Last updated on July 11th, 2024 at 10:00 am
The Houston Texans advanced to the NFL AFC Wild Card. This means that on January 13th, they will play host to the Cleveland Browns. Here are our betting picks and predictions for the Texans vs Browns Wild Card game.
Week 18’s surprising results guaranteed the Texans’ AFC South championship and postseason home-field advantage. According to NFL news reports, the chances of Cleveland winning the Super Bowl are +3,500, and they have a 2.5-point lead in the Wild Card standings. Thus, many fans are rooting for the underdog to win this game.
Texans vs Browns NFL Betting Odds
- Cleveland Browns: -120
- Houston Texans: +100
- Over/Under: 44.5
- Point Spread: 2.5
NFL AFC Wild Card Prediction and Analysis for 01/13/2024
Devin Singletary has to lighten the load on quarterback CJ Stroud so the Houston Texans can keep running in the Wild Card Round. The defense will depend on their decisive ground game to stop the Cleveland Browns’ dynamic passing attack and shield the rookie quarterback. The Browns’ pass rush is rather alarming compared to other NFL teams.
In Week 16, the Texans fell behind Cleveland due to Singletary’s lackluster performance (44 yards on nine attempts) and the team’s early decision not to run the ball with Stroud at quarterback.
Currently, C.J. Stroud ranks third in the NFL in passing yards per attempt with 8.2, and he has completed 63.9% of his passes for 4,108 yards (sixth in the NFL), 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 15 games played this season. With 167 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, Stroud ranks third on the Texans’ running backs.
Regardless, while the Browns were in the first quarter, Singletary had a 17-yard rush that would have been good for a score had the safety not tripped on a shoestring. His 4.9 yards per carry equaled his career average.
The 898 yards and four touchdowns carried by Devin Singletary this season average 52.8 per game and 4.2 per attempt. Without a touchdown to his name, Singletary’s throwing statistics read 30 receptions (1.8 catches per game) on 38 targets for 193 yards (11.4 catches per game).
Cleveland’s defense is severely lacking when it comes to stopping runs. While the Browns lead the league in run-stop win percentage, they are in 20th place on this advanced metric, and their EPA allowed per handoff is around average. This pattern started after Week 12. Also, the importance of injury reports for this crucial match comes into play.
Texans vs Browns Betting Pick
- Date: January 13, 2024
- Location: NRG Stadium
Bet on the Houston Texans at +2.5
This week, CJ Stroud will not be benched as he was on Christmas Eve when Joe Flacco and Amari Cooper pounded the Texans 36-22 in Houston. Though the Browns are more seasoned and the Texans are younger, Houston will use what it learned in their last game to secure a home victory in Saturday’s wildcard showdown.
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