The Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans face off on Saturday in the NFL Wild Card Round at NRG Stadium. Let’s look at the betting matchup and give a free Browns vs Texans prediction.
Can Joe Flacco Lead the Browns to a Playoff Win?
When Deshaun Watson went down for the season, not many saw the Browns making the playoffs, but in stepped Joe Flacco who looks like an elite quarterback. Three games ago when the Browns faced off against the Texans, Flacco had a big game. He completed 27 of his 42 passes for 368 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. The interceptions can’t be a problem again here. On the season, Flacco has thrown 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Jerome Ford has been the top back and he has rushed for 813 yards and four touchdowns. Myles Garrett is dealing with a shoulder injury and he’s questionable for this game. If he can’t go, that is going to be a big loss for them.
Browns Betting Trends
- The Browns have won each of their last nine games as favorites against AFC South opponents.
- The Browns have covered the spread in each of their last six games as favorites.
- The Browns have lost the first quarter in four of their last five games as road favorites.
- The Browns have scored the first touchdown in each of their last eight games as favorites against AFC South opponents.
- The Browns have won the first half in each of their last six games as favorites following a road loss.
CJ Stroud Is the X-Factor for the Texans
CJ Stroud looks like he could be the MVP at some point, and a win here would make his rookie season even better. The Texans come into this game with a 10-7 record overall and they have gone 9-8 against the spread. In the last game against the Indianapolis Colts, the Texans were leading at halftime, and they ended up holding on for the 23-19 victory. Stroud completed 20 of his 26 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns. Devin Singletary finished with 63 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Nico Collins is having a huge rookie season and he caught nine passes for 915 yards and a touchdown in the last game.
Texans Betting Trends
- The Texans have lost each of their last five games at NRG Stadium when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Texans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five home games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Texans have lost the first half in each of their last five January home games against AFC opponents.
- The underdogs have won the first quarter in each of the Texans’ last two Wild Card Round games.
- Four of the Texans’ last five postseason games at NRG Stadium have gone UNDER the total points line.
Browns vs Texans Betting Prediction
The Texans are at home and they shouldn’t be the underdogs in this game. Flacco in his last start against the Texans threw two interceptions and the turnovers are going to be an issue again here. Stroud is the real deal for the Texans and he’s going to have no issue running up the score against the Browns defense. The Texans offense is going to be the x-factor and they are going to get the job done here. You can take the points with them here if you want, but the play is with Houston on the money line.