Cleveland Browns vs Houston Texans Preview (12/4/22): Betting Odds, Prediction, Depth Chart

The Cleveland Browns visit the Houston in Week 13 of the 2022-23 NFL Season. The Browns are coming off a come from behind win against the Buccaneers, while the Texans are coming off a blowout loss to the Dolphins. This should especially be an interesting matchup because Deshaun Watson is done serving his suspension, and will be starting for the Browns against his former team. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!

Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Texans Betting Odds

The Cleveland Browns are 7-point road favorites against the Houston Texans and are at -320 on the money line. The over/under is also at 47. Cleveland being this big of a favorite makes sense just with Watson coming back and with the Texans most likely being the worst team in the NFL. The over/under makes sense because Cleveland can score, but isn’t great on defense, while the Texans struggle at both. This spread will also probably stay where it’s at and not move much either.

Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Texans Prediction

The pick: Browns -7

The Browns are not out of the playoff hunt and get a big piece back this week, in Deshaun Watson. Yes, it’s controversial having Watson back to playing, but there’s no denying the talent he has. What’s going to be difficult is Watson getting back into the flow of a game because he hasn’t played in almost two years. The offense is already the strength of the team and averages 24 points and 392 total yards on the year. Amari Cooper has been great in the receiving corps and the backfield tandem of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt has been incredible for the Browns. Watson is coming back to a decent situation on offense, which will help him ease into the game. The Browns defense has struggled this year. The one highlight for them on the season is what Myles Garrett’s been doing this year. For the Texans, there’s not been much to like this year. The offense has been one of the worst in the entire NFL and averages 16 points and 303 total yards a game for the year. The best piece they have is Dameon Pierce at running back, but that’s about it. The defense has shown flashes and has some decent pieces, but it’s still struggled a bit. Emotions will be high in this game across the board, but the Browns are the better team and it makes more sense to take the Browns and the points here.

Betting Trends

Browns are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up win.

Texans are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall.

Key Injuries

Cleveland Browns Injuries: CB Greg Newsome II (Head) Q, C Ethan Pocic (Knee) O

Houston Texans Injuries: DB Derek Stingley Jr. (Hamstring) Q, RB Rex Burkhead (Concussion) Q

Key Matchups

Check out the key matchups and mismatches for Cleveland Browns vs Houston Texans below.

Nick Chubb vs the Texans Front Seven

Nick Chubb has been great for the Browns this year. He has 200 carries, 1,039 rushing yards, and 12 rushing touchdowns on the year. Chubb has been one of the best running backs in the NFL this year. The Texans allow 167 rushing yards, which is a great matchup for Chubb. He needs to have a big game here for the Browns to have a chance here because Watson is going to be rusty in this game. There was an argument hat Chubb could’ve gotten 2,000 yards earlier this year, and it’s not over just yet because he’s that much of a bell cow for Cleveland.

Dameon Pierce vs the Browns Front Seven

Dameon Pierce has been great for the Texans this year as a rookie. He has 180 carries, 780 rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns on the year. Pierce has easily been one of the better rookies in the NFL this year. The Browns allow 132 rushing yards a game, which is a good matchup for Pierce. He needs to have a big game in order for the Texans to be in this game because their passing game has been struggling all year. Pierce could easily be the Offensive Rookie of the Year this year too.

Cleveland Browns Depth Chart

QB: Deshaun Watson
RB1: Nick Chubb
RB2: Kareem Hunt
LWR: Donovan Peoples-Jones
RWR: Amari Cooper
SWR: David Bell
TE1: David Njoku

Houston Texans Depth Chart

QB: Kyle Allen
RB1: Dameon Pierce
RB2: Eno Benjamin
LWR: Nico Collins
RWR: Brandin Cooks
SWR: Chris Moore
TE1: O.J. Howard