The Cleveland Browns travel to Houston to face the Houston Texans on Saturday, January 13, at 3:30 P.M. Central Time at NRG Stadium for the Super Wild Card Round.
Cleveland is favored by 2.5 points, and the over/under is set at 44.
The Super Wild Card is a rematch from the regular season
Cleveland defeated Houston 36-22 in Week 16.
Joe Flacco completed 27 out of 42 passes for 368 yards and threw three passing touchdowns and two interceptions. Amari Cooper had 11 receptions for 265 yards and two touchdowns.
C.J. Stroud was out because of a concussion. Case Keenum started and completed 11 out of 17 passes for 62 yards and two interceptions. Davis Mills replaced Keenum in the fourth quarter and completed 15 out of 32 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns.
The Cleveland Browns never gave up this season
Despite being plagued by injuries, Cleveland never gave up.
Joe Flacco started his 16th season on the couch. After the season-ending injury to Deshaun Watson and the struggles of P.J. Walker and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Cleveland signed Flacco to the practice squad on November 20. Flacco made his season debut in Week 13.
Flacco started five out of their last six games. He completed 123 out of 204 passes for 1,616 yards, threw 13 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, and went 4-1.
Amari Cooper and David Njoku, both Pro Bowl players, have been Flacco’s top targets. Cooper has 72 receptions for 1,250 yards and five receiving touchdowns. Njoku has 81 receptions for 882 yards and six receiving touchdowns.
Jerome Ford has been a solid replacement for Chubb. Ford has 813 yards on 204 carries and four rushing touchdowns. He also has 44 receptions for 319 yards and five receiving touchdowns.
Cleveland’s defense has been dominant. They are ranked 13th in points, 1st in yards, 5th in takeaways, 1st in first downs, 1st in passing yards, 11th in rushing yards, and 6th in sacks.
Myles Garrett is the leader of the elite Browns defense and is a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. Garrett has 42 tackles, 17 for a loss, 30 quarterback hits, and 14 sacks.
Denzel Ward is the leader of the secondary. Ward has 34 tackles, two interceptions, and 11 pass deflections. He went 32/66 for 338 yards, one touchdown, and a 56.2 passer rating allowed in coverage.
The Houston Texans exceeded expectations
C.J. Stroud is having a great rookie season and is a candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Stroud completed 319 out of 499 passes for 4,108 yards, 23 passing touchdowns, and five interceptions, and went 9-6.
Nico Collins is Houston’s leading receiver. Collins has 80 receptions for 1,297 yards and eight receiving touchdowns.
Devin Singletary has been a reliable running back for the offense. Singletary has 898 yards on 216 carries and four rushing touchdowns.
Houston’s defense has improved from last season. They are ranked 11th in points, 14th in yards, 16th in takeaways, 19th in first downs, 23rd in passing yards, 6th in rushing yards, and 14th in sacks.
Jonathan Greenard is their leading pass rusher. Greenard has 52 tackles, 15 for a loss, 22 quarterback hits, and 12.5 sacks.
Derek Stingley Jr. has been their best defensive back. Stingley Jr. has 39 tackles, five interceptions, and 13 pass deflections. He went 23/48 for 288 yards, two touchdowns, and a 41.3 passer rating allowed in coverage.
INJURY REPORT
Here is the final injury report for the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans.
Keys to Victory-Cleveland
The first key to victory is to limit turnovers. Cleveland leads the league in turnovers with 37. Flacco needs to play a complete game and cannot afford to turn the ball over.
The second key to victory is stopping C.J. Stroud. Cleveland’s pass rush needs to disrupt Stroud in the passing game.
Keys to Victory-Houston
The first key to victory is C.J. Stroud. The offensive line needs to do whatever it takes to protect Stroud. They should be fine if Stroud has a clean pocket.
The second key to victory is to force turnovers. Cleveland leads the league in turnovers. Houston needs to win the turnover battle.
Prediction:
The Cleveland Browns defeat the Houston Texans 20-17.
I predict that both quarterbacks will struggle, resulting in a close game.
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