NFL: BALTIMORE at CLEVELAND (8:35 PM ET, ESPN)
Week 10 wraps up with the second inter-divisional game in the AFC North between Baltimore and Cleveland, as the Ravens visit the Dawg Pound. The Browns have had two weeks to get ready, making it a very dangerous spot for the Ravens, coming off the loss at
2009-11-16
Week 10 wraps up with the second inter-divisional game in the AFC North between Baltimore and Cleveland, as the Ravens visit the Dawg Pound. The Browns have had two weeks to get ready, making it a very dangerous spot for the Ravens, coming off the loss at Cincinnati and facing a second straight rested divisional foe on the road. An 11-point chalk line greets the Ravens as they land in Cleveland, and 97% of bettors at Sportsbook.com are ignoring the rich history of the double-digit home dog on Monday Night Football, choosing instead to back Baltimore in a rout.
Obviously, Baltimore (-10.5) is expected to win here, and the favorite has been the way to go in Cleveland’s post-bye week games, 7-1 ATS in L8. However, the Ravens have struggled in Cleveland of late, going just 2-3 SU & 1-4 ATS in their L5 visits. The Browns are looking to snap a 6-game losing streak vs. divisional foes, but they are 2-1 ATS in that scenario in ’09. Baltimore is 4-1 ATS on the divisional road under John Harbaugh.
Even the biggest of Browns fans is fed up. “Dawg Pound Mike,” whose real name is Mike Randall, could have more of an impact Monday night than anyone in uniform. The longtime season-ticket holder in the front row of the rowdy end zone bleacher section is encouraging fans to stay away from their seats for the opening kickoff of this game against Baltimore to send a message to owner Randy Lerner about the sad state of the franchise.
The Browns, off to a 1-7 start under new head coach Eric Mangini and well on their way to an eighth double-digit loss season since 1999, haven’t won at home this year and overall have been outscored by a 209-78 margin. They’ve scored only five offensive touchdowns in 2009, and quarterbacks Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn have combined for three touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. Even Josh Cribbs, the team’s most spectacular player, has been picked off.
The protest, announced on the website www.mobiledawg.com, brought an electronic response from Lerner, who even met with Randall.
“On the grounds of frustration and irritation with performance, then that’s the medicine I (we) are going to take, and I accept that,” Lerner wrote in an e-mail. “The goal this year was to rebuild the culture at the Browns. We felt at the end of last year that we lacked any overall philosophy, approach or direction regarding recruiting, drafting, coaching, preparation or training. As a result, each season was feeling like starting over and 4-12 following 10-6 felt painfully not all that surprising.”
Cleveland will need a lot of luck to match last year’s win total, and it would be stunning if it turns the table on the Ravens and avenges a 34-3 loss in Week 3. By rolling out Anderson again, Mangini would be sending his own message to fans. The former Pro Bowl quarterback has thrown at least one interception in each of his six appearances this year, including three at Baltimore in relief of Quinn. Remarkably, Anderson’s completed 12 or fewer passes in four of five starts.
The Ravens racked up 479 total yards in the first meeting, with quarterback Joe Flacco throwing for 342 and a score and the backfield combination of Ray Rice and Willis McGahee combining for 115 and three touchdowns.
PREDICTION
It’ll be interesting to see how many seats will be empty come 8:30 p.m. eastern time on Monday. It’s likely to be in the hundreds, if not the thousands, making Randall the biggest difference-maker on the home side. The Browns could make it interesting. BALTIMORE 20, CLEVELAND 13
2009-11-16
Week 10 wraps up with the second inter-divisional game in the AFC North between Baltimore and Cleveland, as the Ravens visit the Dawg Pound. The Browns have had two weeks to get ready, making it a very dangerous spot for the Ravens, coming off the loss at Cincinnati and facing a second straight rested divisional foe on the road. An 11-point chalk line greets the Ravens as they land in Cleveland, and 97% of bettors at Sportsbook.com are ignoring the rich history of the double-digit home dog on Monday Night Football, choosing instead to back Baltimore in a rout.
Obviously, Baltimore (-10.5) is expected to win here, and the favorite has been the way to go in Cleveland’s post-bye week games, 7-1 ATS in L8. However, the Ravens have struggled in Cleveland of late, going just 2-3 SU & 1-4 ATS in their L5 visits. The Browns are looking to snap a 6-game losing streak vs. divisional foes, but they are 2-1 ATS in that scenario in ’09. Baltimore is 4-1 ATS on the divisional road under John Harbaugh.
Even the biggest of Browns fans is fed up. “Dawg Pound Mike,” whose real name is Mike Randall, could have more of an impact Monday night than anyone in uniform. The longtime season-ticket holder in the front row of the rowdy end zone bleacher section is encouraging fans to stay away from their seats for the opening kickoff of this game against Baltimore to send a message to owner Randy Lerner about the sad state of the franchise.
The Browns, off to a 1-7 start under new head coach Eric Mangini and well on their way to an eighth double-digit loss season since 1999, haven’t won at home this year and overall have been outscored by a 209-78 margin. They’ve scored only five offensive touchdowns in 2009, and quarterbacks Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn have combined for three touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. Even Josh Cribbs, the team’s most spectacular player, has been picked off.
The protest, announced on the website www.mobiledawg.com, brought an electronic response from Lerner, who even met with Randall.
“On the grounds of frustration and irritation with performance, then that’s the medicine I (we) are going to take, and I accept that,” Lerner wrote in an e-mail. “The goal this year was to rebuild the culture at the Browns. We felt at the end of last year that we lacked any overall philosophy, approach or direction regarding recruiting, drafting, coaching, preparation or training. As a result, each season was feeling like starting over and 4-12 following 10-6 felt painfully not all that surprising.”
Cleveland will need a lot of luck to match last year’s win total, and it would be stunning if it turns the table on the Ravens and avenges a 34-3 loss in Week 3. By rolling out Anderson again, Mangini would be sending his own message to fans. The former Pro Bowl quarterback has thrown at least one interception in each of his six appearances this year, including three at Baltimore in relief of Quinn. Remarkably, Anderson’s completed 12 or fewer passes in four of five starts.
The Ravens racked up 479 total yards in the first meeting, with quarterback Joe Flacco throwing for 342 and a score and the backfield combination of Ray Rice and Willis McGahee combining for 115 and three touchdowns.
PREDICTION
It’ll be interesting to see how many seats will be empty come 8:30 p.m. eastern time on Monday. It’s likely to be in the hundreds, if not the thousands, making Randall the biggest difference-maker on the home side. The Browns could make it interesting. BALTIMORE 20, CLEVELAND 13
NFL: BALTIMORE at CLEVELAND (8:35 PM ET, ESPN) News
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