NFL Week 9 Picks: Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns

Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns
Sunday, 11/3/13, 4:25 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Baltimore -3
Current Betting Line: Baltimore -2.5
Opening Total: 40
Current Total: 41.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Baltimore Ravens have been getting after opposing quarterbacks in their last 15 games

Baltimore has lost three of its last four games by a total of eight points, but the team is tied with the Indianapolis Colts in allowing the NFL’s fourth-fewest touchdowns this season, which is important to consider when looking over the pro football odds for Week 9. The Ravens are 10-1 SU following their bye week since 2002—the best such mark in the NFL over that span. Baltimore is 7-1 SU and 5-1-2 ATS in November the last two-plus seasons, with no clear edge in terms of the betting total (4-4 Over/Under).

Dating back to last season, the Ravens’ defense has produced at least two sacks in 15-straight games. Since John Harbaugh’s arrival, Baltimore has produced a 22-10 record in AFC North play, which is the league’s third-best record by a team versus its own division. The team also owns a plus-13 turnover differential over Cleveland in its 11-game winning streak in the series. Quarterback Joe Flacco’s 13 touchdown passes versus the Browns are the most he has against any one opponent in his career.

Cleveland is third in the division standings and will look to snap a three-game losing streak, which includes a 23-17 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs as seven-point road underdogs last week, while going OVER the betting total for the third time in four contests. The Browns are 24th in the league in averaging 317 yards per game, as they’ll be led by quarterback Jason Campbell, who completed 22 of 36 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns last week. Cleveland is 3-3 SUATS as home underdogs of three or fewer points since 2011.

The Browns have the seventh-ranked overall defense, including the sixth-best unit against the pass. Cleveland rookie linebacker Barkevious Mingo leads the pass rush with four quarterback sacks. Offensively, the team doesn’t have much in terms of a running game, but veteran Willis McGahee leads the way in running the ball 79 times for 231 yards and the squad’s lone rushing touchdown.