Houston Texans at Cleveland Browns Betting Preview
The Texans enter the game after a 37-21 mild upset win over Jacksonville, while the Browns dropped a 33-29 contest to Super Bowl favorite Kansas City.
Game Odds
In one of three Week 2 games that have an opening double-digit point spread, Cleveland is a 12.5-point favorite, according to Sportsbooks. Bettors selecting either team to cover the spread have odds of -110. Sportsbooks has also set the Over/Under point total at 48 with -110 odds on either side of the number.
Welcome to Houston
Playing in their first games as Texans, Tyrod Taylor and Mark Ingram helped guide the team to a Week 1 win. Taylor completed 21 of 33 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns while also adding 40 yards on the ground.
Ingram, who came to Texas after spending the last two years as more of a role player in Baltimore, racked up 85 yards on the ground and a touchdown. The 85 yards was his most since touching up the Rams defense for 111 yards in Week 13 of the 2019 season, while Ingram’s 26 totes marked his most touches since 30 October 2014, vs. Carolina (30-100).
Couldn’t Finish
Despite entering the game as a 5.5-point underdog and on the road against the team favored to win it all this season, Cleveland only trailed the Chiefs once in the game. Unfortunately, it happened on the last score of the game. The Browns led 8-0, 15-3, 22-10, and 29-20 but could not seal the deal. Leading 29-27 midway through the fourth, Cleveland fumbled a punt near its own endzone.
Three plays later, KC made the Browns pay for the gaffe with what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown with just over seven minutes left in the game.
Cleveland Stats
Baker Mayfield completed 21 of 28 passes for 321 yards but did not throw a touchdown in the loss.
David Njoku caught three passes for 76 yards, while Jarvin Landry (5-71) and Anthony Schwartz (3-69) combined for eight receptions and 140 yards.
Nick Chubb led the ground game with 83 yards on 15 totes, and two scores, while Kareem Hunt added 33 yards on six carries.
The Browns finished the game with 457 yards from scrimmage, outgaining the Chiefs by 60 yards.
No OBJ
Odell Beckham Jr. will not suit up again in Week 2. Cleveland is reporting OBJ is still making progress with no setbacks as he recovers from a knee injury but will miss at least one more game.
Game Trends
Houston has dominated the series by winning seven of the last ten matchups, including winning six of the last seven.
The Texans are 6-3 in their last nine games overall against the spread, while they have covered the spread in each of the last six meetings against Cleveland.
The Browns are 4-2 ATS in their last six games but are just 1-4 ATS in their last five games overall.
Cleveland is 5-13-1 ATS in its last 19 September games.
The Over has hit in six of the last nine games overall for the Browns.
The Under has hit nine of the last ten meetings between the two teams.
Free Bet: Cleveland -12.5 (-110)
Houston may enter the game feeling good with a win last week, but it won’t be facing a rookie head coach and a rookie quarterback.
The Browns will look to get back on track at home and will most likely have a sour taste in their mouths after leading KC throughout most of the game in Week 1. Look for the Browns to roll from the beginning in this one.
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