Browns vs. Texans Wild Card player props, picks: CJ Stroud, Jerome Ford

The NFL playoffs have finally arrived. This year, we’ll have player prop bets for each game right up through the Super Bowl. This weekend’s slate kicks off with Saturday’s Browns Texans tilt in Houston. The total for this one comes in at 44.5 on BetRivers Sportsbook , which is about middle of the pack in terms of expectations for this weekend’s six games.

Our player props and picks record stands at 45 60, with a profit of 42.6 units with 40.06 percent ROI. Below we break down the best player props picks and bets ahead of Browns Texans. Ford is a great bet to target in the passing game this weekend, having hit the Over on this prop in two straight games, including four of his last six.

The Texans have struggled to stop opposing running backs in the passing game this season, ranking in the bottom half of the league in receiving yards allowed to running backs. Ford is in a great spot as a higher volume receiver with six games of at least five targets. Look for Ford to be active even with quarterback Joe Flacco pushing the ball down the field.

The Browns’ defense is among the best in the league, but CJ Stroud has cleared this number 11 times in 15 games this season. Cleveland allowed Trevor Siemian to throw for 261 yards on Dec. 28, so Stroud will have ample opportunity to pass this number Saturday. Stroud is also a threat as a runner, and that facet of his game is worth targeting too The Browns have allowed five rushing touchdowns this season, tied for the sixth most in the NFL.

As the season has worn on, Stroud has shown more willingness to run. He’s tallied three rushing touchdowns in his last nine games. And in a playoff game, he should be ready to plunge for a touchdown at a moment’s notice..