The Houston Texans travel to Cleveland to take on the Cleveland Browns for a NFL Week 2 Sunday afternoon game.
The Texans are 1-0 after beating the Jacksonville Jaguars last week while the Browns are 0-1 after a disappointing loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In November 2020, without Odell Beckham Jr., the Browns narrowly beat Deshaun Watson‘s Texans by a score of 10-7.
Though both rosters look different in 2021, an upset is always possible.
Here are three ways the Texans can upset the Browns.
3. Generate Turnovers
The biggest reason the Browns lost to the Chiefs was because they had three costly turnovers.
Two put points on the board for the Chiefs, and the late-game interception thrown by Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield sealed the result.
The Texans need to win the turnover battle not just on offense.
Special teams was a vulnerable area for the Browns against the Chiefs.
In addition to poor decision-making by the punter and returner, the extra point kicks were not automatic.
Browns punt blocking on this play was excellent. He could have got that punt off still. Jamie Gillan just panicked.pic.twitter.com/G87L5cUdjZ
— Tim x opTIMus 🎮 (@timschuerger) September 12, 2021
once a punt is touched by the punting team the ball is dead. It cannot be advanced after that.
so no DPJ running to a loose punt on the 1 yard line surrounded by 4 chiefs players was not some big brained 4 chess move
It was bad and that’s why he didn’t return the next punt
— Quincy Carrier (@Kwen_C) September 16, 2021
2. Pressure Baker Mayfield
While the Browns have a stellar offensive line, there may already be injury issues that make them and Mayfield more vulnerable.
Specifically, left tackle Jedrick Wills left the Chiefs game on Sunday with an ankle injury.
His status is day-to-day.
Wills, drafted in the first-round by the Browns in 2020, has done a great job protecting Mayfield’s blind side.
He was missed almost immediately after leaving the game.
Mayfield’s only interception against the Chiefs was late in the game after Wills went out, and he was wrapped up by Chiefs defenders.
Center J.C. Tretter and offensive tackle Chris Hubbard also missed practice time this week.
The Browns are preparing rookie James Hudson III for a potential start as left tackle.
#Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said he doesn’t know who’ll be available Sunday at left tackle with Jedrick Wills Jr. and Chris Hubbard dealing with injuries, adding they’re getting rookie James Hudson III ready
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) September 16, 2021
1. Stop The Run
The running game is what lifted the Browns over the Texans last November.
Nick Chubb rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown.
Kareem Hunt added 104 yards.
This is a key for anyone who wants to beat the Browns.
The running game is what opens up the rest of the offense.
In addition to physically stopping the run attack, another way the Texans can stop the run is to jump out to a quick lead.
The Browns could then be forced to abandon the run game.
Conclusion
This game is not going to be the lopsided blowout that is being predicted.
The Texans played the Browns tough last year, and the game was also at FirstEnergy Stadium.
One benefit to this weekend’s game is that the Browns will have a stadium filled with fans for the first time in nearly two years.
Fans do make a difference.
#Browns Joe Woods said he's looking forward to having a full stadium of fans at FirstEnergy Stadium this Sunday: "I know this is a fan base that lives and dies by what happens on Sundays so we want to make them happy."
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) September 16, 2021
They played a part in the Browns’ troubles at Arrowhead Stadium.
The noise caused difficulty in getting the plays in as we saw Mayfield clutching his helmet trying to hear.
Browns fans did not see their team in person in 2020, and it was one of the most successful years the Browns had.
That crowd noise, including a year of pent up enthusiasm, will certainly play a part in the Browns’ efforts to secure a win over the Texans.
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