The Browns and Texans will commence Wild Card Weekend and there are an entertaining slate of games in these 3 days. These two teams played on Christmas Eve a couple of weeks ago and it was a Browns blowout but in that game, the Texans were without their rookie phenom C.J. Stroud. The Texans clinched the division last week by beating the Colts and Jaguars losing so they get the advantage of playing at home. It should be a good one between the 11-6 Cleveland Browns and the 10-7 Houston Texans.
The Browns may be the 5 seed but I don’t think anyone wants to play Kevin Stefanski’s team. They have one of the best defenses and Joe Flacco has built a really strong offense. He’s averaging 323.2 passing yards a game which is fantastic for his favorite targets Njoku and Cooper. The Browns are more pass-heavy with Flacco than with Watson and we’re seeing these big games from Cleveland’s receivers. The only downfall with Flacco is that he throws a lot of picks. In his 5 games, he’s thrown 8 interceptions which is way too many. The Texans don’t turn the ball over often so Flacco has to limit his picks. Amari Cooper had a field day the last time these two teams played so I’m sure the 38 year old Flacco will be looking for Cooper once again. On the defensive side, The Browns face the stellar C.J. Stroud and I believe that if they can pressure Stroud, it’ll create mistakes. Stroud always looks composed but it’s his 1st NFL playoff game and that’ll bring some nerves. Jim Schwartz’s defense is best in pass yards average and total defense average so they should have to problem throwing Stroud off his game (FOX SPORTS Defense Rankings). Additionally, the secondary has to quiet Nico COllins because against the Colts, he went off. Outside of Collins, the Texans don’t really have anyone and it’ll slow Houston’s offense. I love the Browns chances in this game but they have to keep Stroud contained.
It was a clutch performance by Houston in Week 18 and they’ll need to play well against a tough Browns team. The Texans played turnover free football once again and that is a recipe for success. C.J. Stroud was excellent and he played a clutch game. Stroud and Collins had a huge night and I feel that they’ll have to come up big again. In their last meeting against Cleveland, the Texans defense struggled and they have to be much better in this contest. With the Browns defense being so good, Houston’s defense has to step up and stop Flacco’s offense. For the offense, it’s a big test for the offensive line going up against that tough pass rush. They have to be able to give Stroud time and let him find a pass. Myles Garrett’s crew could take control of the game and Houston cannot let them do that. They might’ve lost the last game 36-22 against these Browns but I think they’ll learn and play better.
My prediction for this game is that the Browns will win 24-20. Being on the road won’t phase them and I think that the Browns defense will come up big. With Tank Dell out for the season, Houston has less options and I feel that Nico Collins will be monitored closely by the secondary. The offense under Joe Flacco is running more productively and I think they’ll do just enough to win this playoff game. You can watch this game on NBC and Peacock at 4:30 PM EST on 1/13/24 from NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
We have a good quarterback duel in this game to start the long awaited Wild Card Weekend. Will 38 year old Joe Flacco take the Browns into the Divisional Round or will C.J. Stroud keep rolling in his rookie season?
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