The long-awaited NFL playoffs have arrived, and to commence our 2024 playoff preview series, we delve into the action-packed world of the AFC. Our opening act features the Cleveland Browns, hitting the road to face the resilient Houston Texans. The Texans secured their wild-card berth with a crucial victory over the Colts in Week 18, and as fate would have it, that berth blossomed into a division title when the Jaguars stumbled against the Titans. Meanwhile, the Browns embarked on their playoff journey following a resounding 37-20 triumph over the New York Jets in Week 17.
This victory punched their playoff ticket and marked a significant milestone—the first time the Browns have achieved a double-digit winning record since 2020. The game is a rematch from the Week 16 matchup in Houston. Cleveland would cruise to a 36-22 victory. However, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud did not see action because of a concussion in Week 14 against the Jets.
Browns Scouting Report
No matter the hurdles they faced, the Browns managed to find their stride in the tumultuous 2023 season. They navigated through season-ending injuries to key figures like quarterback Deshaun Watson and star running back Nick Chubb. Stepping up to the plate, veteran QB Joe Flacco took the reins and, remarkably, led the charge. Under his guidance, Cleveland stayed firmly in the playoff hunt, boasting an impressive 4-1 record as Flacco’s arm delivered 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
Now, let’s dissect the Browns’ capabilities as a team. At the heart of their success lies a dominant defense that has struck fear into the hearts of opponents all season long. They stand tall as the number-one total defense, successfully stifling opposing aerial attacks as the top-ranked pass defense and maintaining a respectable 13th rank in points allowed. Defensive end Myles Garrett continued to wreak havoc on the field, amassing 14 sacks, 42 tackles, and a staggering 17 tackles for loss—a true force to be reckoned with.
But the Browns’ resilience doesn’t stop there. In the absence of Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford stepped into the spotlight and carried the rushing load with impressive finesse. He’s rushed for a notable 813 yards and notched four touchdowns, proving himself a worthy contributor.
In the passing game, wide receiver Amari Cooper has been outstanding, amassing a staggering 1,250 receiving yards during the season—ranking him 10th in the entire NFL. His remarkable performance derives from an impressive 128 targets and 72 receptions, averaging 83.3 receiving yards and 4.8 catches per game, along with five receiving touchdowns. Cooper’s presence on the field adds another layer of potency to the Browns’ offensive arsenal, making them a formidable contender in the upcoming playoff clash.
Texans Scouting Report
The Houston Texans have exceeded expectations for the 2023 season with a new head coach and quarterback. No one expected this football team to clinch a playoff berth and an AFC South title. The club finished the season with a 10-7 record and is recognized as a team that could emerge as the top player in the AFC for years to come.
Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud is far ahead of schedule as a passer at the next level. The former Ohio State Buckeye ranked eighth in the league with 4,108 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Stroud also worked with reliable options at wide receiver, such as rookie Nathaniel Dell, Nico Collins, and tight end Dalton Schultz.
Unfortunately, Dell was injured for the remainder of the season when he broke his left fibula while playing against the Denver Broncos, but Collins stepped up and produced. He caught 80 passes for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns. On defense, the unit is trending in the right direction. The unit closed out the season ranked sixth against the rush, 11th in points allowed, and 14th in total defense. Defensive end Jonathan Greenard led the Texans in sacks with 12.5.
Score Prediction
The team whose defense can stop the opposing quarterback will win Saturday’s game. Houston must respond better to what the Browns may do compared to what occurred in the Week 16 matchup. Browns receiver Amari Copper did whatever he pleased to the Houston secondary, ranked near the bottom of the league against the pass.
The former Dallas Cowboys caught 11 passes for a Browns-record 265 yards and two touchdowns. With Stroud’s presence under center, the Texans’ offense should look more efficient compared to what we saw in Week 16 when they only accounted for 283 yards of offense. However, the Browns’ defense is the better unit in Saturday’s matchup, which will lead to a victory over Houston. The unit has stifled quarterbacks all season, and I don’t expect that to end on Saturday.
Browns, 27, Texans 20
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