The Cleveland Browns (4-7, 1-4 Away) and their great rushing offense are on the road to take on the Houston Texans (1-9-1, 0-4-1 Home), one of the league’s softest ground defenses, at NRG Stadium on Sunday. The Browns are seven-point favorites, and the total is 47.
Cleveland is coming off a 23-17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at FirstEnergy Stadium last Sunday. Jacoby Brissett was 23 of 37 for 210 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Nick Chubb ran 26 times for 116 yards and a touchdown. Amari Cooper was targeted 12 times, catching seven passes for 94 yards.
Houston dropped a sixth straight game last Sunday, falling 30-15 to the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Kyle Allen threw for 215 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Dare Ogunbowale carried four times for 14 yards and a touchdown. Jordan Akins also scored once. He caught five receptions for 61 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Browns won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 31-21 victory in September. Baker Mayfield threw one touchdown for Cleveland, as Nick Chubb added a rushing TD and Demetric Felton scored once through the air.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Browns are averaging 23.9 points per game for the season, 11th in the NFL, and they are facing a Texans defense that has surrendered 23.6 PPG (23rd). Meanwhile, Houston has scored 15.8 points a game this season, 31st in the league, and Cleveland is allowing 26.0 PPG (30th).
The Browns rank as one of the league’s top teams in rushing yards per game (154.4, 5th), while they are 17th in passing yards (237.1). They will look to take advantage on the ground, as the Texans are worst in the league in rushing yards allowed per game (168.6). Against the pass, Houston is 16th (230.5).
Houston has been one of the league’s least successful rushing teams, averaging 88.5 yards per game (29th), while ranking 26th in passing yards (214.5). The Browns are allowing 230.8 passing yards (17th) and 131.6 rushing yards per game (23rd).
Houston ranks as one of the least productive red zone offenses in the NFL, advancing inside the 20-yard-line only 2.6 times per game (31st) and scoring a touchdown on just 45% of those possessions (30th).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through 11 games, Jacoby Brissett has thrown for 12 touchdowns (6 INT) and 237.1 yards per game to lead Cleveland in passing. In five away games this season, he has five TDs (1 INT) and an average of 235.0 yards passing. Nick Chubb leads the team in rushing with an average of 94.5 yards a game over 11 games.
He has 12 touchdowns on the ground. Amari Cooper is the Browns’ leading receiver with 72.0 yards a game and seven TDs. He is averaging 5.2 receptions on 8.5 targets per game. Davis Mills has 11 passing touchdowns (11 INT) with 214.4 yards per game through 10 games to lead Houston.
In five home games this season, he has thrown for seven TDs (7 INT) and an average of 192.2 yards. Dameon Pierce has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 71.6 yards a game through 11 games.
He has four total touchdowns, three rushing and one receiving. Brandin Cooks has been a key target in the Texans’ aerial attack. He has one touchdown and a 52.0 yard per game average through 10 appearances. Brandin Cooks is averaging 7.1 targets per game (4.4 receptions).
HOME AND AWAY
Cleveland is looking to avoid a fifth successive road loss this season. Houston is looking for a first home win this season.
SportsTips’ NFL Pick:
Cleveland Browns -8 (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
