Browns vs. Texans Total Prediction
Can the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns both continue their recent offensive success when the two AFC opponents face off on Sunday at 1PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
359 Cleveland Browns at 360 Houston Texans
Sunday, December 2, 2018
1PM ET – NRG Stadium
TV: CBS
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Texans are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -5.5 points against the Browns. The over/under total for the contest is currently listed at 47 points. The public betting for this game currently has 61 percent going on the Texans at home.
Browns on a win streak
The Cleveland Browns have won back-to-back games entering this week, defeating the Falcons 28-16 and then beating the Bengals last week, 35-20. Cleveland is now 4-6-1 overall, 7-4 against the spread and 6-5 with the over. The Browns have hit the over in three of their last four games.
Cleveland has struggled on defense most of the season, allowing 25.7 points and 415.4 yards per game. Their total defense average ranks second to last in the NFL. Offensively, Cleveland is putting up 23 points and 354.2 yards per game. The Browns have a pair of rookies leading the way as Baker Mayfield has thrown for 2,242 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions while Nick Chubb has come on in the second half of the season and has rushed for 663 yards and six touchdowns. Jarvis Landry is the leading receiver with 60 catches for 630 yards and two scores.
Texans stay hot
The Houston Texans won their eighth straight games last week in a 34-17 win at home over the Tennessee Titans. They are now 8-3 on the season, 5-6 against the spread and 6-5 with the under. Houston has hit the over in two straight and three of four.
The Texans are strong defensively, allowing just 20.2 points and 333.6 yards per game their season. The unit has 34 sacks while creating 18 turnovers. J.J. Watt leads the charge with 11.5 sacks. He is battling a knee injury that has him listed as questionable for Sunday. Offensively, Houston is putting up 24.8 points and 373.1 yards per game. Their rushing attack (134.5 ypg) ranks fourth in the NFL. Lamar Miller has run for 773 yards and three scores while Deshaun Watson has 345 yards and two scores. Watson has thrown for 2,807 yards and 20 touchdowns, but has nine interceptions and has been sacked 37 times. DeAndre Hopkins has proven to be one of the top receivers in the NFL, catching 73 passes for 1,024 yards and eight touchdowns.
NFL Betting Trends
Cleveland
The Browns have hit the over in four straight conference games and in 14 of their last 20 on the road.
Houston
The Texans have hit the under in 10 of their last 14 conference games and in 21 of their last 29 in December.
Prediction:
The Texans are on a roll and I would expect their offense to continue to shine against this Browns defense, especially with the game in Houston. Look for the Texans to push for 30 or more points on Sunday. Cleveland may have some struggles on offense early, but once Houston goes into prevent mode, I would expect Mayfield and company to make a late charge to allow the over to hit.
NFL Prediction: Browns/Texans Over 47