- Houston (10-7) is a 3-point home underdog to the Browns (11-6) on Super Wild Card Weekend
- C.J. Stroud is favored for Offensive Rookie of the Year after passing for 4,108 yards, 23 TDs and 5 INTs
- The first NFL playoff game of the year kicks off from NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on Saturday at 4:30pm ET
C.J. Stroud and the Texans will host Joe Flacco and the Browns in the opening matchup of Super Wild Card Weekend. Houston defeated the Colts 23-19 on Saturday night and clinched the AFC South title for the first time since 2019 thanks to the Jaguars loss on Sunday. Meanwhile, Cleveland is making its first playoff appearance since 2020.
Before we check the odds on this AFC Wild Card matchup and make our picks, here’s where you can find the best tips for betting on the 2024 NFL playoffs and the top betting sites for NFL football.
Texans vs Browns
Stroud’s incredible rookie year
C.J. Stroud passed for 264 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions in a do-or-die, playoff-clinching victory over the division-rival Colts on Saturday night. The 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite is the first freshman player to lead his team into the playoffs since Andrew Luck, finishing the season with 4,108 passing yards, 23 TDs and just five picks.
Interestingly enough, the Texans’ high-profile divorce from Deshaun Watson led them to draft Stroud at no. 2 overall. Watson will now be watching from a press box as journeyman Joe Flacco leads his Browns into Houston.
CJ Stroud is 7-3 against teams with a winning record pic.twitter.com/23dl0melaD
— Clutch City Entertainment (@ClutchCityENTX) January 8, 2024
Joe Flacco’s miracle comeback
Joe Flacco has led the Browns to a 4-1 record since taking over, reeling off four consecutive starts with at least 300 passing yards and two passing TDs. Tight end David Njoku has been the main beneficiary of the 38-year-old veteran’s arrival, making 28 receptions for 373 yards and four scores in his last four games.
With three full weeks of rest, Amari Cooper should be fully recovered from his heel injury. He had a career day the last time he suited up, roasting this same Texans secondary for 265 yards and 2 TDs.
Houston vs Cleveland
Cleveland is a 3-point road favorite at NRG Stadium on Saturday, with the over/under set at 44 points. Flacco threw for 368 yards with three TDs and two INTs in a 36-22 blowout of Houston on Christmas Eve. However, Stroud missed that game while in concussion protocol.
The Browns defense has allowed the fewest passing yards per game (164.7) in the NFL. With Texans rookie Tank Dell lost for the season, expect Jim Schwartz to try and take Nico Collins out of the game after the third-year receiver exploded for 195 yards and a TD against Indianapolis.
Joe Flacco 😂 pic.twitter.com/Vknai8pzS2
— PFF (@PFF) January 3, 2024
Coach of the Year showdown?
While sportswriters will cast their votes before this Wild Card game gets underway, it features two of the leading contenders for the 2023 NFL Coach of the Year award. Previous winner Kevin Stefanski led Cleveland to the playoffs despite having to play four different QBs. And DeMeco Ryans helped Houston improve from 3-13-1 last year to 10-7 division champs. Our money is on the Texans head coach.
Best Bet
C.J. Stroud has exhibited “clutch” traits in big games in both college and professional football. However, while he faces the NFL’s toughest pass defense, Joe Flacco will be up against a bottom-ten unit.
We’ll take the Browns to cover (-3.0) with the OVER 44 points.
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