Ravens vs. Browns: NFL Week 14 betting odds, preview, and pick

For the first time in 30 years, an NFL team will play the same regular-season opponent in back-to-back games. It is a scheduling oddity that gives us a rematch of a closely contested Sunday night contest from two weeks ago, with the Baltimore Ravens set to take on the Cleveland Browns in an important matchup for the AFC North division standings.

Let’s take a closer look at the game.

The Ravens are 8-4 straight up following a loss last week to the Pittsburgh Steelers. They are 5-7 against the spread. The Browns are just 6-6 straight up and are coming off a bye. They are also 5-7 against the spread and are installed as a 2.5-point favorite in this game, with a total of 43 points.

The Ravens won the last matchup, 16-10.

Both offenses struggling

Each of these teams has struggled recently on the offensive side of the ball. The Ravens have averaged less than 16 points per game over their last four games, with quarterback Lamar Jackson struggling with accuracy.

The Browns have been even worse, averaging just nine points per game over their last three games. Cleveland is thought to have a consensus top-five offensive line in all of football, making the struggles that much more puzzling.

Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield has been banged up for almost the entire 2021 season, and it is probably fair to question if these injuries have made his play less effective.

He’s just 24th in the league in passing yards, and 21st in passer rating among normal starters. He fortunately isn’t throwing a lot of interceptions, but the offense doesn’t look like one that has plenty of receiving talent to complement its top offensive line and a pair of excellent running backs.

For the Ravens, Jackson’s recent ball security has come into question. He had four interceptions in the last game between these teams, and his 13 on the year are second most in the NFL. If Jackson can’t turn things around quickly, the Ravens will find the rest of the year a struggle and have a quick playoff exit awaiting them in the future.

Ravens and Browns betting trends

• Lamar Jackson is 5-1 straight up against the Browns
• Ravens are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games in December
• Ravens are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games as a road underdog
• Ravens are 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings between these teams
• Browns are 2-13-1 ATS in their last 16 home games versus teams with a winning record

Browns are below average

There was plenty of hype on this Browns team heading into 2021, on the heels of their playoff berth in 2020, but things have been a disappointment. They’ve been outscored by 13 points on the year and are last in the division.

Injury luck has not been on their side, but there is no relief for valid excuses in this league. The Ravens won the first matchup in this game despite Jackson’s four turnovers, and Jackson has had the Browns’ number during his time in the league.

The Ravens have been the better team in both facets this year and should cruise to an easier victory in this second matchup.

Score prediction: Ravens 24, Browns 20

NFL Week 14 pick: Ravens -3