Two teams that both won in Week 1 matchup in Week 2, although the outlooks for the Texans and Browns this season could not look farther apart. It’s time to continue our NFL odds series and make a Texans-Browns prediction and pick.
While Tyrod Taylor led the Texans to a somewhat surprising win over the Jaguars last week, the Browns blew an early lead as they ultimately fell to the powerhouse that is the Kansas City Chiefs. Now the Texans travel to Cleveland, and even though the Browns literally have a better record than the Browns, the Browns should be favored by more than what the current odds are.
Here’s how the bookmakers have set the lines for Sunday's matchup.
NFL Odds: Texans-Browns Odds
Houston Texans +13 (-110)
Cleveland Browns -13 (-110)
Over 48 points (-110)
Under 48 points (-110)
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Why The Texans Could Cover
Houston, projected by many experts to be the worst team in football this season and maybe win just a game or two, was dominant throughout Week 1, defeating the Jaguars by 16 points and picking off rookie Trevor Lawrence three times. Tyrod Taylor, the veteran quarterback, threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns. For a team that was supposed to be so bad, the Texans looked solid on both ends of the ball in easily defeating Jacksonville. I don't see a scenario in which the Texans win this game, but the offense surely has enough talent in them, based off last week, to keep this game within two touchdowns. Brandin Cooks had a huge game with 132 receiving yards, but no touchdowns. Look for that touchdown to come late in the game this week, even if that means in securing the backdoor cover. If the Texans were able to win by over two touchdowns last week, I think they'll pile together enough solid football over the course of 60 minutes to keep this game closer than expected, especially considering the Browns fell completely flat against the Chiefs in the second half last week.
Why The Browns Could Cover
The Browns led 22-10 at halftime last week before collapsing in the second half and ultimately losing by four points in Kansas City. The fact that the Browns played so well for 30 minutes against the AFC's best teams says a lot about how good this Browns team will be this season. Now, the Browns return to Cleveland with a matchup against one of the NFL's worst teams. Baker Mayfield threw for 321 yards last week, but no touchdowns. Against a Texans defense that allowed Trevor Lawrence in his first NFL game to throw for three touchdowns, look for Mayfield to throw for at least three scores as well, if not more. In fact, I can see Mayfield for putting up 400+ passing yards, or at least close that number, in this game. The Texans will be riding high after their nice Week 1 win, but the Browns – with one of the NFL's best defensive lines – will shut down Houston from start to finish. The rushing game might add in another score or two also after they scored four total touchdowns in last week's loss. The Browns are hungry for a win after a heartbreaking loss but getting the Texans is the best thing Cleveland fans could have asked for. Tyrod Taylor has a chance to be benched in this game maybe sometime in the second half, by virtue of complete disappointment against the Browns defense. I can even see Cleveland securing a pick-six in this contest, which has all signs pointing to a Browns route.
Final Texans-Browns Prediction & Pick
Cleveland wins huge back in their home stadium against a very bad Texans team. The Browns want to forget about last week and will come out strong from the first drive. Cleveland might win this game by 25+ points just based on the various mismatches at all different positions across the field. I see the Browns winning this game something like 40-7, easily covering the 13 point spread.
FINAL PICK: Browns -13 (-110)
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