Browns scouting report: Houston Texans
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is an analyst the Cleveland Browns for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Browns v. Houston Texans
Sunday, 1 p.m., in NRG Stadium; Houston, TX
Record: 8-6.
Last game: Defeated Tennessee Titans, 19-16, December 17, in Nashville, TN.
Coach: DeMeco Ryans, 8-6, first year.
Series record: Texans lead, 7-6.
Last meeting: Browns won, 27-14, December 4, 2022, in Houston.
League rankings: Offense is 10th overall (22nd rushing, fifth passing), defense is 12th overall (sixth rushing, 24th passing) and turnover differential is plus-8.
Things to watch
1. The Texans lead the NFL with 16 players on injured reserve. Injuries have forced numerous changes on the offensive line. They’ve had three starting left tackles, three starting left guards, four starting centers and four starting right tackles. Yet they’re in the playoff hunt despite playing a rookie quarterback for their first 13 games. Those are some of the reasons DeMeco Ryans is a legit coach-of-the-year candidate.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud has run away with offensive rookie-of-the-year honors, though he may miss a second game in a row with a concussion.
2. C.J. Stroud was on pace to become the first rookie quarterback to lead the league in passing yards until he suffered a concussion when his head bounced off the MetLife Stadium turf after a hit by Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams on December 10. Veteran Case Keenum replaced Stroud last week and led a clutch divisional victory over Tennessee. Stroud has not passed through protocol. Keenum was a surprise choice over Davis Mills last week and would start Sunday if Stroud is not ready.
3. Keenum was without the team’s top two receivers. WR1 Nico Collins missed with a calf injury and WR2 Tank Dell was lost for the year with a serious ankle injury on December 3. Dell was having a great rookie year (47 catches, 709 yards, 7 TD). Collins may be back for Sunday’s game.
4. Ryans’ defense has been great against the run, allowing only 73 rushing yards over the past nine games. Its strength is in the front seven, particularly starting tackles Maliek Collins and Sheldon Rankins.
5. Edge rusher Will Anderson, the third overall pick of the 2023 draft, missed last week with a high ankle sprain. He has five sacks and 42 tackles in his rookie season. Ex-Eagles Derek Barnett filled in and had a sack and two TFLs. The player who’s benefitted from Anderson’s arrival is the other edge rusher, Jonathan Greenard. The 2020 third-round pick is having a career year in his contract year. He's right behind Myles Garrett with 12.5 sacks, including 5.5 over his last three games.
Did you know … ?
1. The Texans received three first-round draft picks and three other picks in the middle rounds from the Browns in the 2022 mega-deal for quarterback Deshaun Watson. The Texans dealt some of those picks for more picks. So far, their assets from all those moves are: Guard Kenyon Green (injured reserve), receiver John Metchie, linebacker Christian Harris, running back Dameon Pierce, defensive end Will Anderson, receiver Tank Dell, receiver Xavier Hutchinson, and safety Brandon Hill (practice squad). Still to come: first- and fourth-round picks in 2024.
2. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik Jr. is the son of 1999 Browns defensive coordinator Bob Slowik. The son was following his dad’s footsteps as a defensive coach until 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan moved him to offense in 2019. Slowik, 36, is now considered a hot head coach candidate because of his work in developing Stroud.
3. Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2023 draft, has a lock on the offensive rookie-of-the-year award. He ranks sixth in passing yards (3,631) and fifth in passer rating (98.7). He has 20 TDs v. 5 INTs. The Texans won every game he threw an interception, including one in which he had 3 picks.
4. The Texans are tied with Jacksonville and Indianapolis with 8-6 records, but they are third based on division tie-breakers. They finish their schedule with huge games against division rivals Tennessee and Indianapolis.
Small world: Quarterback Case Keenum was 2-0 as a starter for the Browns in 2020 and 2021 … Cornerback Tavierre Thomas played for the Browns in 2018-20 … Defensive pass game coordinator Cory Undlin and linebackers coach Chris Kiffin previously coached with the Browns … GM Nick Caserio is from Lyndhurst and attended John Carroll University … Special teams coordinator Frank Ross attended John Carroll … Pass game coordinator Ben McDaniels is from Canton.
