(SportsRadio 610) -- When the Texans defensive coaches watch the Browns on film, running back Nick Chubb doesn’t show up as much because he’s been injured.
Chubb has not played since suffering a knee injury against the Cowboys in Week 4, but had rushed for over 100 yards in the previous two games.
Since Chubb has been out, Kareem Hunt stepped in as the primary back for the Browns. Hunt’s workload has allowed him to become the 10th-leading rusher in the game.
“They’re two extremely dynamic players,” Texans defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said Thursday during a virtual press conference. “They’re both just very physical, downhill backs. They have good vision, speed. They run hungry. That’s what you like about them. They run hungry, they’re always falling forward.
“So it’s going to be a challenge for our defense, but a challenge obviously that we’ll accept. Three of our last four games, we’ve played pretty decent run defense and hopefully we continue that going into this game.”
Establishing a run threat allows Cleveland to boast one of the most effective play action attacks in football.
While the Browns are 16th in play action pass attempts, they’re sixth in play action passing yards.
“When you have a running game, linebackers have to honor the run on any run fake, so that sucks them to the line of scrimmage, which then creates space behind them in that middle area,” Texans interim head coach Romeo Crennel said Wednesday. “When you can suck those linebackers up and then get a crossing route in behind them or somebody to hook up behind them, then you can deliver the ball.
“You can make yards, get first downs and keep the sticks moving. I think the running game makes the play action.”
The Texans will have to set the edges up front, do their best to build the all in the middle and linebackers make tackles.
They go up against a Browns offensive line ranking third in pass blocking efficiency, according to Football Outsiders.
“Obviously it shows in their running game,” J.J. Watt said Wednesday of the Browns’ offensive line. “Their running backs are obviously great players, but the offensive line is doing a great job providing holes for them, giving time for Baker (Mayfield) time to throw the ball, so I think they’re doing a great job. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”