The Ravens vs Browns prediction from our desk is Baltimore Ravens 20, Cleveland Browns 17, a low-scoring AFC North game at Huntington Bank Field. That score is our own projection, not a model output.
Lamar Jackson is out with an ankle sprain, so Tyler Huntley starts again for the 4-1 Ravens. The 3-2 Browns have a real chance to level the division race at 4-2.
Baltimore gets a narrow edge for two reasons. The Ravens have the better record, and they own a one-game lead in the AFC North. Their defense also stood out in last week’s overtime win at the Atlanta Falcons.
Cleveland has a real case, though. The Browns’ defense plays man coverage at a league-high 44.4% rate, per Sportsbook Review, and that style can squeeze a quarterback who rarely throws deep. Baltimore has also gone just 7-11 in regular-season games Jackson missed since 2019.
The projection lands on a one-score game. Huntley has won his last three starts as a fill-in, but the Ravens’ offense changes shape without Jackson. Baltimore will lean on the run, protect the ball, and trust its defense.
Here are the latest lines from DraftKings, as reported by NBC Sports on Sunday.
| Market | Ravens | Browns |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | -3 (-110) | +3 |
| Moneyline | -166 | +140 |
| Total points | 39.5 | 39.5 |
Other books list the Ravens at -3.5, with totals up to 40.5. The spread was as high as Baltimore -5.5 earlier in the week, before Jackson was ruled out. Odds move quickly, so check your sportsbook before kickoff.
The projected 37 combined points sit under the total. Huntley averaged just 4.7 air yards per attempt against Atlanta, the lowest of any quarterback to face the Falcons this season, so expect a slower script.
Baltimore Ravens
Cleveland Browns
Ravens head coach Jesse Minter announced Friday that Jackson would miss a second straight game, per ESPN. Jackson hurt his ankle in the Week 4 win over the Tennessee Titans. Hendrickson returns from surgery on a broken finger suffered in Week 1, according to Yahoo Sports.
Tyler Huntley against Cleveland’s man coverage. Huntley completed 24 of 32 passes against the Falcons, but he threw fewer than 17% of his attempts 10-plus yards downfield. Cleveland’s secondary can sit on short routes, which puts pressure on Baltimore’s run game.
Baltimore’s pass rush against Cleveland’s offensive line. The Browns have allowed 19 sacks, the most in the NFL, and rank first in penalties with 49, per Squawka. Hendrickson’s return adds a proven edge rusher to that matchup.
Deshaun Watson against Baltimore’s coverage. Watson had his worst game of the season in the Week 5 loss to the New York Jets. He completed 15 of 33 passes for 155 yards and one touchdown. Cleveland coach Todd Monken now faces his former team and needs more from his quarterback.
Zay Flowers against Cleveland’s cornerbacks. Flowers leads Baltimore with 405 receiving yards but managed just 53 on eight catches last week. His toe injury and Huntley’s short passing game cap his upside.
Tyler Huntley, Ravens. Huntley scored the winning one-yard touchdown in overtime at Atlanta and has thrown four touchdowns with no interceptions in his last three games. He also played for Cleveland before the Browns cut him, and he is 1-2 in three career starts against them.
Deshaun Watson, Browns. Watson faces the pressure of a bounce-back game behind a line that has struggled to protect him. His accuracy will decide whether Cleveland can keep this game close.
Zay Flowers, Ravens. Flowers remains Baltimore’s top receiving option, and the Ravens need him to turn short throws into bigger gains.
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The Browns can level the AFC North race at 4-2 with a win. Baltimore, meanwhile, can stretch its edge over Cleveland to two games and prove it can win without Jackson.
The Ravens have found a way to win with Huntley so far, and that is why the Ravens vs Browns prediction leans toward Baltimore. Still, a game decided by one score would not surprise anyone in this rivalry.
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