Public Likes Browns
AFC North division rivals square off in Baltimore this weekend when the Ravens host the Cleveland Browns. Oddsmakers have established Baltimore as a 2.5-point favorite.
Little has gone right for the Cleveland Browns on this young 2008 NFL Season. After getting trounced 28-10 by Dallas in their home opener, the Browns dropped another home game last Sunday night against Pittsburgh. While the defense played better against the Steelers (granted, the bad weather conditions helped), the Cleveland offense has not looked good so far this season. A unit that averaged over 25 points a game last year, the Browns’ offense is averaging just eight points a game so far this season.
The Ravens had hoped to build momentum off their Week 1 win over Cincinnati, but their game with the Texans was postponed last week because of Hurricane Ike. Baltimore rookie quarterback Joe Flacco looked sharp in the team’s opening win, and looks to continue that success this week against a suspect Browns’ defense. And the Ravens’ defense must be licking their chops with how bad Cleveland quarterback Derek Anderson has looked so far in two games.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBG Global have made the Ravens 2.5-point favorite and the over/under total has been set at 38.5. Current public betting information shows that 53% of bettors favor Cleveland to cover the 2.5-point spread.
This might be what some bettors refer to as a “trap game,” where one team looks too good to be true. With how bad the Browns have played so far, the Ravens should easily cover a 2.5-point spread, right? Not so fast. Baltimore was fortunate to play such a bad Cincinnati team in Week 1 and they might have some rust have not playing in two weeks. Cleveland’s offense might not get on track this week, but as long as the defense gets pressure on the rookie Flacco, the Browns might be able to sneak out their first win of the season. We Predict the Browns over the Ravens 13-10.
Browns at Ravens Point Spread and Over/Under Total
Key Injuries:
CLEVELAND
[CB] Daven Holly IR – Knee – 07/25/08
[OG] Ryan Tucker missed last game %27?%27 – Hip – 09/07/08
[LB] Antwan Peek expected to miss rest of season. – Knee – 09/04/08
[OL] Rex Hadnot missed last game %27?%27 – Knee – 09/07/08
[KR] Josh Cribbs missed last game %27?%27 – Ankle – 09/07/08
[WR] Joe Jurevicius is expected to miss first 6 games. – Knee – 08/28/08
[OG] Lennie Friedman IR – Shoulder – 08/30/08
[WR] Donte’ Stallworth injured last game, "?". – Quad – 09/08/08
[S] Brodney Pool missed last game %27?%27 – Concussion – 09/07/08
[LB] Kris Griffin missed last game %27?%27 – Elbow – 09/07/08
BALTIMORE
[RB] P.J. Daniels IR – Shoulder – 08/12/08
[NT] Kelly Talavou IR. – Shoulder – 08/26/08
(!) [RB] Willis McGahee upgraded to probable – Knee – 09/08/08
[DT] Dwan Edwards IR. – Back – 08/26/08
[LB] Prescott Burgess IR – Wrist – 08/12/08
[QB] Troy Smith missed last game, doubtful – Illness – 09/07/08
[CB] Fabian Washington missed last game, probable – Suspension Served – 09/07/08
[CB] Derrick Martin missed last game, probable – Suspension Served – 09/07/08
[TE] Quinn Sypniewski IR – Knee – 07/25/08
[TE] Todd Heap is "?" – Back – 09/08/08
[QB] Kyle Boller IR – Shoulder – 09/03/08
[DT] Kelly Gregg missed last game, %27?%27 – Knee – 09/07/08
Top Trends:
CLEVELAND is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 4-0 against the spread versus BALTIMORE over the last 3 seasons
BALTIMORE is 2-2 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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