ESPN Chalk's Vegas experts are here to provide analysis and best bets for all Week 2 games, including the Baltimore-Cleveland matchup on Sunday.
Note: Odds courtesy of the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook as of Friday morning.
Home page for all Week 2 games
Matchup: Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns
Spread: Opened Baltimore -4.5; now Baltimore -6
Total: Opened 43.5; now 42.5
PickCenter public consensus pick: 64 percent Baltimore
Public perception: The Ravens, coming off their disappointing 5-11 season where they had a lot of injuries and lost a lot of close games, aren't the public team they once were, but the public certainly likes them more than the Browns.
Wiseguys' view: This line opened Baltimore -4.5 on Sunday afternoon and early bettors -- speculating that Robert Griffin III might be hurt more than original reports -- jumped on the Ravens. Some books went as high as 7 when it was announced the Griffin was indeed out, but now the market has mostly settled at 6.5 and sharps are split at the current number.
Dave Tuley's take: Some sharps though the +7 was an overadjustment and snapped those up, and I agree with that move. An argument can be made that the Browns aren't any worse with Josh McCown instead of RG III and most people forget that he threw for 457 yards in the Browns' 33-30 overtime win in Baltimore last year. And then they should have won the rematch in Cleveland until the Ravens blocked a potential game-winning FG and Will Hill returned it for touchdown and a 33-27 win. So, while I understand the Ravens are healthier than they were last year, we're getting a team that nearly swept the other last season and getting nearly a full touchdown at home. I'll take it.
The pick: Browns +6.5*
Erin Rynning:
From an offensive perspective, McCown replacing RG III is a positive. McCown gives Cleveland a fighting chance in the passing game; remember, as Dave noted, the Browns' 33-30 victory over the Ravens last season with McCown throwing for 457 yards. Unfortunately the Browns' defense made rookie quarterback Carson Wentz look like a future Hall of Famer in Week 1. Cleveland's stop unit is void of talent to pressure the quarterback, which opens the door for Joe Flacco and the Ravens.
The Ravens would love to jump-start their deep passing game this season and this game will provide ample opportunity. Flacco connected with Mike Wallace on a key 66-yard touchdown pass last week as there's plenty of speed among the Ravens wide receivers. Look for a higher-scoring game than expected.
Pick: Over
Mike Clay:
Projected score: Baltimore 24, Cleveland 21
The pick: Cleveland and the over