3 matchups the Browns must win to advance to the divisional round of the NFL playoffs

The second season is upon us. The Cleveland Browns will head down to Houston to take on the Texans in the kickoff to super wildcard weekend on Saturday. Even though these two teams met less than three weeks ago, this will feel like a fresh matchup in many respects.

The major difference between their Christmas Eve matchup and this upcoming Saturday’s will be in the inclusion of Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. Even with the retur of the presumed offensive rookie of the year, the Browns objective remains the same; survive and advance. Here are three matchups the Browns must exploit to advance to the divisional round.

3 Matchups the Browns must dominate to beat the Texans and advance to the divisional round

Matchup No. 3: Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith vs Laremy Tunsil and ?

There's no secret how the Browns defense will attack the Texans offense. It's the same plan that Jim Schwartz utilizes week in and week out. The Browns are going to pressure C.J. Stroud relentlessly and play sticky coverage on the backend.

After receiving a week off, Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith are as fresh as they have been all season. Now, with everything on the line, expect the veteran quarterback harassers to welcome the rookie quarterback to playoff football. Given the difference between Stroud’s success as a rookie when pressured and when kept clean, there will be an even greater emphasis than usual on Cleveland's pass rush to get home.

For the Texans, that means that Laremy Tunsil will draw his usual Myles Garett matchup. Tunsil typically matches up as well as anyone in the league with Garrett. It remains to be seen if the added rest will give Garrett any extra juice on Saturday.

However, on the opposite side of the line, there could be a ‘by committee’ approach over at their right tackle position. Charlie Heck is their presumed starter but given how Za’Darius Smith abused the Texans tackle on Christmas Eve, it's not out of the realm of possibility that George Fant draws the assignment. Smith obliterated Heck less than three weeks ago, registering two sacks, two tackles for loss, and four quarterback hits.

Matchup No. 2: Amari Cooper vs Derek Stingley Jr.

There's no other way to say it. Amari Cooper absolutely torched the Texans secondary on Christmas Eve. Cooper caught 11 passes for a Browns franchise single-game record of 265 yards and two touchdowns.

Cooper did injure his heel during his best game as a member of the Browns but has been afforded significant time to rest the injury. It should also be noted that the injury happened in game and did not stop the Pro Bowl receiver from continuing to do damage. So now, a presumably healthy Cooper looks to take aim at the Texans secondary in the wildcard round of the playoffs.

It is almost impossible to imagine that the Texans are just content to run it back with their secondary against Cooper. The difference in approach will most likely be multifaceted. From implementing bracket coverage, dedicating a safety to shade over the top of wherever Cooper lines up, to allowing the Texans best coverage corner, Derek Stingley, to travel.

It should be all hands on deck in the Texans attempt to slow down Cleveland’s most dangerous receiving threat. If the Texans allow Stingley to travel on Saturday, it would be a break from who they have been all season. But desperate times call for desperate measures.

Matchup No. 1: Martin Emerson Jr. vs Nico Collins

Just how the Texans defense needs to key in on Amari Cooper, the Browns defense must account for Houston’s Nico Collins. The third-year pro was a non-factor in the team’s Christmas Eve matchup, but that is more indicative of who was playing quarterback for the Texans than it was of Collins’ abilities. But now with Stroud under center, the Browns need to have a plan for limiting Collins ability to take over games.

Look no further than the Texans regular season finale on the type of damage that Collins is capable of inflicting on opposing defenses. Collins caught all nine of his targets for a robust 195 yards in the Texans win and get in 17th game of the season. Bottom line, when the Texans have to make a play, Stroud leans heavily on Collins’ playmaking ability.

How will the Browns look to combat Collins on Saturday? Two words; Martin Emerson. The second-year corner, who was egregiously snubbed for his first Pro Bowl nomination, is more than capable of locking up Collins.

Emerson possesses the necessary length to combat the 6-foot-4 Collins, and the strength to get him off his spot at the line of scrimmage. With Denzel Ward getting nicked up at practice on Thursday, the Browns should lean heavily on Emerson’s particular set of skills to help neutralize Collins. Even if Ward can go on Saturday, by all indications he should be, the Browns would be wise to leave the Collins’ matchup in Emerson’s more than capable hands.

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