TNF - Browns at Ravens
November 10, 2016
Cleveland at Baltimore (-8, 43.5), 8:25 pm ET, CBS/NFLN
Understand that this will probably be one of the lowest-rated games of the NFL season, the latest example that the NFL is dealing with diminished popularity. Someone really thought It would be a good idea to put the Browns in prime time, so we get this. One thing it isn’t advantageous to be is an elitist, so don’t take this in that vein, but the NFL will stop making these mistakes next season. Matchups like these, that instantly remind you that there are other things to do on Thursday night besides being a slave to the NFL, should stop popping up in prime time next season.
Advertisement
As it is, an unattractive bout between AFC Central foes presents an opportunity to shun the league – have you seen Concussion on cable? – or embrace a matchup that present the Ravens with an opportunity to continue being relevant in the AFC. The alternative would be watching the Browns win for the first time, which Hue Jackson merits but won’t necessarily get this week. Jackson has talked about the need for airing it out more after being defeated by Dallas at home in a game that would have been closer had refs called pass interference penalties in the end zone, so Cleveland might be especially aggressive here. As far as Baltimore is concerned, an upset of Pittsburgh allowed the team to snap a four-game losing streak and puts it back on track to contend for a playoff spot. Joe Flacco left Sunday’s game with a knee brace issue but is otherwise fine, while rookie QB Cody Kessler will continue to start for Cleveland ahead of veteran Josh McCown.
Baltimore Ravens
Season win total: 8.5 (Over -110, Under -110)
Odds to win AFC North: 9/2 to 9/2
Odds to win AFC: 15/1 to 25/1
Odds to win Super Bowl: 40/1 to 50/1
Cleveland Browns
Season win total: 4.5 (Over -150, Under +130)
Odds to win AFC North: 2000/1 to 2000/1
Odds to win AFC: 100/1 to off board
Odds to win Super Bowl: 200/1 to off board
LINE MOVEMENT
Baltimore rescued all of its future bettors with its upset of Pittsburgh but was still faded by the WestgateLV SuperBook. Meanwhile, wagers on the winless Browns have come off the board altogether since they can no longer win a division or make the playoffs. As far as this matchup is concerned, most books set the opening number at Ravens -9.5, but that lofty number is now available from 7.5-to-10, coming in on the low side at WestgateLV SuperBook and as high at -10 at the Mirage. The total is set at 44.5 to 45.
INJURY CONCERNS
The two most important players on the Browns offense, top tackle Joe Thomas (knee) and Terrelle Pryor (hamstring) will be out there for the Browns. Defensive back Jordan Taylor is the only player who participated last week that won't play.
Favored Baltimore is more banged up, listing tackle Marshal Yanda (shoulder) as 'doubtful.' The Ravens defense played without Elvis Dumervil and Shareece Wright last week and won't be available again.
RECENT MEETINGS (Baltimore 4-1 SU, 2-2-1 ATS last five; OVER 4-1)
9/18/16 Baltimore 25-20 at Cleveland (BAL -4.5, 41.5)
11/30/15 Baltimore 33-27 at Cleveland (CLE -6, 41)
9/20/15 Cleveland 37-33 at Baltimore (BAL -6, 42)
12/28/14 Baltimore 20-10 vs. Cleveland (BAL -14, 40)
9/21/14 Baltimore 23-21 at Cleveland (BAL -1.5, 43)
PROPS
Of the props available below at the WestgateLV Superbook, I'd ride that Siemian TD prop going over. The Chargers have surrendered nine passing touchdowns, allowing four of the five QBs they've faced to throw for multiple TDs.
Cody Kessler completions 22: (-110 o/u)
Terrance West TD: (+100 yes/-120 under)
Joe Flacco passing yards 263.5: (-110 o/u)
Terrelle Pryor receiving yards 63.5: (-110 o/u)
Joe Flacco TD passes 1.5: (-130 over, +110 under)
Cody Kessler TD Passes + Interceptions 2: (EVEN over, -120 under)
Total combined sacks 4.5: (-120 over, +100 under)
First score of game will be: (-180 TD, +160 other)
Total points: Ravens 27.5, Browns 17.5 (-110 o/u)
RAVENS AS A HOME FAVORITE
The Ravens are 1-2 in this situation this seasonand were 0-3-1 ATS last year. Included in those results is that 33-30 home loss last Oct.11.
BROWNS AS A ROAD UNDERDOG
The Browns are obviously winless (1-3 ATS) this season and were atrocious in this role in ’15, going 1-7 straight up (3-5 ATS). The lone victory came against the Ravens.
November 10, 2016
Cleveland at Baltimore (-8, 43.5), 8:25 pm ET, CBS/NFLN
Understand that this will probably be one of the lowest-rated games of the NFL season, the latest example that the NFL is dealing with diminished popularity. Someone really thought It would be a good idea to put the Browns in prime time, so we get this. One thing it isn’t advantageous to be is an elitist, so don’t take this in that vein, but the NFL will stop making these mistakes next season. Matchups like these, that instantly remind you that there are other things to do on Thursday night besides being a slave to the NFL, should stop popping up in prime time next season.
Advertisement
As it is, an unattractive bout between AFC Central foes presents an opportunity to shun the league – have you seen Concussion on cable? – or embrace a matchup that present the Ravens with an opportunity to continue being relevant in the AFC. The alternative would be watching the Browns win for the first time, which Hue Jackson merits but won’t necessarily get this week. Jackson has talked about the need for airing it out more after being defeated by Dallas at home in a game that would have been closer had refs called pass interference penalties in the end zone, so Cleveland might be especially aggressive here. As far as Baltimore is concerned, an upset of Pittsburgh allowed the team to snap a four-game losing streak and puts it back on track to contend for a playoff spot. Joe Flacco left Sunday’s game with a knee brace issue but is otherwise fine, while rookie QB Cody Kessler will continue to start for Cleveland ahead of veteran Josh McCown.
Baltimore Ravens
Season win total: 8.5 (Over -110, Under -110)
Odds to win AFC North: 9/2 to 9/2
Odds to win AFC: 15/1 to 25/1
Odds to win Super Bowl: 40/1 to 50/1
Cleveland Browns
Season win total: 4.5 (Over -150, Under +130)
Odds to win AFC North: 2000/1 to 2000/1
Odds to win AFC: 100/1 to off board
Odds to win Super Bowl: 200/1 to off board
LINE MOVEMENT
Baltimore rescued all of its future bettors with its upset of Pittsburgh but was still faded by the WestgateLV SuperBook. Meanwhile, wagers on the winless Browns have come off the board altogether since they can no longer win a division or make the playoffs. As far as this matchup is concerned, most books set the opening number at Ravens -9.5, but that lofty number is now available from 7.5-to-10, coming in on the low side at WestgateLV SuperBook and as high at -10 at the Mirage. The total is set at 44.5 to 45.
INJURY CONCERNS
The two most important players on the Browns offense, top tackle Joe Thomas (knee) and Terrelle Pryor (hamstring) will be out there for the Browns. Defensive back Jordan Taylor is the only player who participated last week that won't play.
Favored Baltimore is more banged up, listing tackle Marshal Yanda (shoulder) as 'doubtful.' The Ravens defense played without Elvis Dumervil and Shareece Wright last week and won't be available again.
RECENT MEETINGS (Baltimore 4-1 SU, 2-2-1 ATS last five; OVER 4-1)
9/18/16 Baltimore 25-20 at Cleveland (BAL -4.5, 41.5)
11/30/15 Baltimore 33-27 at Cleveland (CLE -6, 41)
9/20/15 Cleveland 37-33 at Baltimore (BAL -6, 42)
12/28/14 Baltimore 20-10 vs. Cleveland (BAL -14, 40)
9/21/14 Baltimore 23-21 at Cleveland (BAL -1.5, 43)
PROPS
Of the props available below at the WestgateLV Superbook, I'd ride that Siemian TD prop going over. The Chargers have surrendered nine passing touchdowns, allowing four of the five QBs they've faced to throw for multiple TDs.
Cody Kessler completions 22: (-110 o/u)
Terrance West TD: (+100 yes/-120 under)
Joe Flacco passing yards 263.5: (-110 o/u)
Terrelle Pryor receiving yards 63.5: (-110 o/u)
Joe Flacco TD passes 1.5: (-130 over, +110 under)
Cody Kessler TD Passes + Interceptions 2: (EVEN over, -120 under)
Total combined sacks 4.5: (-120 over, +100 under)
First score of game will be: (-180 TD, +160 other)
Total points: Ravens 27.5, Browns 17.5 (-110 o/u)
RAVENS AS A HOME FAVORITE
The Ravens are 1-2 in this situation this seasonand were 0-3-1 ATS last year. Included in those results is that 33-30 home loss last Oct.11.
BROWNS AS A ROAD UNDERDOG
The Browns are obviously winless (1-3 ATS) this season and were atrocious in this role in ’15, going 1-7 straight up (3-5 ATS). The lone victory came against the Ravens.