NFL Week 4 begins on Thursday night and we will see the Cleveland Browns travel to Maryland to take on the Baltimore Ravens. The game is scheduled for an 8:20 PM (Eastern) start time and it will be televised live on NFL Network. Currently the odds for the game have Baltimore favored by 12 points, while the total sits at 44. Currently 69% of the Public is on Baltimore, while 56% is on the Under. Find out what side the Public is taking on all the games by clicking HERE.
Free Analysis: The struggling Browns are the AFC's lone winless team after losing their third straight contest last Sunday in the Forest City when Buffalo's Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for three touchdowns as the Bills defeated Cleveland, 24-14, to earn their first road victory since Week 1 of last season. Dating back to last season, Cleveland has now lost nine consecutive contests and 12 of 13 overall. After strong performances a week earlier against the Cincinnati Bengals, rookies Brandon Weeden and Trent Richardson regressed against Buffalo. Weeden threw for a touchdown late in the third, but his two interceptions in the fourth quarter hampered the Browns, who fell to 0-3 for the fifth time in the last seven seasons. Part of Weeden's struggles should be blamed on his receivers, who haven't stepped up as playmakers. Many in Cleveland had high hopes for Greg Little, who can be electrifying after the catch but has struggled with dropped balls. The line, led by All-Pro left tackle Joe Thomas and former Pro bowl center Alex Mack, must do more to help Richardson, who has averaged just 3.5 yards a carry thus far. Richardson hasn't been explosive but has been a bell cow for Cleveland, leading the team in receptions with 11 and also rushing for 175 yards with two TDs on the season. The Browns rank among the league leaders in several defensive categories. Cleveland is tied for fifth in the NFL with nine sacks, tied for fifth with five interceptions and is sixth in total takeaways with seven.
Playing with a heavy heart on Sunday, Torrey Smith helped Baltimore exact a bit of revenge in a rematch of the AFC Championship Game from a season ago. Smith lost his brother in a tragic motorcycle accident earlier in the day but suited up and recorded six receptions for 127 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, undrafted rookie kicker Justin Tucker squeaked in a game-winning 27-yard field goal in a thrilling 31-30 win over the Patriots. Joe Flacco threw for 382 yards on 28-of-39 passing with three touchdowns and an interception against New England, while Ray Rice carried the ball 20 times for 101 yards and a score for Baltimore (2-1). The Ravens have produced 19 passes of 20-or-more yards this season, the most among all NFL teams. Flacco has spread the ball around to seven different targets for those explosive plays: WR Anquan Boldin (2), TE Ed Dickson (1), WR Jacoby Jones (5), TE Dennis Pitta (3), Rice (2), Smith (5) and WR Deonte Thompson (1). Rice remains one of the game's most well-rounded backs, averaging nearly 6.0 yards per carry and hauling in 14 passes so far, good for second on the team. His caddy, rookie Bernard Pierce has also shown flashes. Pitta, meanwhile, has become Flacco's security blanket, snaring 18 receptions while being targeted 31 times. The Ravens defense is coming off an uncharacteristic poor performance against New England and seems to be missing the consistent pass rush that the injured Terrell Suggs (Achilles) usually provides.
This game will mark the first time the Browns and Ravens will meet in Thursday night action. The Ravens own a commanding 19-7 lead in their all-time series with Cleveland and have recorded a home-and-home sweep of the Browns for four consecutive season and has won eight of nine over Cleveland at M&T Bank Stadium. In the Ravens' current eight-game run against Cleveland (all under Harbaugh), Baltimore has outscored the Browns by a gaudy 203-91 margin, and the Ravens have averaged 351.3 yards of offense while holding Cleveland to 232.8 ypg.
Free Pick: Im am looking at the Under in this one. The Ravens defense has not been as special as in years past, but they should be able to hold down this Browns offense that is not explosive at all. Brandon Weedon has struggled so far in the early going as he has just a 60.7 QB rating. He doesn't have a lot of weapons to throw to and they will need to rely on their run game in this one and that should eat clock. The Ravens defense has to be angry after allowing 401.3 ypg so far in the early going. That is not Ravens football. They have allowed just 11.4 ppg and 232.8 ypg in the last 8 meetings between these teams, so I look for them to get back on track in this one. Offensively the Ravens use the no-huddle, but on a short week and off an emotional win vs the Patriots on national TV, I expect them to slow there pace down just a bit. Cleveland has allowed 269 ypg through the Air, but just 6.6 ypa, which is 15th in the league, so Baltimore will have to work the ball down the field, instead of getting quick strikes. On a short week this game should be slowed down a bit. Baltimore will get their points, just not sure that Cleveland will counter with much. Last year the Browns scored 20+ points just once and they did that this year as well in 1 of their 3 games, but that one was vs a horrible Cincinnati defense. 36 ppg have been scored between these teams in the last 8 meeting and I look for at most 40 points in this one.
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