The game that sets everything in motion for Week 18 is the first one on the slate, as the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens play on Saturday. The Ravens are the biggest point spread favorite we’ve seen so far this season. With that in mind, keep reading for betting odds, picks and player props for this showdown. Also, make sure you head over to our Week 18 NFL Betting Hub for a look at all of our NFL betting content.

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How To Watch Browns vs. Ravens

When: Saturday, January 4th at 4:30 p.m. ET

Where: M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD

Channel: ABC/ESPN/ESPN+

Browns vs. Ravens Odds

Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook as of Friday, January 3rd. Look around for the best prices!

Moneyline: Ravens -2800, Browns +1300

Spread: Ravens -19.5 (-115), Browns +19.5 (-105)

Total: Over 41.5 (-105), Under 41.5 (-115)

Check out our Browns vs. Ravens matchup page!

Browns vs. Ravens Analysis

Anybody interested in taking the Browns at a nice, tidy 13/1 payout? Nah, me neither. But, the spread can be the great equalizer in games such as this, as Cleveland is getting a three-score head start in a game where the Ravens may not use the starters for all four quarters.

Baltimore needs a win to secure the AFC North and a home game in the Wild Card Round. The Browns need a loss to hopefully keep improving their draft position. Per the KillerSports database, this is tracking to be the biggest line since Week 7 of the 2021 season when the Cardinals were -20 against the Texans.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson gets another start for Cleveland, but head coach Kevin Stefanski said that Bailey Zappe may get a look as well. DTR has the lowest Adjusted EPA/Play of any QB over the last two weeks by a large margin and ranks 29th of 35 QBs with at least 10 plays in average depth of target. The Ravens also have had one of the league’s best pass defenses since the middle part of the season.

If the Ravens get up big, will we see Josh Johnson? The nine-year NFL vet has appeared in five games with three pass attempts during his second stint with the Ravens. The score will dictate how that scenario plays out.

The forecast has gotten a bit better for this game, as temps are expected to be in the mid-30s with wind chills in the upper 20s and sunny skies, at least at kickoff. Clouds will move in as overnight snow moves in, but the 20 mph gusts are still likely to be a factor.

Browns vs. Ravens Player Props

Elijah Moore Over 23.5 Receiving Yards (-120)

The Browns aren’t starting Zappe to hand the ball off to D’Onta Foreman and whoever else is active. Looking back at last season, I don’t think Kevin Stefanski had more fun coaching the Browns or coaching the offense than he did when Joe Flacco was the QB. Flacco’s gunslinger style is what Stefanski wants and Zappe’s career has been that while running Air Raid and West Coast Offenses as a prospect.

Jerry Jeudy might be the benefactor, but I think Zappe will find Moore more frequently than we’ve seen lately, especially with David Njoku out.

Browns vs. Ravens Pick

It is crazy to see an NFL game where the spread (+19.5) is nearly half of the total (41.5), especially when you consider that the Ravens just need to win and get out and that’s that. Johnson may be given more of a chance in the second half than most backups, but I don’t think John Harbaugh is in the business of embarrassing anybody. Baltimore’s secondary has greatly improved as the season has gone along and I think they’ll still play well with the backups out there. This second half could be the equivalent of a running clock to get everybody home healthy.

Bet: Under 41.5 (-115)

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