Browns vs Ravens Predictions, Player Props & Odds (Week 18)

By Sascha Paruk in NFL Football
Published:

- The Baltimore Ravens can clinch the AFC North with a win over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday
- Baltimore is favored by nearly three touchdowns in the Browns vs Ravens spread
- Below, see the Browns vs Ravens predictions, player props, and odds for Jan. 4
The Baltimore Ravens (11-5, 5-2 home, 9-6-1 ATS) have already clinched a playoff spot, but Week 18 will determine whether they hit the road on Wild Card weekend or get to host their first playoff game. Baltimore hosts the struggling Cleveland Browns (3-13, 1-7 away, 4-12 ATS) at 4:30 pm ET at M&T Bank Stadium. The Browns have lost five straight and, as a franchise, would be better off losing in Week 18 to improve their draft position.
Cleveland Browns vs Baltimore Ravens Predictions
- Ravens -3.5 (-120) in 1st Quarter at FanDuel
- Derrick Henry first TD scorer (+260) at DraftKings Odds as of Jan. 4. Claim the BetMGM bonus code to land a promo for Week 18 or download another one of the top NFL betting apps.BETMGM SPORTSBOOKGet Up To $1,500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets
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The Browns/Ravens odds opened at an already-massive Baltimore -16.5 and, over the course of the week, that number moved as high as Baltimore -20.5. As of Saturday morning, most books list the Ravens as 20-point chalk in the Week 18 NFL odds. Certainly, motivation is part of the reason for the line movement. A loss could mean the Ravens travel to Houston next week to face the Texans on the road, while a win would allow them to stay home against either the Steelers or Chargers in the first round of the NFL playoff bracket.
But another big part of the reason for the line movement is all the injuries on the Cleveland side. The Browns are going to be without RB Jerome Ford, TE David Njoku, CB Denzel Ward, and LB Jordan Hicks, all significant contributors during a lost season for Cleveland.
At QB, Kevin Stefanski plans to give reps to both Bailey Zappe and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, with the former getting the start. In 14 games with the Patriots in 2022 and 2023, the Western Kentucky product had an ugly 78.5 passer rating with 11 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a 63.2 completion percentage.
I have my doubts about whether the Ravens are going to keep their foot on the gas for the whole 60 minutes. If they build a big enough halftime lead, John Harbaugh can give his key players a break in advance of next week’s postseason matchup. That’s why I’m targeting a first-quarter spread of Baltimore -3.5 (-120) at FanDuel. Curiously, DraftKings has this line at Baltimore -6.5 (-115). The smaller line at FanDuel allows the Ravens to cover with a touchdown even if the Browns manage a first-quarter field goal.
I’m also betting Derrick Henry to score the first touchdown of the game at +260. I don’t expect to see Henry much in the second half when the Ravens are likely to be in full control. But the five-time Pro Bowler is one of a dozen players with big money on the line in the NFL Week 18 player incentives: Henry needs just one more touchdown to get to 15 TDs on the year and land a $500,000 bonus.
I see the Ravens feeding him early and often before giving him a rest in the second half.
CLE vs BAL Player Props
Passer | Completions | Passing Yards | Passing TDs |
---|---|---|---|
Lamar Jackson (BAL) | OFF | 207.5 (O -110 | U -120) | 1.5 (O -170 | U +130) |
Bailey Zappe (CLE) | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Rusher | Rushing Attempts | Rushing Yards | Longest Rush |
Derrick Henry (BAL) | OFF | 94.5 (O -120 | U -110) | 21.5 (O -110 | U -120) |
Lamar Jackson (BAL) | OFF | 43.5 (O -115 | U -115) | 16.5 (O -110 | U -120) |
Receiver | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Longest Reception |
Jerry Jeudy (CLE) | 5.5 (O +110 | U -145) | 55.5 (O -130 | U -100) | 19.5 (O -115 | U -115) |
Zay Flowers (BAL) | 4.5 (O -120 | U -110) | 59.5 (O -115 | U -115) | 23.5 (O -115 | U -115) |
Elijah Moore (CLE) | 2.5 (O -175 | U +135) | 23.5 (O -115 | U -115) | 12.5 (O -120 | U -110) |
Mark Andrews (BAL) | 2.5 (O -170 | U +130) | 33.5 (O -120 | U -110) | 17.5 (O -105 | U -125) |
Rashod Bateman (BAL) | 2.5 (O -100 | U -130) | 30.5 (O -115 | U -115) | 16.5 (O -120 | U -110) |
The Browns/Ravens player props are a little more scant that usual with so many questions about how long the Ravens starters will play, and who’s even going to start on the Cleveland side. Lamar Jackson is the only QB listed in the passing props and has a yardage total of just 207.5. Derrick Henry, per usual, has the highest rushing yards total at 94.5.
Best Browns vs Ravens Odds
Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Cleveland Browns | +20.0 (-105) at Caesars | +1500 at FanDuel | O 41.5 (-105) at FanDuel |
Baltimore Ravens | -19.5 (-115) at DraftKings | -2400 at DraftKings | U 41.5 (-110) at BetMGM |
There is a half-point range in the Browns/Ravens spread. Caesars currently has the best option for Cleveland ATS bettors, listing the Browns at +20 (-105). DraftKings has the best option for Baltimore ATS bettors, listing the Ravens at -19.5 (-115).
On the moneyline, DraftKings also has the best odds for the Ravens, but at a hyper-short -2400, isn’t offering much. The longest odds on a Cleveland victory are at FanDuel, where the Browns are listed at +1500.
All books currently have the game total at 41.5 with only slight variations in price. The best over option is -105 at FanDuel while the best under option is -110 at any of BetMGM, bet365, Caesars, or ESPN Bet.
The NFL public betting percentages show Baltimore getting a massive 86% of moneyline handle despite the short odds, but only 55% of ATS handle. The public also loves the over, putting 81% of O/U handle on over 41.5 as of 9 am ET.
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Managing Editor
Sascha has been working in the sports-betting industry since 2014, and quickly paired his strong writing skills with a burgeoning knowledge of probability and statistics. He holds an undergraduate degree in linguistics and a Juris Doctor from the University of British Columbia.