CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – With the playoffs in sight, the Browns travel to Houston for a Christmas eve matchup with the Texans.
Here’s what, and who we are watching for against Houston.
Joe Flacco has injected a battered a bruised Browns team with confidence and faith since he took over as the starting quarterback on December 3. Flacco, who has thrown for more yards in his first three starts than any other quarterback in franchise history, looks to lead Cleveland to a third consecutive victory. Flacco has turned it over six times, including five interceptions, in three games while tying Vinnie Testaverde’s team record with seven touchdowns.
The Browns record books could be rewritten Sunday. Amari Cooper is 15 yards shy of becoming the first receiver in franchise history with two 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Kicker Dustin Hopkins is six points shy of breaking Jim brown’s single season scoring record. Hopkins has already set franchise records this season for field goals made and successful kicks beyond 50 yards in a season.
Cleveland’s defense continues to lead the NFL in fewest yards allowed per game – 261.1 yards – the fewest by a Browns team since 1957, pass defense – 158.8 yards, third down percentage – 28.3%, fewest third down conversions allowed – 53 and the fewest first downs allowed – 194. That said, the Browns look to tighten up on the road where they are allowing an average of 345.3 yards and 30.0 points per game as opposed to the 197.9 yards and 13.1 points per game they give up at home. The Browns have allowed just six touchdowns in seven home games but 10 TDs in six road games hence their 7-1 mark at home and 2-4 record on the road.
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has gone sackless in four consecutive games, a career-long drought. Although Garrett brought down Trevor Lawrence on a two-point conversion late in Cleveland’s win over the Jaguars, it doesn’t count statistically. Garrett has slipped to from first to seventh league wide as he remains stuck on 13.0 sacks.
With veteran linebacker Anthony Walker sidelined following knee surgery, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah aims to keep his breakout season rolling. JOK had a sack, interception, two tackles for loss and two pass breakups in last week’s win over the Bears.
The Texans will be without three key contributors – rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, defensive end Will Anderson Jr. and linebacker Blake Cashman. Receiver Nico Collins is questionable. Collins has 808 yards and six receiving touchdowns in seven home games this season for the Texans.
Case Keenum won a pair of games for the Browns in 2021 and he is coming off a win for Houston last week that saw him complete 23 of 36 passes for 229 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Texans running back Devin Singletary is coming off a career performance that saw him rack up 170 total yards from scrimmage, the most for a Texans back since 2016.
Houston’s defense can apply pressure and create turnovers. Defensive end Jonathan Greenard had 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble last week. He looks for a sack in his fourth straight and to add to his career-high 12.5 sacks this season. Defensive tackle Malik Collins also looks for a sack in his third straight games. Corner Desmond King tallied 11 tackles last week, including two for loss, and his first sack of the season. Fellow cornerback Steven Nelson broke up a pair of passes and collected his fourth interception against the Titans.
Last week – Browns beat the Bears 20-17; Texans beat the Titans in OT 19-16
The last time – December 4, 2022: Browns 27, Texans 14
Series – Texans lead 7-6
By the numbers – A look at how the two teams match up statistically.
Browns offense vs. Texans defense:
Scoring: Browns 22.1, Texans 21.1
Total yards: Browns 330.0, Texans 332.6
Passing: Browns 206.3, Texans 239.1
Rushing: Browns 123.7, Texans 93.5
Browns defense vs. Texans offense:
Scoring: Browns 20.6, Texans 21.9
Total yards: Browns 261.1, Texans 353.7
Passing: Browns 158.9, Texans 253.4
Rushing: Browns 102.2, Texans 100.3
Defensive stats
Sacks: Browns 41, Texans 38
Takeaways: Browns 23, Texans 20
Turnover differential: Browns -7, Texans +8
Projected Browns starters – Offense: WR Amari Cooper, LT Geron Christian, LG Joel Bitonio, C Ethan Pocic, RG Wyatt Teller, RT James Hudson II, TE David Njoku, TE Harrison Bryant, WR Elijah Moore, QB Joe Flacco, RB Jerome Ford
Defense: DE Myles Garrett, DT Dalvin Tomlinson, DT Shelby Harris, DE Za’Darius Smith, LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB Sione Takitaki, LB Tony Fields, CB Denzel Ward, CB Martin Emerson Jr., SS D’Anthony Bell, FS Ronnie Hickman
Injury report – OUT: LB Anthony Walker (knee), LB Jordan Kunaszyk (calf), DE Ogbo Okoronkwo (pectoral), S Juan Thornhill (calf); QUESTIONABLE: LG Joel Bitonio (back, knee); EXPECTED TO PLAY: DE Myles Garrett (rest, shoulder), WR Amari Cooper (rest), TE David Njoku (rest, knee), RG Wyatt Teller (rest, ankle), QB Joe Flacco (calf), OT Geron Christian (shoulder), RB Jerome Ford (wrist), RB Kareem Hunt (groin), C Ethan Pocic (stinger), C Nick Harris (knee), CB Denzel Ward (shoulder)
Uniforms – Orange helmet, white jersey, orange pants
Broadcast info – Radio: 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX; TV: WOIO-TV-19 (CBS)
Kickoff – 1:03 p.m. NRG Stadium; Houston, Texas
Prediction – Browns 27, Texans 20
Our prediction record – 8-6
