Rookie QB C.J. Stroud wrapped up the offensive rookie-of-the-year award with a clutch victory over Indianapolis Saturday to effectively punch the Texans' playoff ticket. He didn't play in the first meeting with the Browns on Christmas Eve.
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
Saturday 4:30 p.m., in NRG Stadium; Houston, TX
Record: 10-7.
Last game: Defeated Indianapolis Colts, 23-19, January 6, in Indianapolis.
Coach: DeMeco Ryans, 10-7, first year.
Series record: Tied, 7-7.
Last meeting: Browns won, 36-22, December 24 in Houston.
League rankings: Offense is 12th overall (22nd rushing, seventh passing), defense is 12th overall (sixth rushing, 23rd passing) and turnover differential is plus-10.
Things to watch
1. The biggest difference in this team from Christmas Eve, of course, is the return of quarterback C.J. Stroud, the offensive rookie-of-the-year front-runner. In two games back from a concussion, Stroud has completed 76 percent of his passes and picked right up on taking care of the ball with good decisions. His 23-to-5 TD-to-interception ratio is the best in the NFL and his 100.8 passer rating is sixth – tremendous achievements for a rookie QB. He had a three-interception game this season and still won.
2. The Texans’ defense applied no pressure on Joe Flacco in the first meeting, and they paid dearly for it. It appears DeMeco Ryans will have to manufacture a pass rush without his top two edge rushers. Jonathan Greenard, their leading sacker with 12.5, suffered a high ankle sprain early in the Browns game and has not played since. Rookie Will Anderson (seven sacks) did not play against the Browns, had two sacks in his next game, but labored through the Colts game with an ankle injury and will be limited this week. Replacements are a couple of vets, Derek Barnett and Jerry Hughes.
3. Like the Browns, the Texans don’t normally use their best cornerback to shadow the opponent’s best receiver. But they might consider anything to contain Amari Cooper, who went wild with 265 yards receiving and two TDs on Christmas Eve. Derek Stingley Jr. and Steven Nelson were beat all day by Flacco and Cooper. A large reason why is the Texans are down to their fourth and fifth safeties and neither helps much in coverage.
4. Defrocked starting running back Dameon Pierce has taken over the kick return role after his 98-yard return for a TD against the Browns. That’s the play that triggered the hamstring injury to kicker Dustin Hopkins, who’s still out for the Browns. Pierce added a return of 30 yards against the Colts and has given their good special teams a lift.
Did you know …?
1. Much like at Ohio State, Stroud seldom runs with the ball. That drew criticism at OSU. But in the NFL, he’s praised for buying time to make plays with his arm rather than with his legs. Stroud has run 39 times for 167 yards, averaging about 2.5 runs per game.
Nico Collins' chemistry with C.J. Stroud proves that Michigan and Ohio State players can make great music together on the football field.
2. No. 1 receiver Nico Collins had a quiet game on Christmas Eve (four catches, 18 yards, 1 TD), but the Browns won’t sleep on him. Collins was hampered by Stroud being out in the first meeting. Also, Collins is on a roll. He made two huge plays against Indianapolis among his 9-catch, 195-yard game, including a 75-yard TD on the first play and a clutch, comeback grab of a Stroud desperation pass for a game-clinching first down. Collins finished the regular season with 80 catches, 1,297 yards and 8 TD. Two days later, Collins watched his alma mater, Michigan, win the CFP championship on the Texans’ NRG Stadium field.
3. Stroud (Ohio State) and Collins (Michigan) have had terrific on-field chemistry in their first year together, despite being bitter college rivals. Stroud explained, “Me and Nico, we have a truce. He never beat us [Ohio State] and I never beat them [Michigan]. So we don’t really talk about it much.”
4. The Texans’ 14 giveaways are the fewest in the league and their plus-10 turnover differential is tied for third.
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.
