Browns Wildcard -2.5

This is a great matchup for Browns

We already have around 60%+ of bets on Texans depending on the site

Yes Cleveland has been banged up but this is a great matchup for them.

Cleveland gave some starters a rest and heal last week so this is kind of like coming off a bye for part of the team

Here's why Browns win - Stroud has had a fantastic season, amazing for a rookie, however - Stroud facing zone coverage has been a top 3 QB and destroyed these defenses. Stroud against man coverage has been a bottom 8 QB! I don't think another QB has a split like this.

Guess who plays man coverage the most in the league, yes Cleveland. Teams know this about Stroud but the majority can't just change scheme quickly and be effective, Cleveland doesn't need to change anything, he will really struggle here as he has done all season against man coverage.

Some other angles - Historically teams that had a poor record the year before they make the playoffs next season don't do well ATS. It is usually a let down spot for rookies first playoff start but we also have the let down spot of a rookie head coach at the playoffs here.

Ignore the big words poor mobile typing 

Good read 

Agreed. Cleveland has the edge in everything. I like the defense vs houston w a rookie qb, old man flacco w playoff experience and a great passing attack w cooper and njoku. What has changed since they boatraced houston a couple weeks ago? I expect more of the same. Hit it at the 2.5, wont be surprised if it gets to 3.5

What changed ? Will Anderson, CJ Stroud and several others. Texans Str8 up !

@Wizerguy

 I agree with you. Flacco run will come to an end. 

i like the browns too. Im taking them to win the super bowl, now at 30:1

good luck!

@Bet_The_House

 The only part I disagree with is where you said that 60% of the bets are on Houston. Where are you seeing that?

definitely not 60 percent of bets on houston so far. it wont even be 40 percent by game time

QBs making their first playoff start vs QBs who have playoff experience are 17-35-1 ATS (32.7%) and 17-36 SU since 2002.

go brownies 

Colts D is soft compared to the Browns and see above. OP knows his shiite

Good luck BTH.  

I usually like the team that has revenge in the playoffs. But the way they won the South by default with the Colts and Jags choking, having to fight so hard and get lucky as hell, while the Browns got to rest, it's gonna be tough.

It all depends on if Cleveland can get takeaways. They're pretty good at it, Houston is good at avoiding it. But Cleveland defense is much stiffer than the Colts.

If Houston wins I think they need luck again. Which could happen. But I really like Cleveland. Top defense vs rookie QB, always a play in my book, even one as poised as Stroud has been.

And the Browns didn't just beat the Texans without Stroud, they swept the entire AFC South. Joe Flacco isn't facing Watt and Mercilus like the old Texans D.

I think it's gonna be really low scoring. Cleveland has been getting out to early leads with Flacco in charge lately and that will be key for them to avoid having to try and come back from down a score or 2 when the offense is based on the run, get the lead and make the other team try and catch up - vs the team that is allowing 2nd lowest opp passer rating, top 3 in takeaways and has Myles Garrett marauding in your backfield. Houston almost lost to a team that didn't convert a single 3rd down until i think it was the last drive of the game.

I see a lot of people hanging their hat on the browns defense ... Hmm...  Browns have had all year one of the worst defenses in the NFL on the road.. But now "poof" they get better for this roadie...  hmm..  Giving up over 30 per on the road..  "poof" no issue..  Those pesky INT's gunslinger Joe has thrown all year... "poof" turnovers no big issue in the playoffs..  The Browns will be the Browns and come next week "poof"  ... No Browns...  IMO Houston +3 best bet on the board..  Now here is hoping my money does not go "poof".. ....  Doubt it they are after all the Browns..

The Texans are not that good though 

The simple regression factor has Flacco returning to old form and tossing a couple of Pic's,  At home I am leaning to the Texans who are loose and motivated and the juice of the home crowd should propel them to a W......

stop looking at that info.  it's meaningless and flawed.  i cant stress that enough.

Cleveland is the play.  They have the better offense here with a very experienced QB.  Better WR, RB and pretty much equal at TE.  
Defensively I think it's a wash.  Cleveland should be better but they have found themselves giving up tons of yards/points, especially on the road.

Losing Tank Dell has hurt the Texans a lot on offense.  Collins is good.  Maybe they get Brown back.  Woods is older and a non-factor.  The run game with Singletary is OK but not great.

Experience usually means a lot in the playoffs.  Rookie QBs generally do not to well.

Texans with Stroud, not sure if it is as good as everyone make Brownies out to be, Flacco do throw up a few INT every game! 

It will be interesting. GL with your pick

Joe cool all day against the rookie but give him props he ain’t playin like a rookie .. Cleveland will win this game 

Thats why they play the games. Will know a lot more tomorrow about 7 Pm cst.

@Yanasaur

 Hmmm let’s start with CJ a healthy nicco Will Anderson Greenard Stevie Nelson Jimmy Ward 

lets add Denzel banged up & no Hopkins (do they have a backup kicker?) 

Be careful

They're still the Cleveland Browns

@Htowngoat

 They picked up Patterson who's is a pretty solid kicker so I think they are fine in that aspect. With that said I don't think they will be attempting any 50+ unless it's to win the game