Cleveland Browns vs Houston Texans Prediction, 12/24/2023 NFL Picks, Best Bets & Odds Week 16

Game: Cleveland Browns vs Houston Texans

Date: Sunday, December 24, 2023

Location: NRG Stadium in Houston, TX

TV: CBS

Odds/Point Spread: Texans (-3)

Total/Over-Under: 43

The Houston Texans (8-6) host the Cleveland Browns (9-5) at NRG Stadium on Sunday. Cleveland opens this contest as 3-point dogs. The betting total comes in at 43.

The Cleveland Browns head into this game 9-5 this season. When they last stepped on the football field, the Browns went up against the Bears and walked away with a win by a score of 20-17. Joe Flacco connected on 28/44 with 374 yards through the air and 2 touchdowns. He had a QB rating of 77.3 and walked away from the game with 3 picks. Amari Cooper averaged 27.3 yards per catch by accumulating 109 yards on 4 catches. Jerome Ford was the rushing leader for the Browns with 8 totes for 20 yds (2.5 yards per carry). In the game, they ran 67 plays which converted into 377 yds. The Cleveland Browns ended up rushing 18 times and totaled 29 yards, which earned them an average of 1.6 yds per carry. When it came to stopping the run, the Browns conceded 88 yds on 27 attempts, which is an average of 3.3 yards per run allowed. Cleveland relinquished 19 completions on 40 tries for 148 yds, and a completion rate of 47.5%.

Regarding getting in the endzone, the Cleveland Browns are averaging 22.1 points per outing. As a unit they're maintaining an average of 123.7 yards rushing ranking them 10th in the league. The Browns have earned 4,620 total yards for this campaign. Cleveland has recorded 137 first downs, and they have been flagged for 95 infractions for 781 yards. They have surrendered the football 30 different times (18 interceptions and 12 fumbles lost). In terms of scoring touchdowns, Cleveland has earned 16 touchdowns through the air and 12 touchdowns via the ground.

Regarding passing yards, the Browns have surrendered 2,224 yards which ranks them 1st in the NFL. They have relinquished 158.9 yards per game via the pass in addition to conceding a completion percentage of 55.2%. In total, they have surrendered 261.1 yards per outing which has them sitting 1st in football. The opposition is running for 4.1 yards per run and 102.2 yards on the ground per game this season. Overall, they have given up 1,431 rushing yards through 14 games. The Browns are ranked 12th in the league regarding team defense, allowing 20.6 PPG.

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The Texans step onto the field holding a record of 8-6 for this season. When they last took the field, the Texans got the victory with a final of 19-16 against the Titans. Devin Singletary carried the rock 26 times for 121 yards, finishing the contest with 4.7 yds per carry for Houston. Noah Brown was one of the featured targets for the Texans, bringing in 8 balls for 82 yds (10.3 yds per reception). Case Keenum (1 TD) walked away from the game with 229 yards on 23/36 through the air while his quarterback rating was 79.5. He had 1 pick and his average yards per pass attempt was 6.4 yards. Houston relinquished 30 attempts on the ground for 66 yards (2.2 yards per carry). The Texans pass defense conceded a completion percentage of 65.4%, surrendering 138 yds on 17 for 26 through the air. The Texans finished the game with 340 yards while they ran 72 plays (4.7 yds per play). Houston ran the football for 4.6 yds per carry, finishing the contest with 148 yds on 32 carries.

When looking at the points being put on the board, the Texans currently sit 15th in football averaging 21.9 PPG. During the season so far, the Texans have compiled 3,548 passing yards together with an average of 253.4 throwing yards per game, ranking them 5th in the NFL. They are averaging 100.3 yards per game on the ground and have rushed for 1,404 yards in total. The Houston Texans hold an average of 353.7 yards/outing which has them sitting 10th in the league. The Houston offense has totaled 786 yds of penalties on 92 infractions, which is good for 6th in football in terms of making mistakes. They have given away 6 interceptions while allowing opponents to recover 6 fumbles and they have been able to earn 180 1st downs.

They have allowed 14 touchdowns through the air and 239.1 yards/game, ranking them 24th in the NFL. Houston has yielded a total of 1,309 yards rushing (93.5 yards/game) in addition to 16 touchdowns via the rush this season. Overall, they have relinquished 295 points in total. Their defense has earned 20 takeaways (8 fumbles recovered and 12 interceptions) so far this season. The Texans defense has participated in 889 plays, which is 15th in football. The Texans are giving up 21.1 PPG, which puts them in 15th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Browns/Texans NFL game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Texans -3

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