Can the Browns’ defense show it can travel well before the post-season?
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
HOUSTON, TX
Four downs on Browns (9-5) v. Houston Texans (8-6)
First down: Travel safely.
There have been a lot of questions about why the Browns’ No. 1 defense does not travel well. I haven’t heard any good answers. I do believe things change in Houston. Myles Garrett and the pass rush will benefit from a smooth carpet in NRG Stadium and a Texans’ offensive line that has been disrupted by injuries all season. I expect tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, in particular, to take advantage. Also, cornerback Denzel Ward should be back to nearly 100 percent after missing three games with a shoulder injury and then easing back on a pitch count last week. Ward’s every-down presence should normalize tighter coverage and shut down some of Case Keenum’s dink-and-dunk options. Another player benefitting from a fast surface will be linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. He has been sensational the past three games and has earned the right to stay on the field for all downs, per defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
Second down: Case study.
The Browns caught a big break by bypassing C.J. Stroud, who is out a second game in a row with a concussion. Stroud was second in the NFL in pass plays of 20 or more yards and was well on his way to breaking every Houston passing record for a rookie quarterback, many of which were held by Deshaun Watson. Keenum is no stranger to the Browns, of course, having served as Baker Mayfield’s backup for Kevin Stefanski in 2020 and 2021 and for Stefanski in Minnesota in 2017, when he took the Vikings to the playoffs before losing to Schwartz’s Philadelphia defense in the NFC Championship Game. Keenum does hold a special place in Browns expansion history. He is the only one of 37 Browns quarterbacks to start a game since 1999 and not suffer a loss. He is 2-0. At 36, he’s like an aging MLB pitcher who can’t hit 90mph but wins with slop and moxie. “A true vet that has seen everything. Very accurate passer,” Schwartz said. “Case Kennum is a winner. So we’re going to have to play our very best against him. Our guys know him a little bit, some of his strengths and his weaknesses.
Marquise Goodwin's speed + Joe Flacco's arm could result in more big plays for the Browns before they enter the playoffs. (Cleveland Browns)
Third down: Flacco Fever – there is no cure.
In Joe Flacco’s three starts, the Browns have averaged 23.3 points. His passing yards totals have increased each game: 254, 311, 374. He has thrown seven touchdowns and five interceptions and also lost a fumble on a strip-sack. Not Hall of Fame stuff, to be sure. Yet his impact in the locker room and fan base has been enormous. Elijah Moore and David Njoku have have had their best games for the Browns with Flacco at quarterback. Amari Cooper said he’s been invigorated by Flacco’s arrival “because he throws such an easy ball to catch.” Marquise Goodwin had his longest play – and the second-longest of the Browns’ season – with Flacco delivering the ball. It was only Goodwin’s fourth reception of the year. “Even if you’re not completing a ton of balls to him, I think if we can get him going, in some ways it’ll have a good effect on this offense,” Flacco said. So there’s much room for improvement as Flacco heads into his final three regular-season games. More balls to Goodwin and fewer turnovers are a start.
Fourth down: Two coaching gems.
Part of the reason Stefanski and Texans coach DeMeco Ryans are neck-and-neck contenders for coach-of-the-year honors is their ability to keep their teams focused and winning through the longest rash of injuries in the NFL. The Texans lead the NFL with 16 players on injured reserve. Their key contributors out for the season include guard Kenyon Green, center Jarrett Patterson, safeties Eric Murray and M.J. Stewart, and receiver Tank Dell. They’ll also be without their top two draft picks this year – Stroud and edge rusher Will Anderson – and leading tackler linebacker Blake Cashman on Sunday. The Browns have 11 players on injured reserve. The key contributors are right tackles Jack Conklin and Dawand Jones, running back Nick Chubb, quarterback Deshaun Watson, safeties Grant Delpit and Rodney McLeod, defensive tackle Maurice Hurst and offensive tackle Jedrick Wills. They’ll be without free safety Juan Thornhill, linebacker Anthony Walker and edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo on Monday. The NFL season is a war of attrition and both teams are hanging in there because of their coaches.
The pick: Browns 23, Texans 13.
My record: 9-5.
