Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Betting Preview

An AFC North battle will finish up Week 14 of the NFL season on Monday night when the Cleveland Browns host the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens playing meaningful football in Week 14 is no surprise. They were the AFC's top seed in 2019, and they have the most recent MVP at quarterback. They are also the fourth-ranked team on the Dunkel Index at 136.810.

The Browns, on the other hand, are quite the surprise. The Dunkel Index has them as just the 13th-ranked team in the NFL. 

Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. tore his ACL in October and was put on injured reserve. Even with quarterback Baker Mayfield playing better football, Cleveland has just the 28th-ranked pass offense.

But here we are. The Browns are at the door of the playoffs and knocking loudly.

The Line: Ravens (-3) at Browns

It feels like three seasons ago when the Browns and Ravens met in Week 1. Cleveland was destroyed 38-6. Mayfield was terrible. 

The first game of the Kevin Stefanski era looked just like the final game of the Freddie Kitchens era. These were the same old Browns.

Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson threw three touchdowns, the Ravens defense was suffocating, and Marquise Brown went over 100 yards receiving. Same old Ravens.

It's history, pre-2020, and this September, that has a 7-5 Baltimore as the three-point favorite over 9-3 Cleveland.

Baltimore Ravens

These are clearly not the same old Ravens. At least not the Ravens from 2019. 

They righted themselves a little last week with a win over Dallas, but that was following three straight losses. Those losses were to possible playoff teams, which may require a head-to-head win to break a tie.

Jackson has been inconsistent throwing the ball and less dynamic running the ball. Baltimore's offensive line has been savaged by injuries, and injuries unrelated to their recent problems with COVID-19. 

But despite all of that, the Ravens are knee-deep in the playoff hunt and a favorite to get to 8-5 and tie Miami for the last playoff spot.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns are winners of four straight games, and the two-headed running back monster of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt is the best combination in the league. But they have yet to shake off all the nonbelievers. 

The passing game is a struggle each week, and against the spread, the Browns are just 5-7. But mostly, it's history that works against them.

The last time the Browns were in the playoffs was 2002, and until they actually get there, it's hard to picture them as anything other than the same old Browns. If they lose to the Ravens, the playoffs are far from certain. 

Games against the Giants, Jets and Steelers remain, and it's possible the Browns could still drop to third place in the division.

The Pick

Las Vegas likes the Ravens, and so does the Dunkel Index. In fact, Dunkel has the Ravens at +5.5 in its line for Monday night.

The Browns defense just isn't dynamic enough to keep the Ravens' improving offense contained. It will be a high-scoring game, and in the end, Jackson will get the better of Mayfield. Take the Ravens to cover.

For more Dunkel Index picks, check out our NFL picks page.