Houston expert Larry Hartstein has weighed in on the upcoming AFC Wild Card Weekend matchup between the Cleveland Browns and the Houston Texans. As the teams prepare to face off on Saturday at NRG Stadium, both sides are looking to secure a vital victory to advance in the NFL playoffs.

The Browns (11-6) have found inspiration in the remarkable resurgence of former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco. The 38-year-old quarterback has guided the team to four consecutive wins, including a convincing 36-22 victory over the Texans (10-7) in Week 16. Flacco's impressive performance has injected new hope into Cleveland, which has relied heavily on their relentless defense throughout the season.

On the other side, rookie C.J. Stroud has been instrumental in leading the Texans to the AFC South title. Despite missing the Week 16 loss due to a concussion, Stroud has proved himself as a standout young quarterback and seeks to become the youngest signal-caller in NFL history to win a playoff game.

According to the latest odds, the Browns are listed as a two-point favorite, with the over/under for total points scored set at 44.5. For insights into this matchup, many turn to Larry Hartstein, a renowned sports analyst with a highly successful track record of predicting outcomes involving the Texans.

Hartstein, who has an extensive network of sources in Las Vegas and utilizes an analytical approach refined during his tenure at Pro Football Focus, has a strong reputation when it comes to predicting the Texans' games. Having gone 42-26-4 (+1344) in his last 72 NFL picks involving Houston, his followers have experienced considerable success.

As the Browns face the Texans, Hartstein has finalized his picks and predictions, which can be found on SportsLine. Throughout the season, his NFL best bets have yielded a 69-46-2 record since last year, including an impressive 14-7 record over the past seven weeks.

Cleveland's solid performance against the spread as favorites, going 10-6 over the past two seasons, boosts their chances of covering in this matchup. Their strong defense, fortified by Defensive Player of the Year candidate Myles Garrett and standout cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Martin Emerson Jr., provides a significant challenge for a rookie quarterback like Stroud making his first playoff start.

However, the Texans have displayed resilience throughout the season, particularly as underdogs, going 6-2 ATS in their last eight such games. Stroud's exceptional passing ability, leading the NFL in yards per game, has proven to be a key factor for Houston. Despite facing injury concerns, the team hopes key defensive players like Jonathan Greenlaw and Will Anderson will be ready to make an impact.

As fans anticipate the Browns vs. Texans matchup on Saturday, Hartstein's critical analysis suggests that the point total may go over. He has also identified a crucial X-factor that has influenced his prediction on which side of the spread to back.

To get an in-depth analysis and insights into the Browns vs. Texans matchup, fans are encouraged to visit SportsLine, where Larry Hartstein's expertise and 42-26 record on picks involving the Texans can assist in making informed betting decisions.

As anticipation builds for this AFC Wild Card clash, the question remains: Who will emerge triumphant and advance in the playoffs?