For some reason, like every week before, the Cleveland Browns (0-5) show up on our schedule once again. This time they’re traveling to NRG Stadium to take on the injury ravaged Houston Texans (2-3).
The game will be broadcast on your local CBS station at 1 p.m. EST. Watch it if you hate yourself.
The Game: Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans (-9)
O/U: 46.5
The History
The Browns and the Texans have played just eight games since 2002, with Houston holding a 5-3 advantage in the series.
The two teams last played on November 16, 2014 with the Texans winning 23-7 in Cleveland. Ryan Mallett threw for 211 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for Houston.
CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-5)
If you thought it would be a cold day in Hell before you saw Kevin Hogan start an NFL game, you should be pretty sure Hitler is wearing a parka right now because it’s happening. Hogan, the second year quarterback out of Stanford, takes over for ineffective rookie QB DeShone Kizer. What does that mean for the Browns in this game? I do not know.
Hogan was better than Kizer last week when the rookie was benched. He went 16 of 19 for 194 yards, two touchdowns and an interceptions and helped make the score respectable against the New York Jets. It was still a loss, but it was a loss that came with a potential thwarted comeback if you squint hard enough. Hogan is 6-3, 218 pounds and was solid quarterback for the Cardinal in his day. He completed 67.8 percent of his passes as a senior for 2,867 yards, 27 touchdowns and eight picks. As the guy that came after Andrew Luck, he had a big jock strap to fill. He didn’t do that, but he was decent enough to land in the NFL as a fifth round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016.
Hogan should have his full compliment of weapons in this one, though Kenny Britt may be limited. Sammie Coates was a full participant in practice all week and Hogan was able to move the ball against the Jets with Ricardo Louis and David Njoku last Sunday.
On defense, Jamie Collins is set for a return and that cannot be understated. Myles Garrett and Danny Shelton too should be on the field. If they are, this will be the first week Cleveland has all its best defensive players suited up.
HOUSTON TEXANS (2-3)
The Texans suffered a complete disaster in their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last Monday night. Both J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus were lost for the season and the impact of those two absences are going to be felt all year. I didn’t see this Texans team really competing for a playoff spot this year, even in the shitty AFC South, but now it seems far out of reach.
Still, with rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson under center, anything is possible. The offense has come to life under the first year signal caller and consistently scored points, even in losses. They put 34 on the Chiefs last week and the difference between the Kansas City and Cleveland defenses is cavernous. Watson threw for 261 yards and five touchdowns. It was his second consecutive game with five touchdowns after throwing four and running for one against Tennessee the week before. Let that sink in for a minute. The kid has been responsible for 60 points in the last two weeks.
With Watson actually scaring opposing defenses, running lanes have opened up for Lamar Miller and rookie D’onta Foreman. Miller had 74 yards on 15 carries last week with Foreman picking up 34 on just four hauls.
Will Fuller V’s return from injury has stretched the field and now Watson isn’t afraid to throw it up to him or DeAndre Hopkins.
What kind of defense is Houston going to field? Mercilus and Watt were two of their three best defensive players. Jadeveon Clowney will be there, but Brian Cushing is out on suspension so the Texans will have to field at least four guys (since Kevin Johnson is out too), that weren’t supposed to start this season. It will hurt them down the line, but not against Cleveland.
The Pick
The Browns will probably be better on offense with Hogan, but it won’t do any good. Watson is about to light this team up. This could be his third consecutive five touchdown week. Texans 38, Browns 20
Last week
Straight up: 6-8
Against the spread: 6-8
Season
Straight up: 43-34
Against the spread: 38-39
To make a wager on any sport, go to the world famous Diamond Sportsbook by clicking here.
