Cleveland Browns vs Baltimore Ravens Matchup Preview (11/28/21): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)

Cleveland Browns vs Baltimore Ravens Matchup Preview (11/28/21)

It’s finally that time of year. Five out of fifteen games on this weekend’s NFL slate are divisional matchups with some key rivalries taking center stage as the sprint to wild card weekend intensifies. The Browns, Ravens, Steelers, and Bengals all battle it out this weekend in a who’s who of the AFC North, with the Browns and Ravens taking the spotlight on Sunday night. Both teams enter this weekends’ matchup off underwhelming 3 point wins against NFC North opponents — the Browns against the Lions and the Ravens against the Bears. Lamar Jackson sat last weekend’s game with the flu, while Baker Mayfield played despite nursing a torn labrum in his left shoulder. This marks the first of two games in three weeks between these two teams, and, depending on how things shake out, either team could end up on top of the AFC North by the end of it.

Beyond just being a divisional matchup, though, there’s a sense of resentment that lies deeper between these two fan bases — especially on the Cleveland side. In 1995, Browns owner Art Modell infamously moved the team to Baltimore after the city of Cleveland denied him a new stadium. Though the Browns moved back in 1999, the franchise has never been the same since and Browns fans have never forgotten. Baltimore leads the all time series 33-11.

Cleveland Browns vs Baltimore Ravens Betting Odds

Betting Trends

Browns are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall
Browns are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as a road underdog
Browns are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record
Ravens are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 vs. AFC North
Ravens are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win
Ravens are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game

The Pick

The Browns and Ravens play a very similar brand of football. Both are top 3 in the NFL in rushing offense and top 6 in the NFL in time of possession. Both teams have solid defenses, though the Ravens are considerably more efficient in the red zone and on third down. Considering both starting quarterbacks are handicapped due to either injury or illness heading into Sunday, I expect the Ravens ability to hold Cleveland to field goals to be the difference. The Cleveland defense ranks in the bottom third of the league in third down efficiency, while the Ravens rank number 1 overall — allowing teams to extend drives on third down just 30 percent of the time. I’d bet this is one of the shortest games of the weekend as the already heavy rushing attack of both teams will be even amplified by quarterback uncertainty. Whoever can control the tempo of this one will win, and I believe the Ravens to be that team.

My Prediction: Ravens win 29-23, Ravens cover (-3.5) and over hits (o45.5)

TV Schedule

Date: Monday, November 28
Time: 8:20 PM ET
Location: M&T Bank Stadium – Baltimore, MD
TV Coverage: NBC

Cleveland Browns vs Baltimore Ravens Live Stream

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Injuries

Cleveland Browns: RB Kareem Hunt (Calf) O, OT Jack Conklin (Elbow) O, WR Jarvis Landry (Knee) Q, LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (Ankle) Q, CB Troy Hill (Neck) Q, WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (Groin) Q, DE Takkarist McKinley (Groin) Q
Baltimore Ravens: QB Lamar Jackson (Illness) Q, DE Calaris Campbell (Foot) Q, OT Ronnie Stanley (Ankle) O, CB Marcus Peters (Knee) O, NT Brandon Williams (Shoulder) Q, CB Jimmy Smith (Hip) Q, RB Gus Edwards (Knee) O, WR Marquise Brown (Thigh) O, FS DeShon Elliott (Pectoral) O, OLB LJ Fort (ACL) O, RB JK Dobbins (Knee(ACL)) O, DE Derek Wolfe (Back/Hip) O, LB Malik Harrison (Leg) Q, OLB Pernell McPhee (Knee) O, CB Anthony Averett (Thigh) Q

Cleveland Browns Analysis

Despite having arguably the best offensive line and running back tandem in football, this Browns offense has seemed broken the last 6 weeks. Outside of a week 9 game against the Bengals, the Browns haven’t scored more than 17 points once since week 5 and have scored 14 or less in 4 of the last 6. We know they have a capable coach and a surplus of weapons, which naturally leads to the conclusion that Baker Mayfield is underperforming. Though this is true to some extent, Baker has been nursing foot and shoulder injuries all season which have certainly handicapped his athleticism and escapability. Since OT Jack Conklin suffered an elbow injury in week 8, teams have been able to get more pressure on the Browns as only 6 QBS have been sacked more than Baker on the season.

This defense continues to play well, though injuries to Troy Hill and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah have certainly thinned their margins. Where this team has struggled most is in the red zone, as nearly 70 percent of opponent red zone conversions turn into touchdowns — the fourth worst in the league. As previously mentioned, the Browns rank sixth overall in the league in total time of possession, a measure that should improve as Chubb, Hunt, and Conklin all get healthy. This weekend, however, will be fire against fire as they face the team that’s first in the league in time of possession. 

Cleveland Browns Depth Chart

QB: Baker Mayfield
RB1: Nick Chubb
RB2: D’Ernest Johnson
WR1: Rashard Higgins
WR2: Donovan Peoples-Jones
WR3: Jarvis Landry
TE1: Austin Hooper

Baltimore Ravens Analysis

Does any quarterback get sick more often than Lamar Jackson? It’s bizarre, though backup Tyler Huntley offers a similar skillset albeit to a lesser degree. Whether or not Jackson plays on Sunday will undoubtedly have a big impact on the game, particularly offensively — though this Ravens team has proven they can excel in all phases. For starters, they lead the NFL in opponent red zone scoring percentage, third down defense, and, as previously mentioned, time of possession. They are third in the NFL in rushing offense this season despite suffering injuries to two of their three best running backs in the preseason.

They rank 7th in the NFL in fourth quarter offense, 23 spots above Cleveland who’s ranked third to last, and 16th in 4th quarter defense — allowing 7.3 points per 4th quarter. What keeps this team from being runaway favorites to win the AFC North is injuries. Whether it be Marcus Peters and Calaris Campbell on defense or Ronnie Stanley and Gus Edwards on offense, this team has been banged up all year.

Baltimore Ravens Depth Chart

QB: Lamar Jackson
RB1: Devonta Freeman
RB2: Latavius Murray
RB3: Patrick Ricard
WR1: Rashod Bateman
WR2: Marquise Brown
WR3: Sammy watkins
TE1: Mark Andrews

Cleveland Browns vs Baltimore Ravens Daily Fantasy Picks

The last time these two teams played it was a high scoring affair that saw over 875 yards of total offense. While both of these teams have solid running attacks, I think the value play here is in the receiving core — specifically with the tight ends. Whether it be Hunter Henry or Travis Kelce, the Browns have struggled defending tight ends in the red zone all year. If Lamar Jackson plays, Mark Andrews is going to be one of his go-tos especially without Marquise Brown at WR. Andrews is currently listed as $6,200 on DraftKings.

Similarly, Browns TE Austin Hooper has been getting more targets since the team moved off OBJ two weeks ago. For only $3,500 on DraftKings, Hooper is a strong value play that will be called on for some serious production moving forward in back-to-back games against the Ravens.