Cleveland Browns vs. Texans: Predictions on Baker Mayfield’s return to Texas
By Randy Gurzi
Writer: Martin McConnell
The Houston Texans are no joke. At 8-3, they currently lead the AFC South and just dominated divisional rival Tennessee Titans on Monday Night Football. Deshaun Watson has bounced back from his injury and is one of the league’s premier quarterbacks in the league right now. He has led the Texans to eight straight wins and has Houston staring down the barrel of a playoff berth. This game is incredibly important for the Texans as they move down the home stretch.
The Cleveland Browns are also, finally, no joke. At 4-6-1, they’ve won two straight, and although last in the AFC North, they just crushed divisional rival Cincinnati Bengals and former head coach Hue Jackson’s soul. Baker Mayfield is firmly set as the long-awaited quarterback of the future on the shores of Lake Erie, and has been balling out for the past two games. He has led the Browns to two straight wins and, although foggy and distant, there is a playoff path that exists for Cleveland. This game is incredibly important for the Browns as they move down the home stretch. Let’s break this one down.
On offense, the Browns are almost certainly going to have a harder time with the Texans than they’ve had with the Falcons and Bengals over the past month. With legitimate superstars like J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney both healthy on the defensive line for Houston, Baker Mayfield will have much less time than he’s had the past two games. Watt and Clowney are a duo of home-wreckers, and the Browns’ offensive line has a tall task ahead of them. The Browns should hope to attack over the middle of the field, zeroing in on the comparatively soft linebacking corps of the Texans.
Defensively, the Browns really should be sending every defender, including the kitchen sink, on every single play. The Texans’ offensive line is absolutely putrid, and it is easily their biggest weakness on either side of the ball. Despite Deshaun Watson’s mobility as a passer, he can only run away for so long. The terrifying trio of Myles Garrett, Emmanuel Ogbah, and Larry Ogunjobi should be able to have a field day in Houston’s backfield. Speaking of Houston’s backfield, the Browns should be keeping an eye on running back Lamar Miller, Houston’s most deceptively explosive weapon.
I think this one just comes down to the talent on the field. The way these teams mirror each other almost perfectly is a great indication of how this game will go. This one’s going to be close, but I don’t know if the Browns can keep their winning ways rolling at NRG Stadium this weekend.
Final Score: Houston 28, Browns 24