Browns open as favorites for Week 15, Ravens underdogs in two vital games for playoffs

Early odds favor the Browns but not the Ravens. If the games actually follow suit, Cleveland has the lead in the AFC North going into Week 16 of the NFL season:

The Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens split their season series one game apiece with Cleveland’s win in Week 14. The two teams won’t face off again this regular season, a playoff matchup is possible, however. While the two teams won’t play each other, they are in direct competition for the AFC North crown.

For the Browns, if they can defeat the Las Vegas Raiders and the Ravens lose to the Green Bay Packers, the AFC North lead is their’s after Week 15. The highest priority for Cleveland is to make the playoffs but the easiest route could be as conference champion. The added benefit is that the conference champion will host the first round of the NFL playoffs.

Early betting odds from Tipico Sportsbook has Cleveland as a 5.5 point favorite over Las Vegas with a low total line of just 41.5 points. The Raiders have lost two straight and five of their last six games this year.

Back at home, with Lamar Jackson hoping to play despite an ankle sprain suffered against the Browns, Baltimore is a 4.5 point underdog to Green Bay. The Ravens have lost their last two games and four of their last seven this year while the Packers have won their last two and only lost two games since Week 1 of the season.

If both games follow these betting lines, the Browns will enter the last three weeks of the season in the driver’s seat for the AFC North. Given all the struggles this year, an impressive turnaround.