On Friday, the point spread for the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns grew to 20, with the 11-5 Ravens favored as they make a push to win the AFC North crown.
The Browns are 3-13, and have not been a difficult team to beat in any circumstances. It's been an injury-wracked and snakebitten year for Cleveland, whose goal for Week 18 is likely to punch out with an L and increase their chances at landing a top pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
And so, ESPN's betting site announced, "With Baltimore needing a victory to win the AFC North and the Cleveland Browns sitting several key players, the Ravens are a 20-point favorite for Saturday's divisional matchup as of Friday afternoon on ESPN BET.
"It's the largest spread in Ravens history and the biggest in the NFL since 2021, when the Arizona Cardinals (-20) beat the Houston Texans 31-5 in Week 7."
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson
Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
The game opened with the Ravens as 4.5-point favorites, according to Vegas Insider. But as injuries mounted, the Browns announced they would start ex-Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe for the first time this season.
The odds spiked from there. While other gambling sites have the Ravens as 20-point favorites, just two, FanDuel and Draft Kings, have Baltimore as 19.5-point favorites.
The Ravens are a game ahead of the 10-6 Steelers in their division, and would lose out on a tiebreaker if they can't beat Cleveland and the Steelers win.
The game kicks off in Baltimore on Saturday, Jan. 4, at 4:30 p.m. EST. Pittsburgh will play Cincinnati on Saturday night.
