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Football fans across America are brimming with excitement as NFL Super Wild Card Weekend is just days away from kicking off. The action begins at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 13 when Joe Flacco and the Cleveland Browns travel to NRG Stadium to face C.J. Stroud’s Houston Texans.
The NFL sent out the final Wild Card Schedule: pic.twitter.com/qOdfG2wvrB
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 8, 2024
The Browns enter the postseason following an 11-5 record during the regular season, which earned them the AFC’s No. 5 seed. Meanwhile, the Texans went 10-7 and won the AFC South for the first time since 2019, earning them the No. 4 seed in the conference, as well as the home-field advantage this weekend.
As far as Bovada’s Super Bowl LVIII odds go, Cleveland sits at +2500 odds (T-8th) to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in Las Vegas next month while Houston is available at +4000 (11th) to go on a championship run.
There’s a lot to unpack about this matchup, especially when it comes to betting opportunities, so let’s dive into my Browns vs Texans predictions and best bets for Saturday’s NFL Wild Card game.
Browns vs Texans NFL Wild Card Preview
Browns vs Texans Matchup Information
- Matchup: Cleveland Browns (11-6, 3-5 Away) vs. Houston Texans (10-7, 6-3 Home)
- Venue & Location: NRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024
- Game Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
- Browns vs. Texans Wild Card TV Channel: NBC
Browns vs Texans Odds & Spread
Browns vs. Texans odds are courtesy of Bovada as of Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 10:36 a.m. ET. Odds from other sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.
Browns vs Texans Spread
- Cleveland Browns -2.5 (-115)
- Houston Texans +2.5 (-105)
Texans vs Browns Over/Under
- Over 44.5 Points (-115)
- Under 44.5 Points (-105)
Browns vs Texans Moneyline
- Cleveland Browns (-145)
- Houston Texans (+125)
Updated Browns vs Texans Odds & Spread
Updated odds as of Saturday, Jan. 13 at 9:48 a.m. ET.
Browns vs Texans Spread
- Cleveland Browns -2.5 (-110)
- Houston Texans +2.5 (-110)
Texans vs Browns Over/Under
- Over 44.5 Points (-105)
- Under 44.5 Points (-115)
Browns vs Texans Moneyline
- Cleveland Browns (-135)
- Houston Texans (+115)
NFL Best Bets and Picks
Looking to get in on even more football action? Be sure to check out our NFL picks page for consensus picks for every game on any day of the year.
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Browns vs Texans Betting Trends
- Cleveland is 4-1 straight up in its last five games vs. Houston.
- Houston is 2-5 straight up in its last seven games played in January.
- Cleveland is 4-1 ATS in its last five games.
- Houston is 5-2 ATS in its last seven home games vs. Cleveland.
- The total hit the Over in each of Cleveland’s last nine road games.
- The total hit the Under in four of Houston’s last five home games.
Browns vs Texans Prediction & Best Bet: NFL Super Wild Card Weekend
If this matchup seems a bit familiar to you it’s because the Browns and Texans previously collided at NRG Stadium in Week 16. Cleveland got the last laugh on Christmas Eve, emerging with a 36-22 victory behind WR Amari Cooper’s 11-catch, 295-yard performance.
With that being said, one key player was missing from that tilt: Texans QB C.J. Stroud. The 22-year-old missed the contest due to a concussion but has since returned to the lineup, completing 75.9% of passes for 477 yards and three touchdowns without an interception over the last two games.
It’s also worth noting that the Texans average 20.5 PPG without Stroud in the lineup compared to 22.4 PPG when he does play.
But it isn’t as if the Browns don’t have a QB who can go toe-to-toe with the rookie gunslinger. Joe Flacco might be 16 years older than his counterpart, but he’s lit up the league since joining Cleveland, playing to a 4-1 record while averaging 323.2 passing yards and throwing 13 TD passes (to 8 INTs) in five starts.
The Browns likely wouldn’t have made the NFL playoffs had it not been for Joe Flacco’s tremendous late-season play.
The Browns also have the advantage of having one of the best defensive units in the league. During the regular season, Cleveland allowed the 13th-fewest points, fewest total yards, second-fewest yards per play, and the sixth-most sacks. That stellar performance also played a big role in the team owning the ninth-best average scoring margin.
Although the Texans’ offense can put up numbers under the right circumstances, the unit hasn’t been as consistent in regular weeks as it was earlier in the season. Houston averaged 23.4 points and 373.1 total yards through the first 12 games of the season compared to 19.2 points and 268.6 yards in the last five.
The Browns, meanwhile, are averaging 28.6 PPG whenever Flacco starts, scoring at least 31 points in three of those contests.
The list of QBs with 10+ playoff wins and 25+ playoff Pass TD
Tom Brady
Peyton Manning
Joe Montana
Brett Favre
Aaron Rodgers
Big Ben
Patrick Mahomes
Terry Bradshaw
John Elway
Joe FlaccoLegends only. pic.twitter.com/yr6Day1AWE
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 10, 2024
While this game should be more competitive than the Week 16 collision, I’m still taking the Browns to win. There’s been something special going on ever since Flacco joined the team and I don’t think that the Texans’ defenders are good enough to slow the Browns down.
But regardless of who wins, the Over on the 44.5-point total is appealing. For starters, Cleveland and Houston combined for 58 points last month and that was without Stroud playing. The Over also hit in each of the Browns’ eight road games thus far while the Texans’ last saw an average of 47.3 points scored.
With the NFL playoffs bringing out the best in everyone, brace for a high-scoring affair on Saturday.
Browns vs Texans Prediction: CLE wins
Best Browns vs Texans NFL Bet: 44.5 Total Points (-115)
Get 50% up to $750 on this pick over on Bovada
Best Browns vs Texans Player Prop — NFL Super Wild Card Weekend
With how he’s played this season, I have no issue taking Joe Flacco Over 271.5 passing yards as the best Browns vs. Texans player prop.
The former Super Bowl-winning QB has been terrific this season, averaging a career-high 323.2 passing yards per game. The only time that he didn’t hit the Over on this prop was in his first game, throwing for at least 301 passing yards in each of his last four starts — including a 368-yard performance against Houston.
Considering how the Texans have allowed three 300-yard passers in their last seven home games, I like Flacco’s odds of having another big day.
Best Browns vs Texans Prop: Joe Flacco o271.5 Passing Yards (-115)
Get 50% up to $750 on this pick over on Bovada
Browns vs Texans Wild Card FAQ
When is Browns vs Texans?
- The Browns and Texans will collide on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024.
Where is Browns vs Texans?
- The Browns and Texans will play each other at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
What time does Browns vs Texans start?
- Kickoff for the upcoming CLE vs. HOU matchup is slated for 4:30 p.m. ET.
How can I watch Browns vs Texans?
- Browns and Texans fans can tune in to NBC for Saturday afternoon’s matchup.
How to Bet on Browns vs Texans
- Most reputable sportsbooks offer Browns vs. Texans betting markets and future NFL slates.
