Cleveland Browns (11-6) vs. Houston Texans (10-7)
As the NFL playoffs heat up, Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans are set to battle it out for an AFC Wild Card spot on Saturday at NRG Stadium. Fans and bettors alike are eagerly awaiting this matchup; with Cleveland boasting a slightly better record, this matchup promises to be exciting as enthusiasts gather online casinos, in hopes of scoring their tickets to advance further in postseason play.
The Browns have had an outstanding offensive season this year. Both their running and receiving games have been impressively effective, highlighted by Kareem Hunt as an integral member of their running game, amassing 411 yards rushing and 9 touchdowns across 15 games played. Meanwhile Amari Cooper has been equally effective, amassing 1250 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns – making the Browns an effective force on offense.
Houston Texans’ weapons include quarterback C.J. Stroud who has completed 63.9% of his passes for 4108 yards and 23 touchdowns; his precision and playmaking have been essential in steering their offense successfully. Devin Singletary has also made major strides, rushing for 898 yards and 4 touchdowns while Nico Collins leads their receiving core with 1297 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns, providing Stroud with reliable targets to hit on occasion.
Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Texans Game Info
| When: | Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 4:30 PM ET |
| Where: | NRG Stadium |
| TV: | NBC |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
Joe Flacco QB vs. C.J. Stroud QB
Joe Flacco of the Cleveland Browns brings years of experience to this quarterback matchup and has proven himself worthy in five appearances this season, boasting an excellent completion percentage of 60.3% across five games with 1616 passing yards at 323.2 per game average over those five games he participated in, evidenced by 75-yard throws with 13 touchdowns against 8 interceptions as an indicator of his prowess leading a high-powered offense. Flacco will likely prove critical in providing steady leadership during any potentially high-pressure playoff scenario
C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans has been an absolute standout this season. Playing in all 15 games, he completed 63.9 percent of his passes for 4,108 yards – an average of 273.9 per game! His 23 touchdowns to 5 interceptions ratio showcases his efficiency and ability to protect the ball. Stroud’s mobility, accuracy and big play-making ability (75 yard longest pass!) make him an intimidating opponent; furthermore his 100.8 passer rating compares favourably against Flacco’s 90.2 rating!
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Cleveland Browns -147, Total Odds: 44.5
Betting odds favored the Cleveland Browns by a narrow margin, with moneyline odds set at -147 and point spread odds set at -2.5 indicating they should win but not by an overwhelming margin. Total odds for this game total 44.5 which suggests it might be high-scoring game that bettors may find attractive given both teams’ offensive capabilities.
Cleveland Browns Betting Trends
The Cleveland Browns have been doing exceptionally well against the spread (ATS), going 4-1 over their last five games against Houston (2-2 ATS in 9 encounters). Furthermore, most recent Browns games have gone over in terms of total scoring – something bettors monitoring over/under markets may consider an indicator.
Houston Texans Betting Trends
The Texans have had an excellent run at covering recent games against Cleveland. Over their last six, they are 4-2, with 6 games under scoring by keeping scores under. At home against them they are even stronger, as evidenced by their 5-2 ATS record in their last 7 home contests against them.
Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Texans 1/13/24 Betting Picks
Given both teams’ respective strengths and weaknesses, this game promises to be closely contested. While the Browns hold the edge in overall records, Texans have proven they can outshone expectations. When it comes to winning NFL Wild Card picks, however, the Browns might be the safer bet given their recent form and Joe Flacco’s experience playing under pressure games.
But the Texans should not be underestimated, especially after Stroud’s impressive performances this season. Betting the over is tricky but might prove worthwhile considering both teams’ offensive capabilities and recent trends; prop bets that include individual player performances such as Hunt rushing yards or Stroud passing yards may offer extra value.
