Browns Head To Houston As Underdog Based On Opening Spread

At 9-5 the Browns are closing in on a playoff berth, but as they hit the road to face the Texans on Christmas Eve, they open up as road un

The Browns have a chance to deliver an early Christmas present to Cleveland fans when they visit the Houston Texans on Christmas Eve next weekend.

At 9-5 on the season, the Browns have a chance to really solidify themselves as a wild card team in the AFC with win. That is easier said than done against a Texans team that despite being in rebuilding has been a competitive group all season, sitting at 8-6 and just outside the playoffs themselves.

Much of their success can be attributed to the stellar play of second-overall pick C.J. Stroud, who has thrown for 3,631 yards, 20 touchdowns and only five interceptions this season. He’s having a tremendous rookie season, however, he did sit out for the team’s Week 15 win over Tennessee due to a concussion suffered a week prior against the Jets.

His status for Week 16 will weigh heavily into how pundits and Vegas alike view their matchup with the Browns. Currently, according to the SI Sportsbook, the Browns will head to Houston as +2-point underdogs, without the full context of Stroud’s availability.

Should he be cleared to play this week, that will like sway the line even more favorably for the Texans.

The Browns have, to this point, produced quite the discrepancy between their home and away splits. For example, they are allowing just 13.1 points per game at Cleveland Browns Stadium this season – the best mark in the league. On the road though, that figure becomes the worst in the NFL, as Cleveland yields 30.1 points per game in opposing stadiums

Meanwhile, injuries continue to be a factor for the Browns. With 13 players already done for the season – there’s a possibility safety Grant Delpit could return for the postseason – they’re hanging on by a thread in certain areas. Particularly along the offensive line they’ve seen the most attrition as their top tackles: Jack Conklin, Jedrick Wills and rookie Dawand Jones are all on the IR.