NFL Odds Week 16: Browns vs Texans Lines, Spreads, Betting Trends

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

Week 16 of the NFL season continues with a matchup will help decide a heated AFC wild card race as the Cleveland Browns visit the Houston Texans. The betting odds see Cleveland as a 2.5-point underdog after nearly losing to Chicago last week. Coverage begins from NRG Stadium in Houston on Sunday, December 24 at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS.

Here's everything you need to know about the NFL odds for Week 16: Browns vs. Texans lines, spreads, betting trends and more.

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Cleveland Browns vs Houston Texans Odds

• Opening point spread: Texans -2.5
• Opening moneyline: Texans -140/Browns +120
• Opening total: Over/Under 42.5 points scored
• Time: 1 p.m. ET Sunday (CBS)

UPDATE 10:30 A.M. ET SUNDAY: With 2.5 hours until kickoff, Cleveland is out to a 3-point favorite in BetMGM's NFL odds Week 16 market. Houston opened -2.5 last Sunday night. But with QB C.J. Stroud's continued stay in concussion protocol, the line jumped the fence to Cleveland -1 by Tuesday night.

The number slowly crept up from there, reaching Browns -3 this morning. Spread tickets are running 3/1 and spread money 2.5/1 on Cleveland. BetMGM customers are also on Browns moneyline, at 2/1 tickets and 6/1 money.

The total initially climbed from 42 to 43 by Monday morning, but dropped to 40 by Tuesday night. It's still at 40, with 60% of tickets/67% of money on the Over.

UPDATE 7 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Browns-Texans is seeing the most notable movement of the week at TwinSpires. Houston opened -2.5, and the line has since flipped to Cleveland -2.5, with a stop at pick 'em along the way.

That's in no small part to Texans QB C.J. Stroud remaining in concussion protocol. He didn't practice today and remains listed as questionable. Cleveland is attracting 55% of early spread bets/74% of early spread money.

The total opened at 42 and is down to 40, with 52% of bets/61% of money on the Under.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Behind Joe Flacco, Cleveland (9-5 SU and ATS) continues to hold firm in the AFC playoff picture. In Week 15, the Browns rallied from a 17-7 fourth-quarter deficit to beat Chicago 20-17. Cleveland narrowly cashed as 2.5-point home chalk.

Houston (8-6 SU/7-7 ATS) went on the road without C.J. Stroud (concussion) and snagged a victory. The Texans, 3-point 'dogs vs. Tennessee, got a late field goal to tie the game at 16 and force overtime. Houston then won 19-16.

The SuperBook gave the nod to Houston on its opening Browns-Texans line.

"This line is based on the assumption that C.J. Stroud will play," Michaelson said. "Cleveland is coming off what I'll nicely call an ugly win. So I don't know how much appetite there will be on the dog this side of 3. Houston has fallen slightly out of fashion with the Stroud injury, so it'll be interesting to see where the public comes down on this game."

The total is down a half-point to 42 on The SuperBook's NFL Week 16 odds board.

Click here for Vegas Insider senior reporter Patrick Everson's full NFL Odds Week 16 Report containing spreads, lines, and trends for every NFL matchup.

Browns vs Texans Pick, Prediction

Action Network NFL betting expert Brandon Anderson offers this prediction:

Check back soon for picks!

Pick: TBD

For more NFL picks, check out Action Network's NFL Week 16: How to Bet Every Game & Every Team.

The One Stat to Know About Browns vs Texans

Action Network NFL researcher Evan Abrams offers his top betting stat:

Check back soon for betting stats!

For more NFL betting stats, check out Action Network's NFL Week 16 Betting Trends, Stats, Notes.

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Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson