CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Never judge a book by its cover.
The Houston Texans might be 2-6, but their offense, led by quarterback Deshaun Watson, is downright scary.
“He is very dangerous,” Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods said Thursday. “I haven’t slept very much this week.”
Woods has the unenviable task of trying to slow up Watson and a Texans passing attack that ranks sixth overall, fifth in explosive plays of 20 or more yards and second in yards per catch this season.
They are the only team that averages 12.5 yards per reception and have 2,000 yards receiving.
Receivers Brandin Cooks and Will Fuller have been dynamic.
Cooks is tied for fourth in the AFC and ninth in the NFL with nine catches of 20-plus yards and Fuller is sixth in the conference and 15th in the league with eight. They’ve combined for 112 catches, 1,100 yards and nine touchdowns between them.
“You’ve got to be really sound in what you’re doing,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said.
Seven players have caught touchdowns and Watson has thrown 17 of them through eight games.
That is not good news for a Browns secondary that outside of Denzel Ward has struggled this season. Cleveland ranks 24th allowing nearly 265 yards per game through the air.
“When you look at them from the quarterback position to the wide receiver position, they really have some matchups that create some problems,” Woods said. “They are able to stretch the field vertically; they’re good underneath – Cooks, Cobb – run after the catch.”
It’s not just Watson’s arm or his receivers Woods and the Browns have to concern themselves with. His feet are also a problem. He’s averaging 4.9 yards per carry.
“When you do everything right, then you gotta chase him down which creates another problem,” Woods said. “He’s playing at a high level.”
Stefanski has had to get creative this week in practice to help his defense prepare for dealing with Watson’s elusiveness.
“With a guy like him you’re never going to fully simulate it,” Stefanski said. “You do make the quarterback, the scout team quarterback, you make him extend the play even when in reality he’s sacked you have him keep playing so the guys get used to this down is going to go on longer than you anticipate therefore you have to cover much longer than you may anticipate.”
