The Cleveland Browns (0-1) and Baltimore Ravens (0-1) meet in NFL Week 2 on Sunday, September 14. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET from M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. The game will broadcast live on CBS.
The Ravens are 11.5-point favorites over the Browns on the spread (Ravens -11.5), with the game total set at 45. Baltimore is a -800 moneyline favorite while Cleveland is +550.
The Ravens attempt to rebound on Sunday after choking against the Bills on Sunday Night Football. The Browns, meanwhile, put up a respectable effort against the Bengals in Week 1.
Below, you can find my Browns vs Ravens prediction and NFL picks.
Browns vs Ravens Prediction
- Browns vs Ravens pick: Over 45 (-110)
My Ravens vs. Browns best bet is on the over. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NFL odds page.
Browns vs Ravens Odds
| Browns Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+11.5 -110 | 45 -110o / -110u | +550 |
| Ravens Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-11.5 -110 | 45 -110o / -110u | -800 |
Browns vs Ravens NFL Week 2 Preview
The injury report for both teams is pretty clean entering Week 2 — though the Browns will likely still be missing their right tackle, Jack Conklin.
All things considered, this line is simply too low for a Ravens game.
I think the Browns defense was underrated entering the season, and they played well against Cincinnati last week. Myles Garrett continues to dominate, and he can completely wreck games against QBs that lack mobility like he and the Browns' defense almost did in Week 1.
However, the Browns defense still has significant question marks at the linebacker and safety positions, and the Ravens offense is simply a juggernaut that scores a ton of points in pretty much every game they play.
The Ravens have scored 30+ points in 12 of their last 15 games. Fifteen of their last 18 games have gone over 45 total points, with an average of 43 and a median of 51, demonstrating that Baltimore tends to play a higher frequency of high-scoring games than their averages may indicate. Their overall numbers are being weighed down by some real clunkers.
I also liked some of the things we saw from Joe Flacco and the Browns offense last week.
Flacco is probably going to be good for a killer mistake each week, so we might even luck out and get a pick-6 here. But even if we don't, I still think the Browns will score at least 14 points in this game, and if the Ravens manage to clear 30, that should get us over the number.
The Browns are going to sling the ball around the yard whether it works or not. Flacco threw the ball 45 times in a 17-16 game last week, and more pass attempts certainly bodes well for the over.
Browns vs Ravens Prediction, Betting Analysis
I hate to admit it, but the Browns offense might actually have a little bit more than I originally thought entering the year.
Plus, a secret little edge entering this game is the possibility of both teams being more aggressive than usual on offense for a few relatively under-the-radar reasons.
Both teams are having kicker issues, or at the very least, they may not fully trust them.
Andre Szmyt missed a field-goal attempt inside of 40 yards and an extra point for the Browns last week. Meanwhile, the Ravens have a rookie kicker who went 2-for-2 on field goals of 40+ yards, but he did miss an extra point.
We may see the Browns opt to go for it more on fourth down moving forward following Szmyt's struggles. And while it may be a bit harsh to say the Ravens are having "kicker issues" at the moment, that missed extra point was the difference between a loss and tie game in the Ravens' one-point loss to Buffalo, a game in which they blew a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter.
The narrative of the week is all about the Ravens blowing leads in the fourth quarter and how they can't close. So, when they are up by two possessions in the fourth quarter against the Browns this week, do you think they are going to send the special teams unit out onto the field?
No, they are going for it on fourth down whenever they get the chance. I think that will help pad this number.
The way I see it, this number is simply too low for almost any game that contains Lamar Jackson. He's basically Peyton Manning on wheels, and he's going to lead his offense to 30+ points more often than not.
Pick: Over 45 (-110)
Spread
I'm not betting either side of the spread in this contest.
Moneyline
I will also be staying away from the moneyline market.
Over/Under
My Ravens vs. Browns betting prediction is on the over at 45 total points.
