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| NFL Preview: Browns vs. Ravens |
For all of the latest NFL odds for week 16 and the best football wagering options, check out Bet Phoenix, the top rated football sportsbook. When the Cleveland Browns head to Baltimore to play the Ravens on December 24 the baggage of a terrible season will travel with them, and while many of the minor team issues have been resolved new problems appear almost weekly. So far, the Browns have had last season's stud running back Peyton Hillis reduced to a mediocre player due to injuries, a quarterback controversy on whether they have their "quarterback of the future" in Colt McCoy, a total lack of a "playmaker" on offense, a wide receivers group that is much better known for drops that catches, and on and on... Lest we not forget first year head coach Pat Shurmur, an allegedly gifted offensive mind who has instilled an offense in Cleveland that has surpassed anemic and is currently on life support. Cleveland has managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory on several occasions this year, and shows no signs of breaking old habits. All of these problems could not possibly have occurred on the watch of formerly successful team President Mike Holmgren - but they did, and even Holmgren has not provided the Browns faithful with anything close to resembling a plan to turn things around. In Cleveland, fans show their support for the team these days by appearing at Browns games in the form of empty seats, as the "why bother" mentality has infected some of the best fans in football with fatal apathy. No one can blame Browns fans following a 4-10 team - after a certain point you have to turn away from the train wreck. The Baltimore Ravens on the other hand are a perennial winner, and this season is no exception with a 10-4 record and a playoff spot already clinched. Baltimore largely has their destiny in their own hands and can possibly win the AFC North, get a first round bye and gain home field advantage for much if not all of the post season with two more wins. The only issues Baltimore has had to contend with this season is the loss of Ray Lewis for four games and a penchant for losing to bad teams....like....maybe, Cleveland. As far as what the keys are to winning this game are, it all comes down to whether or not the real Baltimore Ravens show up or the version of the team that just goes through the motions against horrible opponents. At this critical point in the season odds are that the Ravens will be highly motivated to destroy the Browns in Baltimore, so they can acquire the aforementioned advantages in the post season. But wait, this is the NFL and on any given Sunday... Highly doubtful in the mind of anyone that is an objective football fan. The Browns only average 13.9 points per game this season, a statistic that will likely be reduced somewhat by a stellar Baltimore defense. Cleveland also averages 294 yards of total offense per game, and 96 of those yards come from the running game. Even when Cleveland throws the ball nearly every pass is of the short variety (very short). So in essence, fans can expect to see the Ravens defense stuffing the box with the likes of Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Ed Reed. As a result sacks, fumbles, interceptions and many 3rd down and tens will be in the Browns future. It is unclear if Colt McCoy or Seneca Wallace will start at quarterback, but given the previous points it really won't matter much. On offense the Browns simply cannot stop a good running game, and in Cleveland's previous 24-10 loss to Baltimore this season running back Ray Rice rambled for 204 yards. Add to this Joe Flacco throwing to deep threat Torey Smith and the experienced Anquan Bolden and Cleveland looks to have a sore and sorry Christmas. The Browns were trounced by the Ravens once and there is no reason to believe that this will not happen again this week. 
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The Baltimore Ravens are a good team, but they need to start beating bad teams, like the Cleveland Browns if they want to be taken seriously.
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