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Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) and defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) and defensive end Alex Wright (91) celebrate after a tackle during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Week 16 NFL underdog report: Have defense, will travel

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 12/19/23

There’s no place like home for the holidays, but these road teams say, “Bah Humbug” to their underdog status for Week 16. (For the latest odds, go to oddschecker.)

Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans (-2.5)

The Texans and quarterback C.J. Stroud have been one of the NFL’s best stories. The team already has five more wins than they had in 2022 and find themselves in a three-way tie for first place in the AFC South.

It’s been a great season but they’ll face an amazing defense when the Browns come to town. No team gives up fewer passing yards (158.9) and total yards (261.1) per game than Cleveland.

The Browns defense won’t be easy for a rookie quarterback with a banged-up leading receiver. Nico Collins remains questionable after missing last week’s game with a calf injury. If he can’t go, Noah Brown will need another big game like he had against the Titans (82 yards and a touchdown) in Week 15.

Joe Flacco hits Amari Cooper in stride for the the touchdown

All tied up in Cleveland pic.twitter.com/rKL0LEm4Y2
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 17, 2023

Browns quarterback Joe Flacco knows all about big games. The MVP of Super Bowl XLVII has 186 NFL games under his belt including wins against the Bears and Jaguars in the past two weeks.

The 38-year-old QB is averaging 313 yards per game in three games with the team and can expect similar numbers against the Texans 25th-ranked pass defense.

Baltimore Ravens at San Francisco 49ers (-5.5)

Fans of NFL defense should love this Monday night matchup between Baltimore and San Francisco. Only the Browns give up less yards per game (261.1) than the Ravens (287.9) and only Baltimore has allowed fewer points (225) than San Francisco (234).

The Ravens will need great defense against the third-highest scoring team in the NFL. Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk are all top-10 at their position in terms of yardage but linebacker Roquan Smith and defensive tackle Justin Madubuike are among the league leaders in tackles and sacks.

Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson leads the Ravens in rushing with 741 yards and he’ll need even more without running back Keaton Mitchell. The undrafted rookie free agent had nine carries for 73 yards but tore his ACL against the Jaguars last week.

Ironically, each team is 11-3 and last met in 2019 when both were 10-2. Jackson threw for just 105 yards that day but ran for 101 yards in a 20-17 victory.

Another big day on the ground could limit San Francisco’s high-powered offense on Christmas Day and move Baltimore to 5-2 all-time against the 49ers.

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