Teams with limited NFL playoff history will kick off the 2024 NFL Super Wild Card Weekend schedule when the Houston Texans (10-7) host the Cleveland Browns (11-6) on Saturday . The No. 4 seed Texans won the AFC South this season and their appearance in the 2024 NFL playoff bracket is the first trip to the playoffs since 2019. The Browns overcame key injuries at quarterback -back Deshaun Watson (shoulder) and running back Nick. Chubb (ACL) will earn the No. 5 seed and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Neither franchise has ever been to the Super Bowl.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET from US NRG Stadium in Houston. Cleveland is favored by 2.5 points in the latest Browns vs. Texans odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under is 44. Before you lock in any Texans vs. Browns picks, you’ll want to see the NFL playoff predictions from the model. on SportsLine.
The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, costs well over $7,000 for $100 players among the NFL’s highest-rated picks since its inception. The model enters the 2024 NFL playoffs with an incredible 183-129 streak on top-rated NFL picks dating back to the 2017 season. He is also on a 37-21 record among top-rated picks rated since Week 7 of last season and has landed seven straight top-rated picks heading into the 2024 NFL playoffs.
The model has also ranked in the top 10 on NFLPickWatch four of the last six years on straight NFL picks and has beaten more than 94% of CBS Sports Football Pick’em players four times during that span. Anyone who followed him is at the top.
Now the model has set its sights on the Browns versus the Texans. You can head to SportsLine to see his picks. Here are several NFL betting lines for the Texans vs. Browns:
- Browns vs. Texans spread: Browns -2.5
- Browns vs. Texans plus/minus: 44 points
- Money line Browns vs. Texans: Browns -141, Texans +119
- KEY: The Browns are 10-6 ATS this season
- HOU: Texans are 9-7 ATS this season
- Browns vs. Texans Picks: See the picks here
- Browns vs. Texans live stream: fubo (try free)
Why the Browns can cover
Cleveland convincingly beat the Texans 36-22 in Week 16. Quarterback Joe Flacco threw for 368 yards, 265 of which went to receiver Amari Cooper, as Houston had few answers on offense through pass from Cleveland. The Browns easily handled the 3-point spread on the road in this game and they face a similar number on Saturday. Overall, Cleveland won and covered four of its final five games of the regular season, with only Week 18 being the exception as starters rested.
Flacco brings immense playoff experience to this game and he can set the all-time NFL playoff wins record by a starting quarterback at eight. Cleveland, however, is best known for its defense this season, and the Browns have only given up 5.9 yards per pass attempt this season, meaning they should be able to limit Cleveland’s passing attack. Houston high-flyer. Find out which team to choose here.
Why the Texans can cover
Star rookie quarterback CJ Stroud did not play in the Week 16 loss to Cleveland, so Houston will be in a better position to compete in this first game of the playoffs. Stroud, a strong contender for NFL Rookie of the Year, has breathed new life into Houston’s offense this year by totaling 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Nico Collins (80-1297-8) became a No. 1 target and receiver Tank Dell and tight end Dalton Schultz also both cleared 600 receiving yards.
Houston was 6-4 ATS this season as an underdog. The Texans also won and covered in their final two regular season games to close the gap on the Jacksonville Jaguars and capture the AFC South crown in Week 18. Find out which team to pick here.
How to make Browns vs. Texans picks
The model has simulated the Texans vs. Browns 10,000 times and the results are in. The model is leaning and it also indicates that one side of the gap hits well over 50% of the time. You can only see the pick on SportsLine.
So who wins the Texans over the Browns in the 2024 NFL playoffs, and which side of the spread reaches well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the Texans vs. Browns spread you should jump to on Saturday, all from the model on a 183-129 result on NFL picks, and find out.
