The Cleveland Browns haven’t posted a victory this season yet they’re only four games out of first place in the AFC North. We’re not saying the Browns have a chance at winning the division, which they don’t, but there is a silver lining as they attempt to get that first one. The Browns have just two victories in their past 21 outings and one of those was an overtime thriller over the Baltimore Ravens last season. The two hook up in a Thursday night Week 10 division showdown.
This contest in Week 10 of the regular season will go down Thursday, November 10, 2016, at 8:25 p.m. ET at MT Bank Stadium.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Cleveland Browns +10
Baltimore Ravens -10
Over/Under 45
Odds Analysis
When these teams met in Cleveland in Week 2, the Ravens covered the 4-point spread in a 25-20 victory. While the Browns are still winless, I can’t grasp the six-point bulge in the line making the home team a 10-point favorite. A majority of the bettors like the line with 51 percent of the early wagers going for the visitors. Every Baltimore game has been decided by one score and this could be another.
Injury Report
Cody Kessler – After missing the previous game with a concussion, Kessler returned to the starting role and sustained another beating. He limped off the field after yet another loss, this one to the Cowboys, but says he’ll be ready to play on Thursday. Not sure if that’s a good idea behind an offensive line that’s had problems protecting healthy quarterbacks.
Kenneth Dixon – Baltimore’s running game could be impacted by the chest injury Dixon suffered on Sunday. He had been splitting reps in the backfield with Terrance West following the release of Justin Forsett and the Ravens’ 28th ranked run game may slow a bit against the Browns.
Matchup to Watch
The Browns defense never stood a chance against the Cowboys on Sunday. Going against arguably the best offensive line in football, Cleveland defenders were pushed around all afternoon and the Cowboys made it look easy in a romp. The Browns won’t have to deal with a line as dominant as Dallas’ on Thursday night, but the defense needs to play better in every area.
It didn’t help that the defense received no help from mates on the other side of the ball. Cleveland converted just 1 of 9 third down chances, ran only 44 plays and mustered a mere 222 yards of offense. The defense was on the field nearly twice as long as the offense and the group wilted under the constant onslaught of the Cowboys. But poor defensive play has been an issue all season for the Browns, who became the first team in the last half century to give up at least 25 points in their first nine games. Cleveland ranks dead last in yards per game allowed, next to last in rushing yards allowed and two places from last in points per game allowed.
Free ATS Pick
The Browns won’t face a team as good as the Cowboys the rest of the way, so that’s encouraging. But they need to compete at a higher level if they want to win a game this season. The longer the season goes, the worse the Browns look. The acquisition of Jamie Collins should bolster the defense and the group definitely needs something. They are one of the worst in the NFL and it’s likely the offensively-challenged Ravens could do some damage.
The offense hasn’t contributed recently, making things much worse for the beleaguered group of defenders. The line has struggled, the running game has evaporated and the team’s failure to extend drives puts even more stress on the defense. It’s not like Baltimore has been world-beaters this season, but they snapped a four-game slide with gritty defensive effort against the Steelers. Granted, Ben Roethlisberger was a few weeks removed from knee surgery, but the Ravens did what they had to and they find themselves in a first place tie. Baltimore needed a comeback to beat the Browns earlier this season and I don’t see them winning this game by 10 points. Cleveland will play hard as it tries to avoid the worst start in team history and a repeat of last season’s matchup in Baltimore isn’t out of the question.
NFL Odds: Ravens 23, Browns 21
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