CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns kick off the home portion of their schedule Sunday against the Houston Texans.
After being able to host just 12,00 fans in 2020, the Browns are anxious to play in front of a packed house at FirstEnergy Stadium, where they went 6-2 in 2020, and to put last week’s 33-29 loss at Kansas City behind them.
Houston, who scored a Week 1 franchise-record 37 points last week, rolls into town fresh off a win, but it was against Jacksonville and just about everyone will probably beat the Jaguars this season.
What to watch for – Baker Mayfield was sensational in the season opener that saw the Browns roll up 457 yards of offense last week against Kansas City, but Mayfield’s interception with 1:09 remaining sealed their fate. No question Mayfield, who threw for 321 yards against the Chiefs, will look to atone with a big performance against the Texans. The Browns scored touchdowns on their first three possessions last week and all four scores came on the ground and were the result of drives of 75 or more yards.
With Odell Beckham still sidelined, Jarvis Landry aims to extend his consecutive games with at least two catches streak, which is the fourth longest streak in history at 111. Rookie Anthony Schwartz impressed in his debut last week that saw him handle many of Beckham’s scheduled reps and catch three passes for 69 yards and add a 17-yard run.
Running back Nick Chubb, who had a rare fumble last week against the Chiefs, has a rushing TD in seven straight games dating back to last season.
Chubb racked up 126 yards in last year’s 10-7 win over the Texans while fellow back Kareem Hunt added 109 yards.
A big afternoon for Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney could be in the offing. Although Clowney downplayed going up against the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2014, defensive line coach Chris Kiffin said Friday that they have a special Clowney play in the gameplan. Clowney got beat to his first sack as a Brown last week in Kansas City by Myles Garrett. Garrett will match up with Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil. The two squared off in college. Garrett recorded a half sack last year against Tunsil, who recently returned after being sidelined with COVID-19. Garrett had the virus last season with his sickness derailing a push to win league Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Browns safety Grant Delpit, selected in the second round of the 2020 Draft, is expected to make his NFL debut. He missed last season with a ruptured Achilles tendon and this year’s opener with a hamstring injury that limited him throughout training camp.
Browns special teams have been largely uninspiring under Mike Priefer, and they’ll need a premiere performance Sunday. Houston’s unit is considered the strength of their team. The Browns totaled 17 yards on a kickoff and punt return combined in Week 1 while the Texans had 64 yards on five combined returns. Punter Jamie Gillan dropped a snap and was tackled at the 15, which helped the Chiefs turn the tide in a game that was largely dominated by the Browns.
Houston’s defense is loaded with former Browns led by linebacker Christian Kirksey and cornerback Terrance Mitchell. The Texans had three interceptions last week which matched their total for 2020.
Texans quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who mentored Mayfield as a rookie with the Browns in 2018, is one of just five QBs since 2015 with at least 8,000 yards passing and 1,500 rushing. Taylor passed for 291 yards and two touchdowns last week in place of deactivated DeShaun Watson, who requested a trade and is dealing with sexual misconduct allegations off the field. Taylor was aided by an 84 yard and a touchdown performance from running back Mark Ingram and receiver Brandin Cooks caught a team-high five passes for 132 yards.
Last Week – Texans beat the Jaguars 37-21; Browns lost 33-29 to the Chiefs
The last time – Nov. 15, 2020: Browns beat the Texans 10-7.
Series history – Texans lead 7-4.
Rankings – Points per game: Texans 4 (37.0), Browns T-10 (29.0)
Total yards per game: Texans 3 (449.0), Browns 1 (457.0)
Rushing yards per game: Texans 4 (160.0), Browns 5 (153.0)
Passing yards per game: Texans 11 (289.0), Browns 10 (304.0)
Points allowed per game: Texans 14 (24.0), Browns T-24 (33.0)
Total defensive yards allowed per game: Texans 18 (395.0), Browns 19 (397.0)
Rushing yards allowed per game: Texans 11 (76.0), Browns 7 (73.0)
Passing yards allowed per game: Texans 25 (319.0), Browns 26 (324.0)
Turnover ratio: Texans T-1 (+3), Browns T-24 (-2)
Projected starters for Browns – Offense: WR Jarvis Landry, LT Blake Hance, LG Joel Bitonio, C JC Tretter, RG Wyatt Teller, RT Jack Conklin, TE Austin Hooper, WR Anthony Schwartz, QB Baker Mayfield, RB Nick Chubb, FB Andy Janovich
Defense: DE Myles Garrett, DT Malik Jackson, DT Malik McDowell, DE Jadeveon Clowney, WILL Mack Wilson, MIKE Malcolm Smith, SAM Sione Takitaki, CB Denzel Ward, CB Greg Newsome II, SS Ronnie Harrison Jr., FS John Johnson III
Injury report – OUT: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (knee), OT Chris Hubbard (triceps); QUESTIONABLE: LT Jedrick Wills (ankle), C J.C. Tretter (knee), CB Troy Hill (hamstring), WR Anthony Schwartz (knee), G Michael Dunn (back); EXPECTED TO PLAY: DT Tommy Togiai (illness), RT Jack Conklin (knee), S Grant Delpit (hamstring), CB Greg Newsome (biceps), LB Mack Wilson (quad), LB Anthony Walker (hamstring)
Uniforms – Brown jerseys, white pants
Broadcast – Radio: 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX and the University Hospitals Cleveland Browns radio network. TV: WOIO TV-19 (CBS)
Kickoff – 1:05 p.m., FirstEnergy Stadium; Cleveland, Ohio.
Our prediction – Browns 37, Texans 20
Our prediction record – 1-0
