Houston Texans (8-6) vs Cleveland Browns (9-5)
Game Info: Sunday, December 24, 2023 at 1:00 pm (NRG Stadium)
Betting Odds: Houston Texans +3 -- Over/Under: 41.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Houston Texans will host the Cleveland Browns this Sunday from NRG Stadium on CBS. Baltimore enters as 3-point favorites, with the total currently sitting at 40. Stay tuned for our Browns vs Texans prediction.
Cleveland Browns Preview
Cleveland improved to 9-5 after defeating Chicago at home by three, 20-17. The Browns used a big fourth quarter to take down the Bears, and they’ll look to secure a third straight victory here in Houston. The Cleveland offense is scoring 21.9 ppg, while passing for 225.9 ypg, rushing for 123.7 ypg, and converting 31% of their third downs.
Browns Player Props
- Deshaun Watson’s injury takes away a potential revenge spot, but Joe Flacco has been very serviceable in his absence. The former Super Bowl MVP was picked off three times last week, but he remained resilient by leading a pair of fourth quarter drives to set up the victory. Flacco has passed for 939 yards, with seven touchdowns to five interceptions thru three starts.
- Jerome Ford was quiet in the Chicago victory, but he still leads the Browns in rushing with 718 yards on 174 touches.
- Amari Cooper posted his first 100-yard game in six weeks versus the Bears, and he leads the Browns in receiving yards (985), with 61 catches.
- David Njoku has put his best season together as a pro, and he leads Cleveland in receptions (69) for 704 receiving yards.
- The Cleveland defense has allowed 20.6 ppg.
Houston Texans Preview
Houston moved to 8-6 after defeating Tennessee by three in Nashville, 19-16. The Texans fittingly prevented the Titans from pulling off the upset in the classic Houston Oiler threads, and they’ll attempt to build on that versus Cleveland. The Houston offense is scoring 21.9 ppg, while passing for 277.9 ypg, rushing for 100.3 ypg, and converting 38.9% of their third downs.
Texans Player Props
- C.J. Stroud is also set to miss this contest behind center, which will put veteran QB Case Keenum back into the lineup. The former Houston Cougar brings plenty of experience to the table and it showed last week, as he delivered nicely in his first game action of 2023. Keenum went 23/36 for 229 yards, with a score and an interception, and he’ll need to be just as effective with his former team coming to town.
- Devin Singletary had a big game in Nashville last week, tallying 170 yards of offense, and he leads the Texans in rushing yards (711).
- Nico Collins remains questionable for this weekend after missing last week’s contest, but he still leads Houston in receptions (60) and receiving yards (1004).
- The Houston defense is allowing 21.1 points per game.
Cleveland vs Houston Trends
- CLE is 9-5 against the spread, with a 7-6-1 O/U record.
- HOU is 7-7 ATS, with a 5-9 over/under record.
Cleveland vs Houston Prediction
This matchup was circled and supposed to mark Deshaun Watson’s return to Houston, and although Cleveland finds themselves in midst of Flacco fever, this is going to be a tough contest to win. The Texans have won five of their last six games at NRG, with the lone loss coming to Jacksonville by three. C.J. Stroud’s absence may be the biggest issue here, as Myles Garrett and company are capable of dictating the game from the front seven. Cleveland’s defense should be able to contain former Browns QB Case Keenum, as he starts in place of C.J. Stroud, so let’s see if their momentum continues, and back them as road favorites this weekend.
Corey’s Pick Cleveland TO WIN
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
Mitch's Take...
