You would think that games would be easier to handicap when we get to the final couple of weeks of the season, but the opposite tends to be true much of the time. Teams that are officially eliminated often decide that now is the time to get some rookies in there to see what they have, which is what the Carolina Panthers are doing this weekend by starting rookie QB Will Grier. On the flipside, the teams that have already clinched need to start thinking about just how much playing time their impact players are going to get in the final couple of weeks.
Do you really want to risk losing a valuable starter in a meaningless game, or do you run that risk in hopes of keeping everyone loose and ready to play? It’s a tough decision and one that we might see come into play for the Baltimore Ravens. They have already clinched and may be looking to give Lamar Jackson a bit of a break before the playoffs begin. Baltimore will be in Cleveland this weekend and starting as a 10 ½ point favorite against the Cleveland Browns. The point total for this one is set at 48.
Ravens vs Browns 2019 NFL Week 16 Odds, Game Info & Prediction
- When: Sunday, December 22 at 1 PM EST
- Where: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland
- TV: CBS
Why bet on the Baltimore Ravens?
Barring a total disaster, the Baltimore Ravens will nab one of the top 2 seeds in the AFC, with a win this weekend securing them the #1 spot. They are more than deserving of that accolade after going on a run that has seen them win 10 straight games. Their final two games of the season are against divisional foes, and since we already know that AFC North battles tend to fall on the rougher side of the scale, you do have to wonder how much playing time Lamar Jackson will see over the next couple of weeks.This is a matchup that the Ravens have totally dominated, winning 16 of their last 20 games versus the Browns. In their last 11 visits to Cleveland, Baltimore has gone 9-2 ATS.
Team Stats
Offense- Points per Game: 33.71
- Passing Yards: 207.07
- Rushing Yards: 202.64
- Yards per Play: 6.20
Defense
- Points per Game: 18.36
- Passing Yards: 218.14
- Rushing Yards: 96.14
- Yards per Play: 5.37
Why bet on the Cleveland Browns?
A season that held so much promise is going to end with this version of the Cleveland Browns seen as a total bust. The belief is that there will be a coaching change made sooner rather than later, but you also wonder which of the major players on this team will still be around next season.
Rumors are that Odell Beckham Jr. is already looking for a way out of town. After a run of 3-straight wins to stay alive in the AFC playoff picture, the Browns have now lost 2 of their last 3 and are officially eliminated. They have been decent at home, winning 4 of their last 5 there, while also going 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games against teams from the AFC North.
Team Stats
Offense- Points per Game: 21.21
- Passing Yards: 223.64
- Rushing Yards: 126.43
- Yards per Play: 5.65
Defense
- Points per Game: 23.50
- Passing Yards: 217.93
- Rushing Yards: 135.21
- Yards per Play: 5.65
Ravens vs Browns NFL Week 16 Betting Trends
- Browns are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games at home
- Browns are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games against an opponent in the AFC North division
- The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Cleveland’s last 13 games played in week 16
- Ravens are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games on the road
- Ravens are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games against an opponent in the AFC conference
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Baltimore’s last 6 games against an opponent in the AFC North division
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Ravens vs Browns
Given that the Ravens can clinch home field advantage through the playoffs with a win here, my guess is that Lamar Jackson will stay in until this thing is good and over, which it could be rather quickly. I am on the Ravens to win and cover.Score: Baltimore Ravens 36 – Cleveland Browns 17
