Houston Texans vs Cleveland Browns Prediction & Betting Tips - NFL

Prediction published on 22/12/2023, 13:00  by Matthew Newman | Modified on 22/12/2023 at 15:52 in NFL Predictions

The 9-5 Cleveland Browns are in Houston on Sunday evening to take on the 8-6 Texans. The Texans have been one of the surprises of the season, currently tied at the top of the AFC South. They took a blow two weeks back when they lost to the New York Jets and found themselves minus quarterback C.J. Stroud who went into concussion protocol. Although they found a way to get the job done in overtime last week against the Tennessee Titans, it was hard work without their rookie star. Stroud is looking unlikely to play on Sunday and even if he does manage to make it back, the pressure of going against the top defence in the league will make for a very hard return. Case Keenum took the snaps last week, the ex-Brown was solid throwing for 229 yards with one touchdown and a pick. The veteran is back with the team where he started in the NFL and it will be interesting to see with the mutual knowledge there is between him and the Browns who comes out on top. NRG Stadium has been a happy home for the Texans, with only one defeat in their last six games here and that was against the Jacksonville Jaguars who are the third-best road team in the NFL. 

The race for the AFC North is not over yet despite the Baltimore Ravens having a two-game lead over the Browns. The Ravens are in San Francisco to take on the 49ers this week which gives the Browns an excellent opportunity to cut the Ravens lead in half. Being on the road has seen them struggle this season and the defence which is the top rated in the league has been chalk and cheese at home and on the road. Three times at home this season they have given up three points or less, on the road they have given up 30.67 points per game on average. They might not be quite so taxed here against a Texans team who have slipped in point scoring and if Stroud is not the starting quarterback, that is a huge weapon that will not be at their disposal. The Browns do most of their damage offensively with the running game and while the Texans have not given up a huge amount of rush yards, there are only five teams to give up more rushing touchdowns than them.