3 NFL Wild Card Prop Bets for Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans

It's Super Wild Card Weekend, which means NFL fans will be treated to three days of wild playoff action, featuring two games on Saturday, three on Sunday, and a Monday night special to close it out. Some of the NFL's finest will be out in force as they vie for a Super Bowl title.

Utilizing numberFire's projections as a guide, here are some NFL player props bets that look appealing.

Please note that betting lines and numberFire's game projections may change throughout the day after this article is published. Also, the weather may be an issue in some locations.

Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans: Spread, Moneyline and Total

All NFL odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

• Spread: Browns -2
• Moneyline:
  • Browns -136
  • Texans +116
• Total: 44.5 (-108/-112)

Cleveland Browns-Houston Texans Overview

As someone born in the 1990s, the majority of my life has rendered a Cleveland Browns-Houston Texans playoff meeting as almost something to laugh at, but the franchises have done well to take productive steps over the past two years.

Both sides here are snapping multi-year postseason droughts. Despite losing starting quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) and All-Pro running back Nick Chubb (leg) to injury, Cleveland played masterfully to an 11-6 record.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has leaned on his suffocating defense, one that has allowed only 270.2 total yards per game (NFL's best clip). Through it all, there is a solid chance Stefanski will be named 2023-24 AP Coach of the Year. From there, edge rusher Myles Garrett will likely be the Defensive Player of the Year.

Turning to rookie signal-caller C.J. Stroud as well as first-time head coach DeMeco Ryans, the Texans are enjoying their best campaign since 2019, finishing the regular season at 10-7. Houston -- a team amidst a culture change -- played well enough to earn their seventh AFC South title after winning just three games in 2022.

For his efforts, Stroud (23:5 TD-INT ratio) will almost certainly be awarded the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, although Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua gave him a quality race. Of course, for Stroud, the ultimate prize -- Super Bowl LVIII -- still lies ahead.

Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans: Prop Bets

C.J. Stroud Over 242.5 Passing Yards (-114)

After a fabulous rookie campaign, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud produced the eighth-highest passing total (4,108 yards) of the 2023 season. Being that Stroud missed a couple of starts due to injury, his clip of 273.9 YPG through the air was first among signal-callers to play at least 15 games.

Houston will host the Browns this Saturday for the second time in a month. Back in Week 16, Cleveland went to H-town and defeated the Texans 36-22. However, Stroud was inactive for that bid, as the rook from Ohio State was still going through the league-mandated concussion protocol.

After returning to action in Week 17, Stroud will be ready to go this Saturday. As the first game of the Super Wild Card Weekend, Stroud will look to set the tone with pass catchers Nico Collins (16.2 YPR) and Dalton Schultz (59 receptions).

Fortunately for over bettors here, this contest will be played at Houston's NRG Stadium, which can be enclosed to negate any harsh weather conditions (the playoff games in Kansas City and Buffalo this weekend will not have that luxury). With that, I like C.J. to pass for more than 242 yards at home.

Amari Cooper Any Time TD Scorer (+160)

Browns star receiver Amari Cooper (heel) has been inactive the past two weeks, but there was a chance he would have been kept out of at least one of those games anyway, as Cleveland clinched playoff positioning rather early. Fast-forward to now, and Cooper claims to be ready to go for this Saturday.

Ironically, we have not seen Cooper in action since Week 16 versus this same Texans team (sans Stroud, of course). Last time Coop was at NRG Stadium, the Alabama alum set Cleveland's single-game record for most receiving yards (265). On that day, he also found the end zone twice.

Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco managed to instantly establish a rapport with Cooper. Since taking over the offense in Week 12, Flacco has thrice connected with Cooper for scores. Additionally, Coop's 48 targets in five games together is tops on the team.

In a playoff environment where weather will not be a factor, I anticipate Flacco leans on a matchup that he is confident in. For reference, Houston's pass defense is ranked 20th in the NFL at numberFire. I believe Cooper produces a touchdown (+160 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook) against a softer Texan secondary.

Jerome Ford Over 42.5 Rushing Yards (-114)

Given the absence of superstar tailback Nick Chubb, the Browns have turned to second-year player Jerome Ford. A Cincinnati alum, Ford knows all too well what gridiron football means in the state of Ohio. In 2023, he definitively outshined his running mate (Kareem Hunt), accounting for the lion's share (39.4%) of Cleveland's rushing attempts.

Ford saw a drastic increase in usage this season compared to last. Even with the inflated workload, Ford has still managed a respectable 3.99 yards per carry. Going against an approachable rushing total of 42.5 yards in his inaugural NFL playoff bid, I like Ford's over.

In contests where Ford touts the rock more than 10 times, Ford has gone over this specific prop total at a 70% rate. Ideally, Cleveland will be in a positive script, as FanDuel Sportsbook has the Browns as two-point road favorites in Houston. If that winds up being the case, Ford will see his role increased. Ideally, he'll clear 42.5 rushing yards with ease.

With football's postseason finally here, the NFL Playoffs No Sweat Same Game Parlay is eligible for any Super Wild Card game played on Saturday, January 13th. This exclusive promotion can be applied to any SGP/SGP+ wager of three or more legs that also totals +400 odds or longer -- if your qualified bet loses, get a refund! For all stipulations, visit the promos page on FanDuel Sportsbook.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.