HOUSTON — The Cleveland Browns take to the road for a Christmas Eve contest against the Houston Texans as the team looks to lock up a playoff spot.
Below is everything you need to know ahead of Sunday's game:
Game info, how to watch on TV, betting line:
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
- TV channel: CBS
- Radio: ESPN 850, 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX
- Betting line: -3 Browns
- Over-under point total: 40
Preview:
Sunday's game will serve to be a pivotal contest as both the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans fight for a spot in the vicious AFC wild-card race. Following a 20-17 victory over the Chicago Bears in Week 15, Flacco Fever is alive and well in Cleveland as the veteran QB continues to lead the team.
The biggest X factor in Sunday's game is the news of Texans QB C.J. Stroud missing his second straight week due to a concussion he suffered in the team's loss to the New York Jets on Dec. 10. Backup QB Case Keenum, a name familiar to Clevelanders, will take the reins for the Texans on Sunday, one week after defeating the Titans 19-16. Keenum threw for 229 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the victory.
Without Stroud, the young Texans' offense that has faced a multitude of injuries this season, including losing Tank Dell, could struggle against a strong Browns defense that has proven to be the best in the league, holding opponents to 261.1 total yards per game.
Meanwhile, the Browns continue to deal with an abundance of injuries as DE Ogbo Okronkwo, safety Juan Thornhill and LB Anthony Walker Jr. will all miss Sunday's game due to injuries. Currently, left guard Joel Bitonio is questionable for the game.
Thanks to the team's next-man-up mentality, the Browns find themselves in the heat of the wild card race. ESPN's Football Power Index gives Cleveland a 90.6% chance of reaching the postseason, the fourth-best odds of all NFL teams who have yet to clinch a spot.
For all of the Cleveland Browns' clinch scenarios CLICK HERE.
MORE CLEVELAND BROWNS COVERAGE:
