Browns vs. Texans Prediction & Odds
The Cleveland Browns head to Houston to face the Texans on Sunday afternoon when Week 13’s afternoon slate begins at 1:00 PM ET. Can the Texans cover the 7-point spread as home underdogs?
The Cleveland Browns are 4-7 through their first 11 games of 2022. Their best wins came against the Bengals and the Buccaneers. Their worst losses came against the Falcons and the Chargers. The Browns are 5-6 ATS this season.
The Houston Texans are 1-9-1 on the year. They tied the Colts in Week 1 and their only win came against the Jaguars. The Texans’ worst losses came against the Broncos and the Bears. The Texans are 4-6-1 ATS this season.
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
463 Cleveland Browns (-7) at 464 Houston Texans (+7); O/U 46.5
1:00 PM ET, Sunday, December 4, 2022
NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
Browns vs. Texans Public Betting Information
Our NFL Public Betting Information page indicates that the public favors the Browns in this game. According to our numbers, 70% of public bets are on Cleveland -7. Please note that this information is subject to change all the way up to kickoff, so be sure to check the link before you pick so you’re receiving the most accurate and up-to-date public betting data.
Cleveland Browns DFS Spin
The biggest story of this game is the return of Cleveland’s suspended quarterback Deshaun Watson. When healthy and eligible to play, Watson is one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. His 2020 numbers were terrific, as he threw for 4,823 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions for the Texans. He should provide Cleveland pass catchers like Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and David Njoku with a significant bump in value against a Houston defense that’s allowing 7.1 yards per pass attempt, which ranks 26th in the league.
Houston’s run defense isn’t very good either, as they rank 28th in the NFL in opponent rushing yards per attempt. This makes Browns star running back Nick Chubb an attractive DFS play. Chubb is one of only three backs in the NFL to have run for 1,000 yards this season, and he’s second in the league in rushing touchdowns with 12. Chubb is averaging 18.2 carries per game and 5.2 yards per carry so his efficiency will likely be worth the price in DFS.
Houston Texans DFS Spin
The Texans gave backup QB Kyle Allen the start against Miami last week and he threw for 215 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions in Houston’s 30-15 road loss. Allen found tight end Jordan Akins a number of times Saturday. Akins recorded 5 catches for 61 yards and a touchdown in his best game of the season. Akins might have more of a connection with Allen than he did with previous quarterback Davis Mills, so the Houston tight end might be a nice sleeper play in DFS.
Houston running back Dameon Pierce had another dud of a performance Sunday, running for only 8 yards on 5 carries. I think he’ll produce a much better stat line against a Browns defense that ranks 26th in the NFL in opponent yards per rushing attempt. Pierce could be a nice DFS contrarian play this weekend.
Browns vs. Texans Betting Trends
Cleveland is 17-35-2 ATS in their last 54 games following an ATS win.
Cleveland is 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games against Houston.
Cleveland is 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games against the AFC.
Houston is 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 games after gaining fewer than 90 rushing yards in their previous game.
Browns vs. Texans Prediction:
Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson will get his first regular-season start in nearly two full years against his former team on Sunday. He will likely get a less-than-warm reception as he demanded a trade from Houston and was then suspended for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Watson looked shaky in the preseason and he hasn’t played any meaningful football in 23 months. There’s going to be some rust there I think. Watson may struggle to elevate a Cleveland offense that is 15th in yards per play, and 20th in yards per point. I think Deshaun Watson will eventually be successful in Cleveland but I don’t know if it will happen this season, and I doubt it will happen in this game. I’ll fade the public and take the home team and the points.
NFL WEEK 13 PREDICTION: HOUSTON TEXANS +7