Sunday Night Football Picks: Browns vs. Ravens Odds & Predictions
Browns vs. Ravens Odds
| Browns Odds | +3 |
| Ravens Odds | -3 |
| Over/Under | 47 |
| Date | Sunday, Nov. 28 |
| Time | 8:20 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBC |
Tonight, the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens will battle on Sunday Night Football at M&T Bank Stadium. Cleveland’s season has seemingly been a disaster, but a win tonight will pull them within a half-game of first place in their division. Baltimore has not garnered much media attention this fall, but they enter play with the second best record in the AFC. Oddsmakers are expecting a tightly-contested affair between these two division foes this evening, pricing the Ravens as a field goal favorite on the spread.
Let’s take a deeper look at the matchup to see where bettors can find value at sportsbooks in this contest.
Cleveland Browns (+3)
Baker Mayfield is not listed on the injury report this week, but that is clearly more of a symbolic gesture rather than a reflection of reality. Mayfield has dealt with injuries to his shoulder, foot, knee, and groin in recent weeks, which has clearly impacted his play on the field. Following a sensational 2020 campaign, Mayfield ranks 23rd in passing yards and 26th in QBR in 2021. Across his last five games, he has totaled only six touchdowns against four interceptions—winning games against the Cincinnati Bengals and the Detroit Lions in that span. If there is any reason for Cleveland fans to be optimistic tonight, it is due to the fact that the Browns still have one of the best offensive lines, and arguably the best running back tandem in the NFL. Jack Conklin was activated from injured reserve and will return to right tackle this evening. Kareem Hunt is expected to return to the field for the first time since Week 6. Jarvis Landry and Donovan Peoples Jones were both listed as a limited participant in practice on Friday. Anthony Schwartz has already been ruled out for this contest.
On the defensive side of the ball, Jadaveon Clowney, Troy Hill, Malik Jackson, and Slone Takitaki were each limited at practice on Friday. However, only Troy Hill carries an injury designation ahead of Sunday Night Football. Cleveland is tied for seventh in the NFL, allowing only 4.1 yards-per-carry this season. Still, Cleveland allowed Lamar Jackson to run for 169 yards on only 16 carries last season in two meetings. The Browns have also struggled mightily in the secondary, allowing opposing signal callers to throw for 21 touchdowns against only 7 interceptions this fall—good for a 97.2 passer rating. Cleveland’s defense still has a lot to prove against their division rival.
Baltimore Ravens (-3)
Jackson missed Baltimore’s Week 11 matchup against the Chicago Bears due to a mysterious non-COVID illness, but logged full practice sessions on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Jackson dominated the Browns in 2020, and figures to be a matchup nightmare for his division rival once again on Sunday Night Football. On the offensive line, Cedric Ogbuehi has been ruled out. Even in his absence, the Ravens have four solid big-men up front who are capable of slowing down Cleveland’s formidable pass rush, featuring Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney.
Baltimore’s defensive line is a major concern heading into this one. Calais Campbell has not practiced at all this week, due to a concussion. Brandon Williams returned to practice earlier this week, but has not played in nearly a month, due to a shoulder injury. Williams’ replacement, Justin Ellis has been one of the worst defensive lineman in the NFL this season. In the secondary, Anthony Averett, Jimmy Smith, Chris Westry, and Tavon Young each carry a questionable tag ahead of this evening’s action. Smith seems to have the worst odds of suiting up for this one after not practicing on Friday. Still, it remains to be seen how much of an issue a weak secondary will be against Mayfield, who has been one of the worst quarterbacks in football over the last month.
SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL PICK
The market opened with the Ravens as five point favorites in this game, but the consensus line has moved to Baltimore as a field goal favorite as we approach kickoff. Unquestionably, the primary market moving information has been the injury report. The Browns are the healthiest they have been in a while, with only Peoples-Jones and Hill listed as questionable, and only Schwartz having been ruled out. Campbell’s status for Baltimore is extremely important to monitor this afternoon. He is one of the best defenders against the run in the league. His absence would be particularly problematic with Cleveland returning Conklin to the offensive line and Hunt to the backfield this week. If Campbell is healthy and on the field this evening, bettors are getting a bargain with the Ravens only needing to cover a field goal. Despite the line movement, Baltimore is still capable of winning this game.
PICK: Ravens -3 (-110)
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