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The Cleveland Browns came oh-so-close to their first win of the season last time out, falling to the Packers in overtime. They are running out of chances to get off the schneid but hope to be competitive in Week 15 when they host the Baltimore Ravens.
The Ravens have been up and down on the season because their offense has not been as good as their defense. Baltimore is trying to squeak into the playoffs as a wild card entrant but there are a lot of teams in contention and the Ravens can’t afford to slip up the rest of the way.
Baltimore will be the road favorite in this game but Cleveland showed some fight last time out and will aim to do so again in this one.
Watch this regular season Week 15 matchup live on Sunday, December 17, 2017, at 1 p.m. ET at New Era Field.
Opening NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Baltimore Ravens -7
Cleveland Browns +7
Over/Under 40
Odds Analysis
The Cleveland Browns are touchdown underdogs but that line seems high. The betting public agrees, as more than 62 percent of the action is on Cleveland.
The scoring total is low as both of these teams have really shaky passing games, which will depress the scoring. The “over” is the more common choice, as 65 percent of the betting action is on this game to compile more points than projected.
Injury Report
Jabrill Peppers —The Browns’ rookie safety was inactive last time out against the Packers with a knee injury. He is a promising young player in the secondary and would be a nice lift if he can play. Keep an eye on his availability for this one as Peppers is a versatile piece who could have an impact.
Danny Shelton — Cleveland’s big nose tackle was inactive against Green Bay as well because of an injury to his ribs. Shelton’s main job is stuffing the run, and the Ravens have been successful pounding the ball of late with Alex Collins. The Browns could use Collins in this matchup.
Za’Darius Smith — The Ravens’ linebacker is nursing a shoulder injury which kept him out of Sunday’s loss to the Steelers. Smith isn’t a huge piece but he does have 17 tackles and 1.5 sacks as a depth piece on a terrific defense.
Scheduling Situation
Baltimore is tied for the second wild card spot, but due to tiebreakers is currently on the outside looking in. Wins in every game down the stretch would be key, and the Ravens could be favored in each of their remaining three contests.
They start with this one against Cleveland, then follow it up with a home game against the woeful Colts and wrap up the season with another home game against the struggling Bengals. Baltimore is 7-6 on the season and could very easily get to 10-6 by taking care of business in each one of these games.
The Browns are simply looking to pick up one win on the year. They already seem destined to finish with the worst record in the NFL yet again. Cleveland’s remaining games will be against the Ravens and then road games against the Bears and Steelers.
Free ATS Pick
The first step for the Ravens is this road game against winless Cleveland. The Browns have looked better with star receiver Josh Gordon in the fold and should make this game more competitive than the oddsmakers project.
Take the Ravens to squeak out a victory, but it won’t be easy. Cleveland is the choice to cover the spread, while the “under” is the choice in a game that will be low on scoring.
NFL Odds: Ravens 21, Browns 17
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