Countdown To Kickoff: Texans v. Browns

The Houston Texans have two wins, both against the Jacksonville Jaguars. No matter what’s happening or what’s going on, at least we can always rely on the Texans beating the Jaguars. Houston still has eight more games to play, and now it’s up to them to prove they can do something other than beat Jacksonville.

Today, the Texans get the Browns in Cleveland. This means the Texans will play a quarterback who can only roll right and left, can’t win from the pocket, struggles against pressure, and has problems getting past his first read. It means facing a vicious front four of Myles Garrett, Larry Ogunjobi, Sheldon Richardson, and Olivier Vernon. It means dealing with Denzel Ward, one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. It means trying to stop one of the best running attacks in the game, led by a dominant offensive line that’s mastered the outside zone scheme and running backs that are nearly impossible to take down.

At 2-6, Houston’s season is pretty much overt. At 5-3, the Browns are trying to hang in the playoff race and prove they aren’t phonies.

Enjoy today’s game in Cleveland. The first open thread will be published at 11:45 a.m. CST. Hang out here and hang in there until then.