DawgTalkers.net Forums The Archives 2020 NFL Season Looking Back: Browns 10 Texans 7 Browns vs Texans Matchup

Game is on Fox and kicks off at 1:00 at First Energy Stadium.

Browns are favored by 3 and the over/under is 54.

Weather: It's early in the week, but right now the forecast calls for a high of 64 and rain showers w/18 mph winds. Not ideal, but better than the Raider game.

Some stats: Texans giving up around 31 pts per game. They rank dead last in rushing yards allowed per attempt. Their pass defense is also terrible. Offensively, they can give the Browns problems because Watson is elusive and can buy time. The Texans are close to the top yards per game and passing TDs.

My keys to the game:

--The Texans will stack the box. We should be able to light them up in the passing game and then run once they make adjustments.

--Watson is good and he will make some plays. We will have to roll our deep coverage to stop Fuller from beating us deep. That will leave other receivers w/favorable match-ups.

--Houston's OL is horrid. Watson does hold the ball too long. We gotta pressure him, but again, he is good at buying time. Keep him in the pocket and blitz through the A gaps rather than the edges.

--Baker can not turn the ball over more than once.

Prediction: I am not good at predicting games, but the Browns are much too good to lose to the Texans unless we turn it over. The Texans D is even worse than ours. They give up about 160 on the ground alone. Their secondary is also bad and so is their OL. David Johnson might be out w/a concussion. The Browns should cover rather easily.

Nice synopsis ... I haven’t seen them much but know Watson is dynamic and Fuller/Cooks are explosive.

But their primary RB is out and Duke is their guy now ... and their OL is not good.

It will probably come down to us just limiting turnovers and keeping Watson in the pocket

The only time I picked the browns to win was against the raiders, and of course we lost. Soooo i suppose i should just stick with "if it aint broke dont fix it"

Texans 34
Browns 24

This game is huge in determining how the rest of our season will go. I think the Texans might be better than their record indicates. Their losses are vs. the Chiefs, Packers, Steelers, Ravens, Titans and Vikings. On the other side of the coin, their two wins were vs. the Jags. We are coming off a bye, fairly healthy. We are in the back half of the season with a relatively easy road home. If we are on the right track, this is where we must find our stride, beginning with this game. No more "learning the playbook", "new players trying to fit into a new system" type excuses. Those things should be ironed out. If we lose, we can forget about the playoffs and a lot of questions will be raised.

Good point about the Texans schedule. That's pretty remarkable.

I'm sure they are looking at this game as a turning point to straighten out their season after that brutal first half schedule.

no doubt. They have played some good teams and have offensive talent ... they have a good chance to beat us.

I anticipate a close game

I think the key, for us, will be players, somehow, getting more comfortable and playing better in our defense. The D has to scrounge together some sort of mediocre performance. Ex. they might still get run over, but are able to get a couple turnovers and give the offense a short field as well as forcing a few punts.

I think the offense will return to form and we'll be able to get OBJ's absence sorted out, in terms of strategy adjustments.

What's crazy is that the polarity of their schedule. They have lost to some very good teams. On the hand, their only two victories were both against the Jags.

Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Texans Matchup Preview (11/15/20): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)
By Ryan Taylor | Nov 10, 2020, 1:52pm

The Houston Texans will take on the Cleveland Browns in an AFC South vs. North matchup in week 10. The Cleveland Browns are coming off of their bye week in week nine after losing to the Las Vegas Raiders in week 8. The Houston Texans are coming off of their second win of the season against their division rivals Jacksonville Jaguars. For odds movement and full matchup history, visit the Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Texans Matchup Page.

TV Schedule
Date: Sunday, November 15th, 2020
Time: 1:05 PM ET
Location: FirstEnergy Stadium – Cleveland, Ohio
TV Coverage: FOX



Injuries:
Cleveland Browns: Questionable: Austin Hooper (appendix), Jacob Phillips (knee), Wyatt Teller (calf), Vincent Taylor (concussion), Myles Garrett (knee), IR: Baker Mayfield (COVID)
Houston Texans: Questionable: Kyle Emanuel (concussion), Charles Omenihu (leg), David Johnson (concussion), Senio Kelemete (concussion), Brennan Scarlett (forearm), IR (COVID): Jake Martin, Max Scharping, Whitney Mercilus, Dylan Cole

Cleveland Browns Analysis
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are 5-3 for a tough third spot in the AFC North behind the undefeated Steelers and the 6-2 Ravens. The Browns are coming off of their bye week this week and will take on the Texans in a must-win situation to stay in the hunt. The Texans’ weak defense and offensive struggles should be taken advantage of by the Browns next week. However, they are still waiting to see if Baker Mayfield will be able to come off of the COVID IR list, in which case he may be paired up with Nick Chubb in the backfield after he was on IR since week four.

The run game for the Cleveland Browns is their biggest offensive strength this season. They are top ten in the NFL in rushing attempts and yards led by Kareem Hunt’s 529 yards, which is 10th in the NFL. Their offensive line has been terrific in the run game with 4.87 adjusted line yards, which is third in the NFL, and their 1.59 average 2nd level yards value, which leads the league. With the return of Nick Chubb this week, their run game will improve dramatically with two healthy elite running backs. The Texans are the second most rushed against team, giving up 5.1 yards per carry to opponents and nearly 160 rushing yards per game, the worst in the NFL.

With the loss of Odell Beckham Jr., this passing offense has received quite a shock. Even before, the Browns are a below-average passing team behind Baker Mayfield. Baker has thrown for just over 1,500 yards this season with a 15:7 TD: INT ratio. He is below average in almost every category except for touchdowns. The Browns have just two receivers in the top 100 for yards with Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. Without OBJ, they will be left with Landry, Rashard Higgins, and tight end Hunter Bryant and David Njoku for the rest of the season. With Houston’s starting corner Bradley Roby out next week, the hope is they can take advantage of the passing game as well as the run game.

The Cleveland Browns defense has disappointingly allowed nearly 30 points per game and 371 yards per game to their opponents, but they have a lot of solid players helping out their defense. Myles Garrett is tied with Aaron Donald with 9 total sacks on the season for the best in the league. Denzel Ward and Terrence Mitchell have combined for nearly 20 passes defended, both of which rank in the top ten amongst all defenders. The Houston Texans have the ability to score the ball, especially with deep threats Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks. Safeties Ronnie Harrison Jr. and Andrew Sendejo will be key in defending the open field next week.

The Browns are in a tough spot in their division, with two of the best teams in football competing high in the AFC. The Browns will need to try to stay competitive with the Ravens to have a shot at the playoffs. Houston is certainly one of the easier teams they will have on their schedule, making this a pretty important game for them. If they can succeed in the run game and contain Deshaun Watson, they will have a great shot at winning this game.

Cleveland Browns Depth Chart
QB: Baker Mayfield
RB1: Nick Chubb
RB2: Kareem Hunt
WR1: Odell Beckham Jr.
WR2: Jarvis Landry
WR3: Rashard Higgins
TE: Austin Hooper

Cleveland Browns Links
Browns Depth Chart
Browns Roster
Browns Stats
Browns Snaps
Browns Injuries
Browns Schedule

Houston Texans Analysis
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are third in the AFC South with a 2-6 record on the season. The Texans’ only two wins this season are against their division rivals, the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, they played competitively against the Tennessee Titans and the Pittsburgh Steelers this season, who are two of the best teams in the NFL. They will take on the Cleveland Browns on the road next week.

Deshaun Watson is really the only thing keeping this team alive on offense outside of their other tremendous skill players. Even though the Texans pass the ball near the bottom of the league comparatively, Deshaun Watson still averages 280 yards per game and two passing touchdowns, which both ranks top ten in the league. Last week, he put up almost exactly that with 281 yards and touchdowns while running 10 times for 50 yards. Even though Jacksonville gave them a scare behind Jake Luton, the Texans held on to win.

Their starting running back, David Johnson, suffered a concussion last week against the Jaguars that may keep him out next game. Even though the Texans have one of the worst run-blocking lines in the league, David Johnson is still averaging 4.0 yards per carry and is top 20 in the league in yards. Last week, backup Duke Johnson put up 41 yards off of 16 carries for one rushing touchdown along with four receptions for 32 yards. He will be key against the Browns’ rushing defense that is near the top ten for yards allowed to running backs with 106 yards per game.

The Texans’ defense withholds one of the worst defensive DVOA ratings in the league with a 9.7% value that places them at 28th in the league in that category. Zach Cunningham and J.J Watt are the only two members giving them hope on defense. Cunningham is seventh in the league in total tackles with 78, while Watt has put up four sacks on the year. They will need to focus their energy on the run game to try to keep the Browns out of the endzone.

The Texans are heading in the right direction after relieving Bill O’Brien of his duties weeks ago. However, their offensive line has been a huge issue this season, allowing the mobile Deshaun Watson to be sacked 24 times this season. Not to mention, their defense has been playing subpar for them this year too. They will catch a break without Odell Beckham Jr. playing against them next week, but the presence of Nick Chubb will certainly be tough to handle. They will need to control the run game on defense while attacking the passing game on offense in a quick manner against the Browns’ extremely efficient defensive line.

Houston Texans Depth Chart
QB: Deshaun Watson
RB1: David Johnson
RB2: Duke Johnson
WR1: Will Fuller
WR2: Brandin Cooks
WR3: Randall Cobb
TE: Darren Fells

Houston Texans Links
Texans Depth Chart
Texans Roster
Texans Stats
Texans Snaps
Texans Injuries
Texans Schedule

Betting Corner Browns -3
Spread: +/- 3
Moneyline: Browns -165, Texans +145
Over/Under: 54

Prediction
Spread: Browns -3
Moneyline: Browns -165
Over/Under: u54

The Cleveland Browns have been exceeding their expectations this season with a 5-3 record, and they could seriously use this win to stay in the hunt for the playoffs. The Browns are in a difficult division, and the Texans offer them an easier game to take a win from. I would take the Browns in this one for the spread and the money line.

While both of these teams possess solid skill players who can score the ball effectively, the Browns’ insistence on running the ball makes me point towards the under in this game. Especially if they control the Texans’ offense, this should not be a high scoring game.

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Love/Hate Fantasy Picks
Love
Duke Johnson
Duke Johnson has not seen much fantasy action this season, but if David Johnson cannot play this week, I love Duke as a waiver wire RB2 streamer. Last week he put up 15.3 fantasy points without David in the backfield. Even though the Browns have a solid defense against the run, he will be important to their offense to try to grab a win. Johnson is a solid RB2 streamer or flex option for week ten.

Hate
Will Fuller
Will Fuller has been unbelievable this season, averaging 16.4 fantasy points per week and has gotten in the endzone each game in the last six games. There really aren’t any fantasy players I hate this week because both defenses are not great. But, Fuller’s matchup with Denzel Ward could be troublesome to his numbers, considering the Browns will probably also get to Deshaun Watson a lot during the game. Fuller will probably still be a great and inevitable fantasy starter but just may not exceed his expectations. [/quote]

https://www.lineups.com/articles/clevela...m-watch-online/

Thanks for the info. In terms of fantasy ... gosh, I’d play Fuller or Cooks if I played this weekend ... they could get loose overtop with our safeties

Good keys to the game. Hope we bring more pressure on defense. Good game to play that a bit more aggressively. Running outside can help us. Driving the ball on the ground can really help us by giving them less time and opportunity. We need get points!

Romeo!

Various takes from media outlets across the land:

The Texans are one of the teams we've historically had trouble with. We are 3-7 lifetime against them. When we play a team that we've had trouble with we usually lose. The Broncos, Vikings Chargers and Lions also come to mind. I don't know why but it seems to be the case. Baltimore is another but that is understandable because they are usually very good. Pittsburgh the same. We need a win badly on Sunday to stay in the playoff race I hope we get one!!

To be Fair.... we've historically had trouble with every team because we've historically been very bad against every team. Those teams are not these teams; that's all that matters.

We have a history of making the easy games look like hard wins, if we do manage to pull out a win. I think this should be us all day, going away. If we manage to pull it out, I expect a nail biter.

Yeah, we rarely make anything look easy. Even the games where we blow the opponent out, we only do it at the outset and then we let them back in the game and nearly give it away to them.

Funny and sad at the same time.

Granted, the Texans have only been in the league since 2002 and we really haven't had any good teams in that time frame. However, we have had trouble beating the Lions since we came into the league in 1950. We've had trouble beating the Vikings when they came into the league in 1961. We had good teams in the 50's and 60's and still had trouble beating them. When the leagues merged in 1970 we had problems with the Broncos and Chargers and we had some good teams in the early 70's and mid to late 80's. Our lifetime record against Detroit and Denver is especially bad no matter how good or bad a team we had.

no reason Browns should lose this game...

Texans defense is trash... they are awful against the run and their secondary sucks.... they will have Roby back this week who is probably their best DB... they are good on offense but typically hot and cold... Deshaun is good but the OL is not good and Watson holds the ball too long... they have some playmakers mainly at WR... I'd expect them to put points up... but we should win this game...

I'm not feeling good about this game. I feel like we are in one of those transitional phases where other teams have exposed our defense for what it is and our offense really sputtered in the Raiders game. Hope I'm wrong, but that's just how I feel.

At the same time, I feel like the Texans are not as bad as their record indicates, and Watson is a dynamic QB that we typically struggle with.

Chubb’s back, we’ll be running the rock.

Houston, you have a problem.

I'm with you.

If weather is a factor, I hope we can successfully employ our game plan that we utilized against the Bengals: Chubb, Chubb, more Chubb, Hunt.

The difference this time is that the Texans will likely expect that and give us 8-in-the-box looks. If we have to throw, I hope Baker rises up and I hope our receivers don't let him down like they did the last game.

If I was Huston , I would do what every other team has done --- Use the middle of the field , pass or run. Watson could run wild.

I think that this will be the first year in I don't know how long where coming out of the bye will actually help us. I think we will get healthier across the roster and will come out a little more focused and invigorated. I don't think we'll look quite as helpless as we did vs Raiders.

To clarify for others, I know you were talking about the first Bengal game because Chubb did not even play in the second game.

Things could change, but the weather doesn't look to be nearly as bad as the Raider game. Temps in the upper 50s. Chance of rain 50% at kickoff and decreasing as the day wears on. Down to 28% in the 4th quarter. Winds from 22 to 25 mph.

Teams don't mind throwing in the rain. It's the wind that causes havoc. It looks like the wind will be a factor, but not a huge factor.

I agree w/you that the Texans will load the box and try to stop the run. Combine that w/Houston's secondary being trash and I think our passing game must take advantage of the situation.

I also don't think Houston's OL can push our DL around. They stink, too. We should win this game unless Watson goes off and we turn the ball over multiple times.

Oh, here is a link for the weather forecast: http://nflweather.com/en/game/2020/week-10/texans-at-browns

Glad to see you posting.
Question how good due you think this offensive line gets 1 year
from now.

The Browns OL? I think we already have one of very best OLs in football right now. We should be even better next year as Wills matures.

Thanks for clarifying Vers. You are correct. I meant the first Bengals game. Can't believe we've played them twice already.

Excellent Thread, Like the Raiders Game it will be difficult to throw the deep ball with accuracy if the weather is what they say. Ball control with our running game and utilizing our TE's to have time of posession advantage will be a huge key. I want to keep Watson on the sidelines as much as possible. This game aint gonna be pretty but we need to win like this if we are gonna be a good team. Special teams will have to make a play this week. I see this as a close game, turnovers will determine this game.

Yes and the D will have to make a stop or 2 unlike the Raiders game.

Agree, I am glad we will be as healthy and have more players available. I think we were pretty thin on the rotations in that game especially at DT. If David Johnson is out then we just have to focus on Duke. I like Duke but at about 205 he isnt the move the pile kinda guy like the raiders RB's did.

I was surprised to see how little teams are stacking the box against us on run plays. Before his injury Nick Chubb faced an eight man (or more) box 24.56% of the time (11th in the league) and Kareem Hunt has only faced an eight man (or more) box 19.13% of the time (28th in the league).

https://nextgenstats.nfl.com/stats/rushing#percent-eight-defenders

I'm betting teams will be more willing to stack the box now that OBJ is out (I would throw out the Raider game because of the weather) but they weren't really doing it all that much before this game.

I’d expect it this weekend as well ... the forecast looks every bit as bad as the Raiders game