The Houston Texans need a win over the Cleveland Browns to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Browns are one of the NFL's biggest surprises. The Texans have been disappointing with their slow start. DeMeco Ryans and his team have won three of their last four games to salvage the season.
The pressure doesn’t dissipate with the recent wins. It ratchets up, especially with injuries hitting the Texans.
They’ll play this one without three key players.
Danielle Hunter Out - Jadeveon Clowney In
Danielle Hunter misses his first game since 2021. Hunter injured his hamstring in practice this week. Jadeveon Clowney has been an excellent depth piece. He’s a force in the run game and the pass game. He’s one of the best backups in the league. Dominique Robinson and Logan Hall will also provide depth with Hunter out.
Azeez Al-Shaair Out - Jake Hansen In
Azeez Al-Shaair plays a style of football that makes it difficult to stay healthy. The bye week was a nice reprieve, but he was immediately banged up after one game. Al-Shaair will likely be a mainstay on the injury report. Jake Hansen played well in fill-in duty earlier this year. He turned in one of his best games as a professional against the Dallas Cowboys. Hansen can handle Henry To’oTo’o’s duties while To’oTo’o is playing the role of Al-Shaair. Jake Hummel was added from injured reserve and provides depth at the position.
Keylan Rutledge Out - Febechi Nwaiwu In
While Al-Shaair and Hunter are replaced by veterans, Keylan Rutledge’s replacement is another rookie. Febechi Nwaiwu will get the opportunity in his NFL debut to showcase why the Texans added him to an already crowded offensive line room. Nwaiwu wasn’t a standout in training camp or the preseason. He’s getting the opportunity because veteran guard Wyatt Teller has been disappointing. I’m excited to see what Nwaiwu can do, but expectations should be tempered. It’s a nasty interior defensive line for the rookie to deal with in this one.
Add in that Will Anderson Jr. has an ankle injury, and the Texans are in a tough spot.
In this tough spot, the Texans still have C.J. Stroud.
Their quarterback is playing at a level that will give them a chance to compete with anyone. Stroud is locked in. He has managed pressure exceptionally. The offensive integration of the various wideouts has arrived. Stroud hasn’t put the ball in harm’s way.
It’s a legacy-creating season already. This game, with its unique challenges, can be one of the best moments of Stroud’s season. The Texans might need him. Cleveland may be vulnerable to opposing rushing attacks, but Stroud is how this team moves the ball and scores. Lean on him, add to the legacy, and leave Cleveland with a win.
One Player to Watch
Rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston is a difference maker for the Cleveland Browns. Admittedly, I wasn’t the biggest fan in the draft. I got that one wrong. Boston has been fantastic. He is the rookie receiving leader. He is also an outside presence that Browns head coach Todd Monken didn’t have when he called offense in Baltimore. The Texans have given up plenty of explosives. Boston must be contained if the Texans want to win.
One Matchup to Watch
The Texans must terrorize the Browns’ tackles. Former Houston Texan Tytus Howard has not been excellent. As Cleveland’s right tackle, he is the NFL’s most penalized player. He’s been charged with more sacks than all of last season. He’s allowed almost as much pressure as last year. A hobbled Will Anderson Jr. needs to attack and exploit Howard as much as possible. Spencer Fano, Cleveland’s rookie tackle opposite Howard, hasn’t been amazing. Fano has allowed more sacks and pressures than even Howard. He has a lot of potential, but there are some growing pains playing left tackle as a rookie.
One Stat to Watch
Deshaun Watson has led a game-winning drive in all five Cleveland Browns wins. They have scored last in the fourth quarter in all five victories. Watson isn’t the dynamic force he used to be, but he has been clutch. The Browns have won plenty of close games this year, and their offense has been enough. If Cleveland can ugly this game up and give Watson a chance late, they can steal a win. Don’t let Watson get the ball when it is close late. You might not like the result.
Score Prediction
The Houston Texans win 20-10. Houston might be short-handed, but they have enough to pull this one out. C.J. Stroud is playing his best football. If offensive coordinator Nick Caley continues to empower Stroud, the Texans have enough firepower to score on the Browns. The short-handed defense needs to be better than it was last week against the Los Angeles Chargers. If the Browns hang around, Deshaun Watson and Cleveland’s playmakers can make you pay. Escape Cleveland with a win and get ready for a short-week matchup with the Indianapolis Colts.
I’m not so confident today, with the injuries ….being on the road …..Cleveland losing three in a row and coming home…… a little bit different weather…… a nasty fan base in the stands…… And the pressure on them that they must win every time they were in a serious pressure situation last year Starting in the playoffs, they have not really answered the bell consistently, And even you and Landry, both agreed that the Texans can lose to a bad team any day of the week as well as when so I’m gonna be a little bit nervous watching this because I know what’s at stake.
I think it’s gonna be a lot higher scoring game than that. Especially with our bangged up defense. We need to put up at least 28. Texans 31-17