AFC Conference Matchup
Point Spread: Browns -2 | Total Points: 44.5
Coming into this week’s AFC matchup vs the Texans, the Browns have an above .500 record at 11-6. In week 1, the Browns will be looking to recover from the 31-14 loss they suffered against the Bengals. In addition to their 17-point loss, the Browns also suffered a setback in their ATS record. They were 7.5-point underdogs at the start of the game. The over/under line for the game was 37 points, and the combined total points scored went over, reaching 45 points.
Overall, the Texans have an above .500 record at 10-7. Helping their cause is the fact that they are in the midst of a two-game winning streak. In AFC action, the team is 7-5. In week 18, the Texans hit the road to face the Colts, coming away with a 23-19 win. Houston was favored by 1.5 against the Colts and notched an ATS victory. The under hit in the Texans’ most recent game, where the teams’ combined total was 42 points. The line prior to the game stood at 47.5.
Cleveland Browns vs Houston Texans History
The first matchup between the teams saw the Browns win with a 36-22 score over the Texans. Taking the point spread into account, the Browns were the favorites by -3, and they covered it with a 14-point victory. Before the game, the over/under line was set at 40 points, a mark that the teams exceeded.
The Browns and Texans did not have any head-to-head matchups last season. But over the last three times playing each other, the Browns have a record of 3-0. The Browns also had the edge vs. the spread in these games, at 2-1. These games averaged a combined total of 50 points per game, leading to an over/under record of 2-1.
Notable Injuries
Cleveland Browns
- Michael Woods II – Achilles (Out)
- Bopete Keyes – Finger (Out)
- Dawson Deaton – Knee (Out)
- Thomas Graham Jr. – Ankle (Out)
- Daylen Baldwin – Hamstring (Out)
- Jacob Phillips – Pectoral (Out)
- Jakeem Grant Sr. – Knee (Out)
- Drew Forbes – Illness (Out)
- Jordan Kunaszyk – Knee (Out)
Houston Texans
- Cameron Johnston – Calf (Out)
- Juice Scruggs – Leg (Out)
- Brandon Hill – Undisclosed (Out)
- Tytus Howard – Hand (Out)
- Jesse Matthews – Knee (Out)
- DJ Scaife – Leg (Out)
- Kilian Zierer – Ankle (Out)
- Kenyon Green – Shoulder (Out)
- Charlie Heck – Foot (Out)
- Scott Quessenberry – Knee (Out)
- Troy Hairston – Back (Out)
Keys To Victory: Cleveland Browns
Quarterback Joe Flacco leads the Browns offense into Houston, ranked 23.3 in points per game (10th). This season, he has completed 60.3% of his passes, leading an average of 323 yards per game in the passing attack. Overall, he is 33rd among QB’s in passing yards and 33rd in attempts. Against the Texans, the team will look to get receiver Amari Cooper involved in the passing game. This year, he is averaging 8.5 targets per game, leading to an overall receiving yards total of 1250. In terms of rushing, the Browns are averaging 30.5 rushing attempts per game, placing them 12th for rushing yards. They have an average of 3.8 yards per rushing attempt.
Keys To Victory: Houston Texans
At 22.2 points per contest, the Houston offense is 12th in the league. C.J. Stroud is starting for the Texans in this game. Over the course of 15 games, he has completed 63.9% of his passes and currently ranks 8th among quarterbacks in passing yards. His passer rating stands at 100.8. This season, the Houston offense has been able to put up points at an above-average rate, even though they have struggled to move the ball on the ground. So far, they are averaging just 3.7 yards per attempt, leading to a per-game average of 96.9.
Betting Trends
- Through their last three road games, Cleveland has an ATS record of just 1-2. However, their overall record was 1-2 while averaging 23 points per game.
- The Texans are 3-2 ATS in their last home games and 3-2 straight-up.
- As the betting underdog, the Texans have an ATS record of 3-2 in their last five games. In these matchups, their, straight up record was 3-2.
- Cleveland has done well both straight up and vs the spread when favored to win the game, going 5-0 SU and 5-0 ATS in their last five games.
Prediction
- Houston Texans 23 – Cleveland Browns 21
