Cleveland Browns (0-5 SU, 1-4 ATS) vs. Houston Texans (2-3 SU, 3-2 ATS)
NFL Week 6
Date/Time: Sunday, October 15th, 2017 1:00 PM ET
Where: NRG Stadium Houston, TX
TV: CBS
by Keith, Expert Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: Cle +9.5/Hou -9.5
Over/Under Total: 45
The Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans will face each other in a AFC North against a AFC South clash that has implications for both parties. Houston had its way in this intraconference series as they had won their previous three against the Dawg Pound. The most recent occurrence was one that Cleveland would not like to highlight. In 2014, the Browns were defeated by the Texans in Cleveland in a 23-7 loss. The time of kick off is set for 1:00 PM ET live from NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The game will be aired for regional audiences on CBS.
The Texans come in off a shootout loss at Houston, last Sunday. The Texans were able to generate offense but once again the defense was the subject of question. The Chiefs would win 42-34 and remain undefeated year-to-date. Houston came into the affair as a two-point underdog but failed to cover the small line. This is the same Houston bunch that gave the Patriots fight in Foxboro, a place the Pats are known to be impossible to beat. In that market, Houston was spotted two touchdowns. The Texans held a lead late into the game before New England would edge the Texans out by a score of 36-33. The defense which is supposed to be Houston’s strong point again was responsible for the evaporated lead. On the year, Houston has given up an excess of 28 points or more in three games we have seen them in. As it stands, the Texans are a game out of first place in the AFC South behind the Jacksonville Jaguars. A team that pummeled the Texans at home in Week 1 by a score of 29-7. The worst news for Houston is that their best player on defense, J.J. Watt is out indefinitely with a leg injury. The bright spot of Houston’s entire franchise will be inactive for this affair which is a huge headline for the Browns to focus on.
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As we have highlighted before, the Cleveland Browns are currently on pace to earn the number one draft pick as they remain winless now for the fifth consecutive week. The most recent episode of Cleveland futility came against the New York Jets. The Jets were supposed to be the team that the Browns currently are. However, the Jets are threatening for first place in the AFC East with their third consecutive win coming in Cleveland last Sunday. The Browns are currently riding a six-game losing streak that extends to back to last season. Against the Jets, the Browns failed to cover what was a toss-up at the spread. No team was spotting or taking back any more than 1.5 points. Cleveland lost by a field goal to Gang Green in a 17-14 final.
In the early going, much of the public seems to fancy the Texans. 67% of the consensus are in on the Texans. From what we have seen, money has rolled in on the Browns as this market has diminished by point from the open. The Over/Under in this contest has increased by a point from 44 to 45, reflecting action on the Over in the early going. What jumps out us most is the expansion in points offered to Cleveland this week. Last week, the Browns opened as a 1.5-point choice and closed as a 1.5-point home pup. With the offering Cleveland came in at the off-set of this market, the Browns were subjected to a 12-point swing over the span of two weeks while covering just once this year. This is even more extraordinary considering the Texans are without their best defensive player. Very simply, Houston cannot be trusted spotting this kind of points; even to a team as poor as the Browns. The ship may have sailed on Cleveland’s season but it is worth highlighting that three of their five losses this season were by a margin of a field goal. Houston’s offensive identity has certainly been established but how its defensive performs without its leader and most dynamic player is yet to be seen. So far, it’s been unimpressive even with Watt present. Therefore, we won’t be caught spotting this kind of lumber, period.
KEITH’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: Cleveland Browns +9.5. Bet this game and ALL foots/hoops wagers at -105 odds instead of the -110 that you’re likely paying. Making the switch to reduced odds saves you a ton of money over the long haul and trumps ANY sign-up bonus that you can get! Find this sweet offer at 5Dimes Sportsbook.
