NFL Sportsbook – Baltimore vs Cleveland

Fans of the NFL Sportsbook know that the Baltimore Ravens are fully intent on winning the AFC North and getting a first-round playoff bye.

On Sunday they will hook up with the Cleveland Browns in football action that is set to begin at 1 PM ET at Cleveland Browns Stadium (natural turf). The Ravens are a 3.5-point favorite in the NFL sportsbook, with the total posted at 39.5 points.

NFL Sportsbook Betting

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Baltimore Ravens (10-4 SU, 7-6-1 ATS) at Cleveland Browns (5-9 SU & ATS)

Live at Cleveland Browns Stadium

Cleveland, O.

Sunday, December 26 — 1 PM ET

TV: CBS

NFL Sportsbook Odds:

Baltimore -3.5

Cleveland +3.5

Total 39.5

Here are some of the NFL sportsbook trends as they impact our prediction on this game:

• Baltimore has won four of its last five games SU
• Baltimore has played four of its last six games OVER the total
• Cleveland has played six of its last nine games OVER the total
• Cleveland has lost four of its last six games SU
• Cleveland has covered one of its last six games
• Cleveland has covered two of its last six road games
• Cleveland has played four of its last five home games OVER the total
• Cleveland has lost 13 of its last 19 home games SU

Baltimore got a running game going against the Saints last week, with Ray Rice rambling for 153 yards (his second 100-yard game of the season). the tie-breakers have yet to work themselves out, but the Ravens will know when they step on the field whether they are a half-game ahead of Pittsburgh or a half-game behind (most likely a half-game behind, with the Steelers a 14.5-point favorite over Carolina).

There’s no guaranteed cakewalk here. Cleveland is a team that has been trying very hard, although they are often going to come up short because of their talent level. Seven of the Browns’ losses have come by seven points or less, so they are one score away from turning things around. You ave to credit the defense for much of that. Cleveland has forced teams to gain 18.2 yards for every point they’ve scored, and that is a figure that is actually better than Baltimore’s.

Here are the head-to-head NFL sportsbook betting trends that have a bearing on this game:

• Six of the last eight meetings have gone OVER the total
• Baltimore has won the last five meetings SU
• Baltimore has covered four of the last five meetings
• Cleveland has covered four of the last six meetings as the road team

Colt McCoy is being given every opportunity to cement his status as the Browns’ quarterback for next year. The rookie from Texas had his best game as a pro last weekend, completing 19 of 25 for 243 yards and two TD’s, with as 132.6 passer rating. he’s already made starts against the Steelers, Patriots, Saints, Jets and Jaguars – five teams who may all wind up in the playoffs – so there is nothing he should be intimidated by. NFL sportsbook followers know that McCoy may have to impress someone totally different next year, as there is no guarantee that Mangini will be able to keep his job.

Cleveland comes back home after three straight road games, during which time they scored 36 points and failed to get to 300 yards. They were able to get by Miami on a late interception thrown by Chad Henne that was turned into a touchdown, and then they lost to Buffalo and Cincinnati while generating very little offense. These are not good signs. How hungry is Baltimore? Maybe that’s the question and maybe we got our answer with the effort against the Saints. John Harbaugh’s team will be in the playoffs, but there is a difference between traveling for a wild card game and hosting a game, which paves the way for a trip to the AFC title contest. I don’t think we’re getting enough points here with the underdog, so it’s the Ravens minus the points in the NFL sportsbook for Sunday.

JAY’S PLAY: BALTIMORE -3.5 **
(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)

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