Browns at Texans: Score Prediction and Final Thoughts

The Texans have a tough opponent but a path to winning exists

The Texans don’t have to win this game. They aren’t mathematically eliminated or anything like that, but winning it sure would give some breathing room to the Texans in a crowded AFC Wild Card situation.

A win could see the Texans finish the day as high as the fourth seed in the AFC with the lead in the AFC South. A loss keeps them out of the playoff picture for another week.

This is the toughest challenge left on the schedule for the Texans. No only are the Browns the best team in the final three games, but they also boast the best opposing player in the final three games in Myles Garrett. Houston is again without C.J. Stroud as their quarterback turning to Case Keenum again.

I’m worried about Keenum’s potential performance. So many backup quarterbacks have done enough in one week to see their performance be bad the following week. Keenum threw some passes last week that should’ve been intercepted. I don’t believe he will be as lucky against the Browns.

He should be more prepared. More time to work into this short time as the starter should give him more at his disposal. Keenum seemed to knock the rust off as the game against Tennessee wore on, so there is hope he will start hotter than he did last week.

Scoring won’t be easy. Points will be at a premium for both teams. I believe the Browns have the best matchup advantage on the field when they have tight end David Njoku at their disposal. The Texans struggle to cover tight ends and he has been one of Joe Flacco’s favorites since the veteran took over the starting role in Cleveland.

Houston will see the return of Nico Collins. While he isn’t 100 percent, he makes it a little easier for everyone else to get open. Noah Brown could experience some more opportunities with Collins drawing attention.

I don’t want to simplify the game too much, but whichever team runs the ball better should win. Cleveland can’t throw short as well as some teams and the Texans need to stymie the pass rush and give the defense a rest.

If DeMeco Ryans and his team put together another gritty and tough performance on their way to another win, they will be setting themselves up nicely for the final weeks of the season.

Score Prediction

I believe the Browns will win 16-13. I don’t like the chances of either of these teams scoring too much. One mistake will sink most drives for each of these offenses. A turnover would be devastating to both teams as well. I believe Cleveland’s defense will be better than Houston’s defense. Flacco has a little more left to him than Keenum does, and the Texans have consistency issues on offense and defense. It’s a tough one, what else is new, but it doesn’t go down as a win for the Texans.

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