The Cleveland Browns (+5) are heading southwest to face the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Kickoff for this showdown is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch it live by tuning in to CBS.
Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Texans Betting Preview
Cleveland is a live dog in this one and is currently getting 5 points. In order to take the home favorite, moneyline gamblers would currently have to put down $200 to win $100 back on the Texans (-200). The Browns are getting +170 moneyline odds. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 48 points. There should be multiple good in-game betting opportunities in this matchup.
The Browns are 7-4 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 0.8 units so far in 2018. The team’s posted an Over-Under mark of 6-5. The Texans are up 3.3 units this season. The team is 5-5-1 ATS and has an O/U record of 5-6.
The Browns are only 4-6-1 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Texans are 8-3 SU.
The Browns are trying to maintain momentum after a solid 35-20 victory over Cincinnati last week. The passing attack was on point as Baker Mayfield completed 19 passes on 26 attempts for 258 yards and four touchdowns. Nick Chubb (84 rushing yards on 28 attempts, one TD) led the ground attack. David Njoku (five receptions, 63 yards, one TD) and Antonio Callaway (four catches, 62 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Houston takes the field on Sunday after just earning a 34-17 win over Tennessee in Week 12. Deshaun Watson completed 19-of-24 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns. Alfred Blue (49 rushing yards on 13 attempts) and Lamar Miller (162 yards on 12 carries, one TD) handled the running game while DeAndre Hopkins (five receptions, 74 yards) and Demaryius Thomas (four catches, 38 yards, two TDs) led the receiving attack in the win.
Cleveland has run the ball on 43.9 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Houston has a rush percentage of 50.4 percent. The Browns have rushed for 129 yards per game and have 12 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Texans are totaling 137 rushing yards per game and have six total rush TDs.
The Browns offense has averaged 247 yards in the air overall and has 19 passing scores so far. The Texans have produced 255 pass yards per contest and have 20 total pass TDs.
Cleveland has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 132 yards and pass for 298 yards per game. The Houston defense has allowed 259.1 yards per game to opposing passers and 96.8 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Browns have given up an ANY/A of 5.86 to opposing QBs, while the Texans are yielding an ANY/A of 6.03.
Passing-wise, Mayfield has amassed 2,026 yards this season, and has completed 178-of-291 attempts with 14 scores through the air and seven interceptions. He’s got a 5.87 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 13.35 over the last two games.
The Browns have tried to control the clock by pounding the defense with their running backs. Along with Antonio Callaway (349 yards, three TDs), Nick Chubb (487 rush yards, five rush TDs, 59 receiving yards, one receiving TD) and Duke Johnson Jr. (131 rush yards, 304 receiving yards, two receiving TDs) have been big focal points in the offensive scheme for Cleveland.
Deshaun Watson has completed 204-of-309 passes for 2,599 yards, 19 TDs and seven INTs for Houston. His ANY/A sits at 7.25 for the season and 6.04 over his past two games.
The Texans should also look to control the clock by turning to their backfield. Along with DeAndre Hopkins (968 receiving yards, seven receiving TDs), Lamar Miller (687 rush yards, three rush TDs, one receiving TD) and Alfred Blue (346 rush yards, one rush TD) have seen a multitude of touches recently.
When these two squads met last year, Houston got the victory 33-17.
RELATED: Week 13 NFL Betting Odds and Predictions
NFL Prediction: Browns vs. Texans
SU Winner – Browns, ATS Winner – Browns, O/U – Over
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Over/Under for Cleveland’s last game was set at 47. The over cashed in the team’s 35-20 triumph over Cincinnati.
Cleveland has averaged 4.5 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.6 over its last two.
Houston has averaged 5.3 yards per carry over its last three matchups and 6.5 over its past two.
The Houston offense has lost five fumbles this season while Cleveland has lost three.
Over its last three games, Cleveland is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for Houston’s last match was set at 42.5. The over cashed in that 34-17 win over Tennessee.
Over its last three contests, Houston is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Browns offense has tallied three pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Texans have accounted for four such plays.
The Cleveland defense has allowed seven pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Houston has given up nine such plays.
The Cleveland offense has created 13 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Houston has created six such runs.
The Browns defense has allowed 10 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Texans have given up three such runs.
The Houston D has notched 34 sacks on the year while Cleveland has just 25.
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