A weird scheduling quirk will see the Cleveland Browns face the Baltimore Ravens in two consecutive games, with a bye week in between to lick their wounds after yet another miserable offensive performance.
The Ravens are also limping into this game — figuratively and literally — coming off a meltdown defeat to the Steelers and suffering even more injuries that further decimate the roster.
NFL betting odds currently have Cleveland as a slight home favorite... but can you seriously back the Brownies? Get our thoughts with our free NFL picks and predictions for Ravens vs. Browns on Sunday, December 12.
Ravens vs Browns odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
This line opened at Baltimore -1 but following even more injuries to the Ravens roster, it now sits anywhere from Cleveland -2.5 to -3 at the time of writing. The total started at 43.5 and has ticked down a half-point to 43, with some books showing 42.5.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until kickoff and be sure to check out the full NFL odds before placing your bets.
Ravens vs Browns predictions
- Prediction: Ravens +3 (-110)
- Prediction: Under 43 (-110)
- Best bet: Mark Andrews Over 56.5 receiving yards (-110)
Predictions made on 12/9/2021 at 5:55 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Ravens vs Browns game info
• Location: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, OH
• Date: Sunday, December 12, 2021
• Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
• TV: CBS
Ravens at Browns betting preview
Weather
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Key injuries
Ravens: Nick Boyle TE (Out), Pat Ricard FB (Out), Miles Boykin WR (Out), Patrick Mekari T (Out), Jimmy Smith CB (Out), Ronnie Stanley OT (Out), Derek Wolfe DE (Out), Ar'Darius Washington S (Out), Marcus Peters CB (Out), Pernell McPhee LB (Out), Marlon Humphrey CB (Out), J.K. Dobbins RB (Out), Gus Edwards RB (Out), Justice Hill RB (Out).
Browns: Ronnie Harrison S (Out), Harrison Bryant TE (Out), Richard LeCounte S (Out), Greg Newsome CB (Out), Greg Newsome CB (Out), Anthony Schwartz WR (Out), Jack Conklin OT (Out), Tommy Togiai DT (Out), Chris Hubbard OT (Out).
Find our latest NFL injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Under is 7-3 in the last 10 head-to-head meetings. Find more NFL betting trends for Ravens vs. Browns.
Ravens vs Browns picks and predictions
Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.
Spread analysis
Does any first-place team look worse than the Ravens right now? Baltimore sits atop of the AFC North but it has looked anything but threatening, having gone 3-3 SU (2-4 ATS) in its last six games, including giving up 17 points in the fourth quarter in last week's 20-19 loss to Pittsburgh.
The offense has become a shell of what it once was, with sixth-string running backs and a makeshift offensive line providing no support to quarterback Lamar Jackson — who is 24th in passer rating, second in interceptions, and first in sacks over the last seven weeks — and it's led to Baltimore topping 20 points just once in that span (six games).
To make matters worse, an already decimated defense took another hit, with top cornerback Marlon Humphrey placed on the IR this week, joining the likes of Pernell McPhee, Derek Wolfe, and Marcus Peters as key defensive players sidelined for the year.
So, why then are we taking the Ravens in Week 14?
Have you seen the Browns play?
As bad as the Baltimore offense has been, Cleveland has been equally putrid, topping 17 points just once in its last seven games. The Browns have averaged 16 points per game during that span, but about a third of them (41) came in one game — and they have failed to reach 14 points in four of their last five contests.
The Browns have had a bye week to gameplan — and get quarterback Baker Mayfield healthy — but with head coach Kevin Stefanski's playcalling being dubious at best this season and Mayfield dealing with a torn labrum, shoulder fracture, knee strain, and a foot injury... how much will one week really help?
In the Week 12 meeting, the Ravens consistently loaded the line of scrimmage, selling out to stop the run and daring Mayfield and the passing game to beat them: Cleveland ran just 17 times for a season-low 40 yards while Baker completed fewer than 50% of his 37 passes and Cleveland scored 10 points.
On the other side, Baltimore rumbled for 148 yards on the ground but only scored 16 points because Jackson threw four interceptions. And they still won.
Jackson won't throw four picks again, but the Ravens will again sell out to shut down the Browns' lethal run game. We don't particularly like backing Baltimore, but there's absolutely zero chance we're supporting Cleveland giving points.
Prediction: Ravens +3 (-110)
Over/Under analysis
So, let's just double-check our notes here. Yes, mhm, OK. Can confirm these teams have failed to reach 20 points in 11 of their last 13 games combined.
That's bad.
We mentioned above that we don't expect Mayfield & Co. to suddenly become a passing juggernaut (or even league-average) and even with a stop unit made of mostly reserves, throwing eight-to-nine guys in the box will keep the Browns ground game in check.
On the flip side, teams have recently been blitzing the Ravens at an absurd rate... to great success. Baltimore's O-line has not been able to hold up, giving Jackson zero time to scramble or hit his receivers downfield — and the pressure has been leading to more bad decisions from the Baltimore QB.
The Ravens have seen the Under cash in five straight road games, while it's 4-1 in Cleveland's last five home contests. Buckle up for yet another ugly offensive exposé.
Prediction: Under 43 (-110)
Best bet
The Ravens offense has been struggling as a whole, but one person who's still been putting up stats is tight end Mark Andrews.
Lamar's favorite target has seen as least eight targets in each of his last five games, getting double-digit looks thrice). He's averaging 59 yards per game over this stretch, and while he's only caught eight of his last 19 targets over his most recent two contests, he still has a catch percentage north of 65% and a season-long average of 67.6 ypg for the year.
Essentially, Andrews is in a pseudo slump... and he's still averaging numbers better than his receiving yards total of 56.5 this Sunday. Again, Andrews is still getting the looks, plus Cleveland has given up at least four receptions to tight ends in each of its previous five games as well.
Andrews also had four catches (on 10 targets) for 65 yards against the Browns two weeks ago. With Baltimore's O-line quite leaky, Jackson will be forced to get rid of the ball quick — and his favorite safety blanket will be ready to deliver once again.
Pick: Mark Andrews Over 56.5 receiving yards (-110)
