Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans odds and lines, with expert NFL picks, predictions and best bets.

The Cleveland Browns (4-7) travel to meet the Houston Texans (1-9-1) for a Week 13 matchup Sunday at NRG Stadium in Houston. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET (CBS). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Browns vs. Texans odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.

The Browns welcome QB Deshaun Watson back from an 11-game suspension, and he will make his regular-season team debut against his former team.

Check out the prop bets for Watson’s return

Cleveland is coming off a solid 23-17 overtime win as 3.5-point underdogs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Browns are 3-2 ATS in the last 5 games overall, but are 1-4 SU and 2-3 ATS in their last 5 road games, including a neutral-site battle with the Buffalo Bills in Detroit on Nov. 20.

Houston won on the road in Jacksonville Oct. 9, but it has dropped its last 6 games, while going 1-5 ATS. The Texans are also 0-4-1 SU in 5 games at home, while 2-3 ATS with the Under hitting in 3 of the 5 outings.

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Browns at Texans odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 9:48 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Browns -370 (bet $370 to win $100) | Texans +305 (bet $100 to win $305)
  • Against the spread: Browns -7.5 (-111) | Texans +7.5 (-109)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 46.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)

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Browns at Texans key injuries

Browns

  • No notable injuries

Texans

  • RB Rex Burkhead (concussion) questionable
  • WR Brandin Cooks (not injury related) out
  • CB Derek Stingley Jr. (hamstring) out

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Browns at Texans picks and predictions

Prediction

Texans 23, Browns 20

Moneyline

The TEXANS (+305) are worth a look for a chance to triple up at home against its former embattled quarterback.

The Browns (-370) get Watson back, and a lot of people think Cleveland will instantly be better, but this is a QB who hasn’t played a meaningful game in 2 years. There is certain to be rust, and QB Kyle Allen and the Texans offense could be fairly effective with rookie RB Dameon Pierce.

It would help if Cooks were in the lineup, as that stings, but WR Nico Collins looked like a legit No. 1 wideout last week, and he and Allen had a nice rapport.

The Browns are a strong running team, and the Texans rank last in the NFL with 168.6 rushing yards per game allowed. As long as Houston can offer a little bit of resistance, forcing Cleveland to the air, the upset chance is good.

Against the spread

Take the TEXANS +7.5 (-109), as the Browns -7.5 (-111) have shown they have no business laying a touchdown to anybody, especially on the road. This is a team which is 3-5 ATS in the last 8 games, and it lost outright as a 6.5-point favorite in Week 2 at home against the New York Jets.

Over/Under

UNDER 46.5 (-108) is the lean in this AFC battle.

While the Browns might want to pass a little more, trying to knock the rust off of its “new” quarterback, the team’s strong point is its run game. Run games are always good for the Under.

The Texans have cashed the Under in 4 of the last 5 games overall, while going 5-1 in the last 6 following a straight-up loss. And, the Under is 8-3 in the past 11 meetings with the Browns, for what that’s worth.

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