Baltimore Ravens M.L -125
- The Browns just played the Saints in their home opener and got a huge win. It was the first win for new head coach Mike Pettine who got a gatorade bath. It had been a decade since the Browns won a home opener and they celebrated like they won the Super Bowl. "I couldn't be prouder, couldn't be happier for all the work [put in],'' said coach Mike Pettine. "Just going back to the spring, the time that those guys have put in. Not just the players, but the coaches... "I can't lie, it feels great,'' he said. "I have a big ole' cigar with my name on it waiting for me. " - http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2014/09/cleveland_browns_new_orleans_s_1.html#incart_big-photo
- Teams after playing the Saints are only 38% Against the Spread the following week since 2005.
- Despite beating the Saints the Browns lost the yards battle and Yards per Play, and are 30th in the league in Yards Per Play after the first two weeks. They came back from 27-3 in week 1 @ Pittsburgh, but they also got down 27-3, so you can slice that any way you want, but they also lost the yards per play battle in that game too.
- Browns won the turnover margin against the Saints 2-0 and were 2-2 on 4th downs. Everything broke right for them and they still needed a last minute drive to win.
- The Ravens last played on Thursday Night Football. If a team has extra time to prepare against an opponent, I want the coach to take advantage of it and I trust Harbaugh to do that... Ravens have played a Thursday Night game each of the last 4 years and have won the following game all 4 times.
- The Browns have a bye week next week. I don't remember the stats for teams with a bye week coming up but it is not good. With the new CBA agreement making 4 consecutive days off mandatory during the bye, some players must be looking ahead.
Good spot for Baltimore, bad spot for Cleveland, the Ravens are a better team, so I expect them to win. G.L