Baltimore (-11) at Cleveland (+11)

(O/U) 38½

Tonight at 8:30 PM ET

Just like on of my favorite Harrison Ford flicks, the Baltimore Ravens (4-4 SU, 5-3 ATS, 4-4 O/U) are in ‘clear and present danger’ BetUS NFL sports betting members.

That’s right pro football enthusiasts. The Ravens, who once looked like sure bets to secure at least one of the two available wild card spots in the AFC, are now in danger of having their postseason hopes dashed altogether.

The Ravens have dropped four of their last five games, including a dismal 17-7 loss to their surging AFC North rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, in Week 9. Thankfully, Baltimore has a very winnable game on their hands with tonight’s matchup against another AFC North division rival, the Cleveland Browns (1-7 SU, 3-5 ATS, 3-5 O/U) scheduled to get underway tonight at 8:30 PM ET.

Losers of three consecutive games, the dysfunctional Browns have switched quarterbacks for the second time this season, once again turning to former starter Brady Quinn as they hope to win their first home game of the season in this contest.

Let’s take a look at some of the key trends for tonight’s Monday Night Football contest and what each team must do to the victory in what has turned out to be an unexpectedly meaningful matchup.

Ravens are 8-0 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.

Browns are 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 home games.

Over is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings.

Under is 3-1-2 in the last 6 meetings in Cleveland.

Home team is 8-3 ATS in their last 11 meetings.

Ravens are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 meetings in Cleveland.

What the Browns must do to win

Pray for a miracle! Okay, okay, while some prayer certainly couldn’t hurt the pitiful Browns, what Cleveland really needs to do is move the ball – and get in the end zone against a Ravens defense that is not nearly as strong this season as they have been over the last decade or so.

With the Ravens giving up 19.2 points per contest this season, Brady Quinn must and the Browns must move the ball and score against a Baltimore team that has averaged 25.8 points per game this season.

Cleveland must also avoid turning the ball over as they are ranked dead last in this department, as they are giving up the ball an average of 2.9 times per contest.

What the Ravens must do to win

Step on the throats of their lesser opponents while forcing Quinn into some mistakes and squashing any hopes the Browns may have of a victory.

Baltimore has averaged just 18.2 points per game in its four losses and needs to score early and often to deflate a Cleveland team that has struggled mightily this season on both sides of the ball.

The Ravens also need to play error-free football as Joe Flacco has thrown five picks in the team’s four losses this season.

Analysis: Despite their recent struggles – and the high number of shocking outcomes in Week 10 – I like the Baltimore Ravens to win this contest handily and right a ship that has gone horribly off course the last few weeks.

Now 2.5 games behind the streaking Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC North, Baltimore knows it can’t afford too many more poor efforts if they hope to remain in playoff contention.

However, with the Cleveland Browns being too thin to win and too light to fight, I say this game and an NFL point spread cover are in the bag for the Baltimore Ravens.

NFL Free Picks: Baltimore Ravens -11 Points