Texans vs. Browns Week 16: How to Watch, Betting Odds

The Texans return home for Week 16 to take on Joe Flacco and the Browns without starting quarterback C.J. Stroud.

After a two-game road trip that saw a 1-1 record, the Texans return home to face the playoff-hungry Browns featuring a suddenly resurgent journeyman quarterback Joe Flacco.

The Texans have won five of their last seven to remain in the playoff hunt and tied with the Jaguars and Colts atop the AFC South at 8-6. But they played last week without rookie phenom quarterback C.J. Stroud who is dealing with a concussion suffered in the Week 14 loss to the Jets. Stroud has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup with the Browns. 

Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (18) / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans was asked if Stroud's concussion would end his season. 

"No. Each concussion is different. It takes a different amount of time for each person to heal," Ryans told reporters Wednesday. "He's just going through the protocol just like everyone else has. The most important thing is making sure C.J. is healthy."

Case Keenum started in place of Stroud in last week's overtime win over the Titans and will get his second consecutive start under center.

Texans Rule Stroud OUT vs. Browns

The Browns are riding a two-game winning streak and have won five of their last seven to remain in the playoff picture at 9-5, two full games behind the Ravens for the lead in the AFC North. Cleveland has relied on former Ravens quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco after Deshaun Watson was lost for the season.

Flacco, 38, was plucked from his couch and signed on Nov. 20. Last week, in his third start for the Browns, he passed for 374 yards - 212 in the fourth quarter alone - in a comeback win over the Bears. 

WHAT: Cleveland Browns (9-5, 2-4 Road) at Houston Texans (8-6, 5-2 Home)

WHERE: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX (71,995)

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, 12 p.m. CT

TELEVISION: CBS / FuboTV (try it free)

RADIO: Sports Radio 610 (KILT-AM) | 100.3 The Bull

Get your tickets at SI Tickets

Betting via SI SportsBook

SPREAD: Texans +2.5

TOTAL: 39.5

MONEYLINE: Browns -150, Texans +125