- The Ravens are a 20.5-point home favorite against the Browns.
- The Browns have lost each of their last seven road games.
- My Ravens vs. Browns prediction is to back Baltimore in the first half.
With a win on Saturday at home, the Ravens can secure their second division title in a row.
Baltimore throttled Houston 31-2 on Christmas Day, extending their winning streak to three games.
The Browns’ struggles continued on Sunday as short home dogs against Miami. Cleveland’s 20-3 loss proved their fifth straight, including their third in a row by multiple scores.
Bet on Ravens vs. Browns and other NFL matchups with up-to-date NFL odds.
NFL Week 18 Odds: Ravens vs. Browns
Ravens vs. Browns Prediction
Based on John Harbaugh’s strong record off extended rest and Cleveland’s lackluster starts, my Ravens vs. Browns prediction is the Ravens 1H Spread (-12.5, -110).
Baltimore merely needs to win as 17.5-point favorites to clinch the division. Because a loss takes them to the wild card spots, it’s assumed the starters will begin the game.
In theory, Harbaugh could elect to rest players if the halftime advantage proves sizable enough.
So, rather than laying a big number for the game, lay a shorter number in the first half with a Ravens team that excels out of the gates.
Harbaugh is 62% ATS in the first half with eight or more days between games, including 25-17-1 as a market favorite.
While Baltimore has recorded a less-than-impressive 8-7-1 ATS record in the first half this year, they get a Browns team with a worse 4-11-1 ATS record in the first half.
Plus, since handing the reigns back to Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Cleveland’s offense has struggled out of the gates.
Since Week 15, Cleveland’s offense ranks 32nd in EPA per play and offensive success rate in the first half, per rbsdm.com.
Now, they’ll get a Baltimore defense that ranks 10th and seventh in the corresponding defensive metrics over that same span.
Baltimore similarly dominated another bad team as big favorites in the first half.
Following a bye week, Baltimore jumped out to a 21-7 halftime lead over the Giants in Week 15. They followed it with a seven-point halftime advantage over the Steelers the following week.
Since Week 15, Baltimore’s offense ranks first and fourth in first-half EPA per play and success rate, respectively.
Given the Browns sit 17th and 22nd in those respective defensive categories over the same span, back the Ravens to bag a big halftime advantage.
Betting Ravens vs. Browns: NFL Public Betting
| Bets% (ATS) | Money% (ATS) | Bets% (ML) | Money% (ML) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Browns | 60% | 47% | 78% | 14% |
| Ravens | 40% | 53% | 22% | 86% |
