Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL wild card recreation – USA TODAY

The Houston Texans might need the offensive rookie of the 12 months, defensive rookie of the 12 months and coach of the 12 months after returning to the playoffs for the primary time since 2019.
Within the wild card spherical, they host the Cleveland Browns, who might need one of the best protection within the NFL. The Browns completed the season with a four-game profitable streak earlier than resting their starters within the common season finale. They’re making their return to the postseason since 2020.
This season, DeMeco Ryans led the Texans to their first AFC South title behind first-round picks C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr.
Joe Flacco joined the Browns from his sofa after the group went via a collection of accidents to their quarterbacks. They captured a wild card berth.
Of their lone matchup of the common season, Cleveland beat Houston 36-22 behind a franchise-record 265 receiving yards from Amari Cooper. Stroud was out with a concussion.
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NFL playoff schedule:Dates, times, TV info from wild-card round to Super Bowl 58
AFC: Texans vs. Browns | Chiefs vs. Dolphins | Bills vs. Steelers
NFC: Cowboys vs. Packers | Lions vs. Rams | Buccaneers vs. Eagles
Final time these groups performed in Week 16, Joe Flacco struggled when Houston performed him in zone protection and I anticipate Cleveland to have adjusted. The Browns obtained to relaxation starters and ought to be contemporary, their protection is among the finest within the league and, although Houston didn’t have C.J. Stroud accessible in that Week 16 recreation, its youth might take a while to get adjusted to the stage.
The Texans handed their first must-win check in what was a playoff-type surroundings in Indy. Now they’re at house towards a Browns group with the stingiest protection within the NFL. The Browns beat the C.J. Stroud-less Texans in Week 16. Stroud can be within the lineup Saturday and his presence underneath heart goes to make a giant distinction. This recreation goes to be a major check for the younger upstart Texans, however like a lot of the common season, they’ll be up for the duty.
C.J. Stroud was sidelined when Joe Flacco and Amari Cooper torched the Texans in Houston 36-22 on Christmas Eve, however that gained’t occur once more this week. Positive, the Texans have the youth and the Browns have the expertise, however Houston will take its classes realized from their final matchup to win at house of their wildcard matchup Saturday. 
The Browns have extra veteran expertise behind Joe Flacco and their protection is among the finest within the league this 12 months, however C.J. Stroud didn’t play of their first matchup and the rookie is using sky-high proper now. The Texans have all of the momentum on the planet after their shocking AFC South title and have contemporary power from first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans and their stud rookie quarterback.
The fightin’ Flacco’s have been among the best groups within the NFL in latest weeks and ripped aside a C.J. Stroud-less Texans group three weeks in the past. Houston can be higher this time round, however the younger squad isn’t in a position to overcome the Cleveland protection at house. 
You possibly can view the complete record of USA TODAY’s NFL skilled predictions here.
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