Ricky Dimon
Show Bio
The penultimate day of the 2024 NFL regular season features AFC North competition, starting with the Baltimore Ravens hosting the Cleveland Browns. Baltimore controls its own destiny in the division, hoping to hold off Pittsburgh for the title. Cleveland, of course, has long since been eliminated from playoff contention.
Here is my Same Game Parlay for the festivities, which get underway at 4:30 pm ET on ABC. Also be sure to check out our full Browns vs Ravens predictions.
Ravens -19.5 (-118)
Lamar Jackson to record 250+ passing yards (+280)
Zay Flowers to score a touchdown (+145)
Parlay odds: +850
Part of the value in a Same Game Parlay, of course, is that all of its components can be correlated if you so choose. That is the entire plan here, as Lamar Jackson dominating through the air and Zay Flowers scoring a touchdown would obviously work well with a big win for Baltimore. Let’s break down each of the 3 legs.
Ravens -19.5 (-118)
Here we have the biggest spread of the entire 2024 NFL season…. And it isn’t big enough! The Ravens are healthy, playing at home, are facing one of the worst teams in the NFL and also have a lot on the line. The Browns have none of those things. Cleveland is down to its third-string quarterback and really fourth string, as well, since head coach Kevin Stefanski have said that both Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe could see playing time on Saturday (Deshaun Watson was lost for the season a long time ago and now Jameis Winston is unlikely to suit up due to a shoulder injury). Thompson-Robinson did not even do anything of note against Cincinnati in Week 16, which is alarming given the ineptitude of the Bengals’ defense. Meanwhile, Baltimore has won 3 straight – totally humiliating the Giants (35-14), Steelers (34-17) and Texans (31-2). Another beatdown is in store.
Lamar Jackson to record 250+ passing yards (+280)
Although Jackson may not play the entire game if turns into a complete blowout in the second half, he should be able to exceed this number with some time to spare. The two-time NFL MVP is going for a third such award and has an outside chance to surpass Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen in that department if he completely goes off in the regular-season finale. In other words, motivation is there beyond simply the division title. Jackson now faces a Cleveland defense that is #29 in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (7.6). Cornerback Denzel Ward and linebacker Jordan Hicks are out, while defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson and nickel back Cameron Mitchell are questionable. Jackson has thrown for at least 207 yards in 10 of the last 12 games, including at least 280 in 7 of the last 12. Asking him to reach the 250-mark against the Browns should not to be too much – especially not at +280 odds.
Zay Flowers to score a touchdown (+145)
Similarly, Flowers should be in line for a big day at the office against Cleveland. In addition to their woes giving up chunk yardage through the air, the Browns have surrendered 24 passing touchdowns while making a mere 4 interceptions. Their secondary stinks – especially when Ward is not on the field. Flowers has scored only 4 TDs this season, but 3 have come in the past 8 contests. He caught 7 of 12 targets for 115 yards in the first head-to-head matchup of the 2024 campaign. Additional success at Cleveland’s expense should come in the form of a touchdown.
