Browns 27, Texans 14
Forty-one points were scored in this game, and yet there was just one offensive touchdown. Furthermore, the Texans lost by double digits, yet were the better team for most of the afternoon. All of this overshadowed Deshaun Watson’s return to action from his 2-year absence.
Watson came into this game amid controversy, yet was the most unremarkable aspect of this matchup. He barely completed half of his passes, going 12-of-22 for 131 yards and an interception. The pick was terrible, as Watson didn’t see the Houston safety as he took a careless shot into the end zone. Watson also scrambled seven times, but for only 21 rushing yards. This was overshadowed by Watson’s dreadful accuracy, as Watson skipped passes to his receivers all afternoon.
So, how did Watson come to lead the Browns to 27 points? It was all done by his defense and special teams. The Browns scored their first touchdown on a kickoff return, and then they found the end zone the second time when Kyle Allen fumbled on a sneak out of his own end zone. Allen was also pick-sixed later in the game.
It was surprising that neither starting running back had a great rushing performance. Nick Chubb was limited to just 80 yards on 17 carries even though he had one run where he dragged the pile for 18 yards.
Dameon Pierce, meanwhile, was limited to 73 yards on 18 attempts. Speaking of Pierce, the Texans had a goal-to-go situation at the 1-yard line early in the game, yet failed to run Pierce on any of their four downs. Predictably, the Texans failed to score. Not running Pierce against the league’s worst run defense in such a crucial situation was a huge blunder. Pierce also should have been given the ball when Allen tried to sneak out of his own end zone.
Speaking of Allen, he was a miserable 20-of-39 for 201 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He gave the Browns 14 points, which is ideal, given Houston’s quest to clinch the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
With both quarterbacks playing poorly, the two receiving corps failed to achieve much. Amari Cooper reeled in just four of his nine targets for 40 yards, while Nico Collins hauled in just three of his 10 targets for 35 yards, but he at least scored a touchdown in garbage time.
