It is disconcerting to say the least when you’ve got to suit up for an NFL game barely 4 days after playing your last one…
But such is the modern-day NFL gauntlet.
Welcome to Thursday Night Football. I don’t think this ratings-grab night was in Art Modell’s original “Monday Night Football” pitch, but nevertheless this is what is has become…
According to ACCUSCORE.com, the Baltimore Ravens are a heavy favorite, winning 87% of computer simulations over the Cleveland Browns. Joe Flacco is averaging 244 passing yards and 1.9 TDs per simulation and Ray Rice is projected for 93 rushing yards and a 54% chance of having at least 1 rushing TD. In the 13% of simulations where Cleveland Browns wins, Brandon Weeden averages 0.88 TD passes vs 1.02 interceptions, while in losses he has a ratio of 0.56 TDs to 1.94 interceptions. Trent Richardson averages 78 rushing yards and 0.94 rushing TDs when Cleveland Browns win and 39 yards and 0.32 TDs in losses. Baltimore Ravens have a 70% chance of forcing more turnovers than they commit. Positive turnover margin helps them win 95% of the time.
The Baltimore Ravens are favored by nearly two touchdowns to secure their ninth straight win over the Cleveland Browns when they host their division rival this Thursday night at M&T Bank Stadium.
Through three games this season, the Baltimore Ravens have certainly passed their tests. Despite a very tough early schedule facing Cincinnati, Philadelphia, and New England, the Ravens have a 2-1 straight up and ATS record and are averaging 32.7 points on offense while giving up only 22.3 points on defense.
Baltimore was on the wrong end of a late touchdown drive in a 24-23 loss to Philadelphia in Week 2, but on the right end of a last-second field goal in Sunday’s 31-30 win over New England.
In most years, being in the same company as the New Orleans Saints would be a good thing. But here in 2012, Cleveland enters Week 4 as the only team other than the Saints to be winless through three games.
Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden are going through predictable growing pains as rookies, and the defense has taken a step backwards with star cornerback Joe Haden out on a four-game suspension for using performance enhancing drugs. Cleveland is 1-1-1 ATS.
Cleveland Browns fans have hated the Baltimore Ravens since their inception in 1996, when then-owner Art Modell deserted the city of Cleveland and moved the Browns to Baltimore.
Of late, Browns fans have had even more reason to hate the Ravens, as Baltimore has won eight straight games against Cleveland while going 6-2 ATS over that span.
Baltimore’s winning streak isn’t likely to come to an end this week. But with five of the last six games in this series going UNDER the total and three of the last four being decided by 10 points or less, 13 points seems like a lot of points in a division rivalry game.
On primetime, the Browns won’t want to be embarrassed by their former team, and should be able to keep the game to within 10 points with their best effort.
[Note—“ATS” means “against the spread”…..]Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
