NFL Monday Night Football - Lock Alert as Ravens visit Browns

If you haven’t seen ESPN’s 30-for-30 series yet, then you’re missing out on some big stuff. Amongst the thirty great sports stories is a movie about how Baltimore received a second NFL franchise after the Baltimore Colts headed to Indianapolis. In 1996, talks between Baltimore and the league intrinsically robbed poor Cleveland of their team. The legacy of the Browns remained in Ohio, and the team was reactivated in 1999. Since then, the Browns have been a laughing stock of the league and the Ravens have touted one of the scariest defenses, an all-world linebacker in Ray Lewis and an eventual Super Bowl in 2000.

Ten years later, and not much has changed.

The Ravens have been battling their own reputation all season, falling to a 4-4 record while going 5-3 against the NFL betting spread. Though they’re just 1-4 SU in their past five games, they’re 5-2 SU in their last seven games against Cleveland. While the playoffs are not out of the question for the Ravens, they’re a far cry for the Cleveland Browns who have just one win on the season.

Backing up the hopes of Cleveland bettors is a 4-1 ATS record when hosting a Baltimore team that was rightfully theirs in the 90’s. Destroying hopes is the memory of a 34-3 loss to Baltimore earlier this year and a the fact that Cleveland has scored one offensive touchdown in the past month of football since going toe-to-toe with the Bengals. Mangini can play guessing games with his quarterbacks all he wants, but as I’ve said, picking between Quinn and Anderson is like your mom saying you’re getting a surprise in your lunch that’s either a crap sandwich or a poop salad.

Baltimore Ravens (4-4) vs. Cleveland Browns (1-7)
Monday, November 16th --- Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland – 8:30pm EST
NFL Betting Line: Baltimore -11 (38.5)

The Browns passing game, and their running game, are pretty much dead. Jamal Lewis is collecting a pay check and has already planned out his retirement. Eric Mangini is getting roasted by Lewis for his tough practices,, which in turn yield awful results. Cleveland, as always, is a mess, which is why I’ve been lobbying for a name change to the Cleveland Steamers. It just make sense.

Don’t fret about the betting trend of 4-1 ATS in favor of the Browns versus the Ravens. This is a game that Baltimore absolutely must win, and a rowdy Monday night crowd isn’t going to deter Baltimore. If we know anything, there’s a group of teams that excel at beating up on bad football teams. Philadelphia and San Diego are in that group, but Baltimore is the leader of the pack.

Furious Free Pick: Baltimore -11 (OVER)