Cleveland Browns vs. Texans: Predictions on Baker Mayfield’s return to Texas

Writer: Elliot Kennel

Game: Cleveland Browns (4-6-1) at Houston Texans (8-3)

Summary: This is a game between two very similar teams. They are both led by outstanding young quarterbacks, have a formidable running attack, and they have speed and sack potential on defense. Early in the year, the buzz was the Texans were in danger of becoming a perpetual loser, after a disastrous 2016 campaign punctuated by an injury to superstar quarterback DeShaun Watson.

Nevertheless, the Texans were only 3-3 with Watson and went a combined 1-9 between Tom “Doc” Savage and T. J. Yates. Thus after losing the first three games with Watson this season, his career record was only 3-6. As good as he is, it didn’t look like the team had enough. to win. Now, however, they have Jadeveon Clowney, a player sometimes compared to Myles Garrett, with 7 Sacks and 12 Tackles For Loss. Clowney, like Garrett, was the first overall pick in the NFL draft. However, the true sackmeister is J. J. Watt with 11.5 Sacks and 13 TFL on the year. The Defensive Line is nothing short of sensational, and that is probably the top reason for their success.

They also have gotten some big numbers from Lamar Miller, who has 773 yards rushing. Alfred Blue adds another 392 yards and DeShaun Watson adds another 345 yards. This is all while they still haven’t even gotten D’Onta Foreman back at running back, which highlights how impressive their ground game is.

That’s not good news for a team like the Browns who have struggled against the run this year. The Browns counter with Nick Chubb and Duke Johnson. Their season totals are not that impressive, but considering that they weren’t allowed to play early in the year, they might actually be pretty good.

Surprisingly, Houston has given up a few more passing yards that they have gotten from DeShaun Watson, 2602 for Watson, versus 2605 for their opponents. They may not be hitting on all cylinders, however, WR2 Will Fuller went on IR last week, and WR3 Keke Coutee is fighting a whammy of the hammy. The Browns on the other hand, have given up 3119 yards through the air–third worst in the NFL–but they are pulling down Interceptions. With 14 on the year, they are 3rd best in that department. It might also be added that Baker Mayfield is clearly getting better as the season goes on, so even though Watson looks a little better on paper, that might be pretty much even as well.

The Browns, surprisingly enough, may actually be deeper at wide receiver this week, especially if the Texans have to do battle without Fuller and Coutee. DeAndre Hopkins is the resident superstar, with already more than 1000 yards on the season. Demaryius Thomas will be counted on to step up for his new team, after being traded from Denver. Thomas hauled in two TD passes from Watson last week, rather good for an elderly gentleman.

This is going to be a game between two sky-high teams that have learned to believe in themselves. What could be more exciting than Baker Mayfield and DeShaun Watson in charge of the proceedings? It should be very close, with plenty of big plays on both offense and defense.

Prediction: Houston Texans 26, Cleveland Browns 25.