Free NFL Picks For Today 1/4/2025
Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens
Browns at Ravens Injuries
Receiver Woods is out for Cleveland. On defense a tackle, linebacker and corner are out with a nickelback questionable. Baltimore’s left guard is questionable. Their defensive starters are healthy. Baltimore has a massive injury advantage based on Dr. Chao ratings. The heath rating is massive for Baltimore on both sides of the field.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Browns at Ravens 4:30PM ET—Cleveland drops to 3-13 following their 20-3 home defeat to Miami. The Browns gained 276 yards with 114 rushing for 4.1 yards a carry. On defense they allowed 280 yards to the Dolphins with 74 rushing for 2.7 yards a carry. Dorian Thompson Robinson completed 24 of 47 for 170 yards with an interception. Baltimore improved to 11-5 with their 31-2 road win at Houston. The Ravens posted 432 yards with 251 rushing for 5.8 yards a carry. Defensively they held the Texans to 211 yards with 153 passing on 32 attempts. Lamar Jackson hit 10 of 15 for 168 yards and two touchdowns.
The Pick with the Explanation
The temperature will be 31 degrees with sunny skies but 17 miles per hour wind. Cleveland has been eliminated from the playoffs. A Ravens win or tie will clinch the AFC North. Bailey Zappe will start at quarterback for Cleveland. Zappe saw significant action for the Patriots last year and completed 60% of his passes for 6 yards per pass attempt. The Browns offense has scored seven or fewer points in their past three games. They have gone under in four straight. The Ravens defense shut out the Texans last week as two points were scored by Houston via a safety. The Browns will have trouble scoring in this game. Play Cleveland and Baltimore under 41.5.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Pick Prediction 1/4/2025
Bengals at Steelers Injuries
Running back Brown, receiver Higgins and their right tackle are questionable for Cincinnati. On defense an end is out with corner questionable. Pittsburgh starters on offense are healthy with a corner on defense questionable. Pittsburgh has a significant injury advantage based on the Chao ratings. The lowest health rating is the Bengals defense at 77.2.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Bengals at Steelers 8PM ET—Cincinnati improved to 8-8 with their 30-24 home win to Denver. The Bengals gained 499 yards with 115 rushing for 4.1 yards per run. Defensively they allowed 329 yards to the Broncos with 206 passing on 31 attempts. Joe Burrow completed 39 of 49 for 412 yards with three touchdowns. Pittsburgh fell to 10-6 after their 29-10 road defeat to Kansas City. The Steelers put up 364 yards with 202 rushing for 6.5 yards a carry. On defense they allowed 389 yards to the Chiefs with 320 passing on 38 attempts. Russell Wilson hit 23 of 37 for 205 yards with an interception.
The Pick with the Explanation
It will be 20 degrees in Pittsburgh with clear skies and 14 miles per hour wind. If Baltimore wins the Steelers will be a wild card team and will be playing for seeding purposes. Cincinnati with a win will keep their playoff hopes alive as they will need help on Sunday. Will the Steelers risk injury for the sake of improving their seeding? With a Ravens and Steelers win they travel to Houston. With a loss and a Chargers win, the Steelers are at Baltimore next week. Cincinnati has won four straight. Their first string could be facing reserves for the Steelers. The Bengals have covered 7 of 8 on the road. Pittsburgh has lost and failed to cover three straight as they averaged 13.3 points per game while surrendering 30 points. In this span the Steelers are allowing 74% completions, 263 yards passing and 8.5 yards per pass attempt. Play Cincinnati -2.5.