The postseason starts on Saturday in the National Football League when the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans get together. Cleveland is the 5th seed, and the top wildcard in the AFC after their 11-6 second. That placed them second in the AFC North. The Browns rested starters, and fell to the Bengals in Week 18.
For Houston, they needed a thrilling win on the road at the Colts on Saturday to wrap up their postseason spot. The Texans won the AFC South with their 10-7 record. These two teams played on Christmas Eve, with the Browns smoking the Texans 36-22.
The Cleveland Browns are -2.5 on the road in this game. The total for this affair is set at 43.5.
Flacco Leads Browns Charge
The Cleveland Browns used five quarterbacks this season. Joe Flacco was the man to lead them to the postseason. In five games, he threw 13 touchdowns for the Browns. The rest of the four signal callers Cleveland threw out there had 11 touchdowns in the other 12 games. They also had 15 interceptions.
It has been an outstanding season for Amari Cooper. The receiver leads the team with more than 1,200 yards, along with 5 touchdowns. David Njoku has also been sensational, with six touchdown receptions. Jerome Ford has also caught five touchdowns as well.
Ford is the top rushing threat for the Browns. He took over for Nick Chubb, who was hurt after 28 carries. Ford comes into the postseason with 813 yards and four rushing touchdowns. Kareem Hunt has been the man to get into the endzone on the ground for Cleveland. He has 9 of the Browns 15 rushing touchdowns this season.
Texans at Home for Postseason
After a win in Indianapolis, the Texans get a home game for this matchup. Houston is 2-1 in theri last 3 home games, with the lone loss to Cleveland. Just like Flacco is the news for Cleveland, CJ Stroud is the word for Houston. The rookie out of Ohio State has over 4,100 passing yards and 23 touchdowns.
Without his top target for much of the season; Tank Dell, Stroud has found Nico Collins early and often. Collins has 1,297 yards receiving this season, and 8 touchdowns. Dell had 7 touchdowns in 11 games. Tight end Dalton Schultz is third on the team with five touchdown receptions.
The run game has been captured by Devin Singletary. The running back took over for Dameon Pierce, and has never given the role back. Singletary has 898 yards rushing and four touchdowns on the season. The Texans had 10 rushing touchdowns all season; with three from Stroud.
Texans Win at Home
The Houston Texans get the advantage of being at home in this game. The difference between this game and the last time they got together in Week 16 is CJ Stroud. The young signal caller is going to be the reason the Texans win this game. Also, Houston was able to watch some film from the first game and slow down veteran quarterback Joe Flacco.
The Houston Texans are going to win this game at home, and move to the next round of the postseason. When we bet this game, our final betting pick is the Houston Texans +2.5 over the Cleveland Browns.
