It is Wild Card Weekend, and the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans are set to kick off the postseason this afternoon at 4:25 in Houston.
The Browns enter this matchup with a record of 11-6, 4-0 in the last four games that quarterback Joe Flacco has started. The Texans, fresh off of stealing the AFC South from the plummeting Jacksonville Jaguars, enter this game with a record of 10-7.
Winning the first matchup in blowout fashion, the Browns had to face off against their former backup quarterback Case Keenum in that game. Wide receiver Amari Cooper set the franchise record for receiving yards in a single game, and the only touchdown the Texans scored before the Browns peeled back their starters came from a kick return.
With C.J. Stroud and others returning for this game, however, can the Browns find similar success? Here are our Browns Wire staff predictions as the Browns look to continue their 2023 season which has been nothing short of a wild ride.
Jacob Roach (@roachizm13): Browns over Texans
For the second time in the last couple of weeks, the Browns are on the road with a matchup with the Texans. They will do so with Amari Cooper healthy and ready to match up against a team he had 265 yards against setting a Browns’ single-game record. With Cooper back and the growing chemistry between Joe Flacco and David Njoku, this offense will be able to put up points on this defense.
With CJ Stroud back the defense has a bigger threat than the first time but he hasn’t seen a pass rush like this. A rookie quarterback against this defense sets up nicely for a Browns 31-20 win.
Browns Alchemy (@BrownsAlchemy): Browns over Texans
The Cleveland Browns will look to repeat their victory over the Houston Texans today. The Browns will re-commit to the aggressive passing strategy that beat the Texans last month.
However, this matchup will be more challenging as the Texans welcomed back most of their injured stars: quarterback C.J. Stroud and the pass-rushing duo Will Anderson Jr. and Jonathan Greenard.
The Texans’ pass rush is the biggest threat in the game. The Browns must bide time for Joe Flacco to throw the ball. The Browns’ best shot at beating the Texans is by their passing attack. The Browns need to involve Amari Cooper and David Njoku today.
The Texans have a dangerous offense between Stroud, wide receiver Nico Collins, and running back Dameon Pierce. They’re an explosive trio that can score a touchdown on any play. The Browns must limit the damage from Nico Collins if they want to stop the Texans’ passing attack.
Expect fireworks when the Browns and Texans square off this evening. Both teams have prolific passing attacks that are hard to stop. In the end, the Browns’ playoff experience will give them the edge over the Houston Texans.
The Browns win 31-20.
Cory Kinnan (@fakecorykinnan): Browns over Texans
This matchup will not be the cakewalk that the first one was.
The Texans are getting back several key players who were not present in the first game, most importantly C.J. Stroud. However, the Browns are also healthier than they were the first time these two teams played.
And while Stroud has been dynamic this season, he has struggled against two things: man coverage and pressure. The Browns have checked both of those boxes as often as any team in the NFL this season.
As long as quarterback Joe Flacco stays hot and finds a way to spread the ball around to Amari Cooper, David Njoku, and Elijah Moore, the Browns should be fine in this game. An added improvement to the run game would be icing on the cake.
It will be close, but the Browns pull this one out.
Browns win 32-27.
