road underdog of 3.5-10.0. 85.70% (7) 6|1 0
- Under is 4-1 in Ravens last 5 games as a road underdog. 80.00% (5) 1|4 0
- Under is 8-3 in Ravens last 11 games as a favorite of 3.5-10.0. 72.70% (11) 6|1 0
Head to Head Meetings Trends
- Trend Under is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings. Hit % 75.00% (8) O/U 2|6 Push 0 W/L
- Ravens are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 meetings. 70.00% (10) 0 7|3
- Ravens are 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 meetings in Cleveland. 81.80% (12) 1 9|2
- Road team is 15-6-1 ATS in their last 22 meetings. 71.40% (22) 1 6|15
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