The Houston Texans were expected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL this season with a rookie QB, a young roster, and a first time head coach, but here they are as the AFC South Champions with a home playoff game. Expectations also tapered for Cleveland this year when they couldn’t find stability at QB, but a reenergized Joe Flacco, a great defense, and the projected Coach of the Year have the Browns ready for what they hope is a deep playoff run.
Before Betting on Wild Card Cleveland Browns vs Houston Texans
Both Flacco and Houston QB C.J. Stroud are great stories but for different reasons. The 38-year-old went 4-1 since the Browns “brought him off the couch” as Cleveland has started five different players at the QB position this year. Stroud is in just his first season, but seems to have all the savvy of a veteran after throwing for 4,108 yards with 23 TDs and 5 INTs in 15 games.
Kevin Stefanski seems like a lock to win his second Coach of the Year award since 2020, leading Cleveland to an 11-6 record despite having Deshaun Watson for just six games. The team cycled through the likes of P.J. Walker and Dorian Thompson-Robinson before Flacco arrived to save the day. Flacco and WR Amari Cooper had an especially strong connection as evidenced by Cooper’s 11 catch, 265 yard performance on Christmas Eve in a 36-22 win at these Texans.
The Browns need to find a way to stop Cooper in the rematch, but they also didn’t have Stroud (concussion) in that matchup. Davis Mills and Case Keenum combined to go 26/49 with 2/2, but this Texans offense runs a whole lot smoother with their franchise QB under center.
Cleveland vs Houston Offshore Betting Odds
| Offshore Sportsbook | Moneyline | Total | Point Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetOnline | Browns (1.76) | Texans (2.11) | 44.5 | Browns -2 (1.87) | Texans +2 (1.95) |
| MyBookie | Browns (1.74) | Texans (2.15) | 44.5 | Browns -2 (1.91) | Texans +2 (1.91) |
| BetUS | Browns (1.74) | Texans (2.14) | 44.5 | Browns -2 (1.90) | Texans +2 (1.90) |
| SportsBetting.ag | Browns (1.76) | Texans (2.11) | 44.5 | Browns -2 (1.87) | Texans +2 (1.95) |
| XBet | Browns (1.74) | Texans (2.15) | 44.5 | Browns -2 (1.91) | Texans +2 (1.91) |
2024 Wild Card Browns vs Houston Prediction & Pick
It should be quite the atmosphere in Houston as fans really weren’t expecting a playoff berth for another year or two, and the Texans were a solid 6-3 at home this season. That being said, not a whole lot gets to the even-keeled Flacco, and Cleveland has something else that travels well – the #1 defense in the NFL.
