The Cleveland Browns’ season is limping to a close after a Week 17 loss to the Miami Dolphins, leaving fans counting down the days until this forgettable campaign ends.
With a dismal 3-13 record, many Browns supporters are quietly hoping for one final loss to improve their chances at landing the coveted No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
With Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback, the offense has struggled, making even basic scoring drives feel like a monumental task.
The oddsmakers have taken notice, installing Cleveland as historic 20-point underdogs against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18.
The spread, already substantial, shifted even further in Baltimore’s favor when Bailey Zappe was named Cleveland’s starting quarterback.
It is also worth noting that this is the NFL’s largest point spread since 2021, when the Arizona Cardinals were favored by 20 points over the Houston Texans, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
The Ravens are up to 20-point favorites against the Browns since it was reported that Bailey Zappe is starting at QB for Cleveland, per @ESPNBET.
It's the largest spread in the NFL since 2021 (Cardinals 20-point favorite vs Texans), per @ESPNStatsInfo.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) January 2, 2025
There’s an interesting silver lining for the Browns to consider: A victory would match the biggest upset in the Super Bowl era, dating back to 1966, according to ESPN BET.
That’s quite the motivation for a team looking to end its season on a high note.
The Browns are currently 20.0-point underdogs vs. the Ravens this week ?
A Cleveland win would match the largest upset in the Super Bowl era (since 1966). pic.twitter.com/U7Iddrcby6
— ESPN BET (@ESPNBET) January 2, 2025
While Zappe gets the starting nod against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, head coach Kevin Stefanski suggested Thompson-Robinson might play as well.
For Zappe, this represents his first NFL action since 2023 with the New England Patriots, and he’ll become Cleveland’s fourth starting quarterback this season, joining Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston and Thompson-Robinson.
The stakes couldn’t be more different for these teams heading into Week 18.
Baltimore has its sights set on clinching the AFC North title, while Cleveland finds itself in a race with the New England Patriots, New York Giants and Tennessee Titans for the top pick in next year’s draft.
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