Houston Texans vs Cleveland Browns Prediction & Betting Tips - NFL

Prediction published on 11/01/2024, 16:30  by Matthew Newman in NFL Predictions

The first game of the playoffs and wildcard weekend will see the 11-6 Cleveland Browns heading south to take on the 10-7 Houston Texans. It was only Christmas Eve that these teams last met, the Browns running out 36-22 winners. The big difference for the Texans on this occasion is that rookie sensation C.J. Stroud is back taking the snaps and running the show. Three wins in their last four games were enough to see them claim the AFC South title, the sole defeat in that time being that Browns game. 2019 was their last division win before a game of head coach roulette that finally led them to DeMeco Ryans. The rookie head coach and his rookie quarterback have combined to drag the Texans into the playoffs and while this might be as far as they go this year, the potential for the future is clear. Ryans was the defensive rookie of the year in 2006 when a linebacker for the Texans in his playing days and Houston clearly suits him. A win in Indianapolis against the Colts on the final day saw them clinch, an impressive effort given their lack of experience. Stroud has quickly made up into a leader and one who is remarkably careful with the ball for a rookie. This is by far his biggest test but everything he has done so far suggests he will cope.

It has been one of the surprises of the season that the Browns have thrived with Joe Flacco at quarterback down the stretch. His career looked done but injuries saw him as the fourth different starter for the Browns and he has far exceeded expectations. They were always in control of the Texans when they met before Christmas, up 36-7 before a pair of garbage-time touchdowns gave the Texans some respectability. Confidence will be high after resting their big guns against the Cincinnati Bengals in the final week of the regular season to take on the Texans in the best shape that they can. Amari Cooper had a ridiculous game with 275 receiving yards on Christmas Eve, a success which covered the fact that the Browns failed to run the ball to any extent. Cooper missed the final two games of the season, but he will be moving heaven and earth to suit up here. The Texans' run defence is a strong point but the Browns need to get the run game working to balance the attack as Cooper won't put up those numbers again, averaging less than 50 yards in his other two career games against the Texans. It's on defence where the Browns truly excel, the number one ranked D in the league and that has the potential to be the game changer here.