Cleveland Browns (9-5) vs. Houston Texans (8-6)
Browns vs. Texans December 24, 2023 – In a captivating Week 16 NFL matchup, the Cleveland Browns with a solid 9-5 record, travel to face the Houston Texans, closely trailing at 8-6. This game, scheduled for Sunday at NRG Stadium, holds significant playoff implications. Set to kick off at 1:00 PM ET and broadcasted on CBS, this clash is a prime focus for NFL winning free picks, with both teams vying for a crucial victory in the season’s final stages.
Browns vs. Texans December 24, 2023 Game Info
| When: | Sunday, December 24, 2023, at 1:00 PM ET |
| Where: | NRG Stadium |
| TV: | CBS |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
Deshaun Watson QB vs. C.J. Stroud QB
Deshaun Watson has put together a solid season in his limited action after returning from suspension. In just 6 games, he has 1,115 passing yards while completing 61.4% of his attempts. Watson is averaging a respectable 6.5 yards per pass attempt and 185.8 passing yards per contest. He has thrown for 7 touchdowns with 4 interceptions while being sacked 17 times. Watson’s mobility helps extend plays but he has struggled with turnovers recently, including a 3 interception outing two weeks ago. He seems to still be shaking off some rust after the long layoff.
C.J. Stroud has been excellent in his first season under center for Houston. He has already thrown for 3,631 yards with an impressive 20-5 touchdown to interception ratio. Stroud is averaging 279.3 passing yards while completing 62.4% of his throws. He has posted an outstanding 98.7 quarterback rating as well. Stroud has shown poise in the pocket and has an advanced ability to go through progressions for a first year signal caller. He also has underrated mobility, using his legs to buy time or pick up first downs when needed.
Browns’ Offensive Strategy
The Browns’ offense is multidimensional, led by running back Jerome Ford and receiver Amari Cooper. Ford has amassed 718 rushing yards and three touchdowns over 14 games while Cooper boasts 985 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 61 receptions for reliable aerial threat play – performances essential to Cleveland’s offensive balance.
Texans’ Key Offensive Players
Houston Texans’ offense relies on two dynamic duos to provide consistency: running back Devin Singletary has amassed 711 rushing yards over 14 games while wide receiver Nico Collins, with 1004 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns on 60 receptions, serves as Stroud’s main target. Their combined efforts make Houston’s offensive attack formidable.
NFL Betting Odds: Houston Texans -140, Over/Under: 43
The betting odds slightly favor the Texans with a moneyline of -140 and an over/under of 43. This margin reflects the close matchup between these two teams, with the Texans having a slight edge, especially playing at home.
Cleveland Browns Betting Trends
Cleveland are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games.
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Cleveland’s last 9 games.
Cleveland are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games.
Cleveland are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games against Houston.
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Cleveland’s last 7 games on the road.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland’s last 7 games when playing on the road against Houston.
Houston Texans Betting Trends
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston’s last 5 games.
Houston are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Houston’s last 12 games against Cleveland.
Total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston’s last 6 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston’s last 7 games when playing at home against Cleveland.
Houston are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games against an opponent in the American Football Conference conference.
Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Texans Betting Picks
The matchup is tight, but the Texans’ home advantage and Stroud’s impressive passing game give them a slight edge. The Browns’ potential to overcome the spread should not be underestimated, considering their recent form.
On online betting websites, betting on the Texans to win seems a prudent choice, but the Browns could potentially cover the spread. The over/under is a tricky bet, given both teams’ recent trends, but leaning towards the UNDER might be wise, considering the defensive strengths of both teams.
Score Prediction: Texans 22, Browns 19
