Browns Vs. Texans: Behind Enemy Lines

With the Cleveland Browns getting ready to kickoff against the Houston Texans, we went Behind Enemy Lines with Mark Lane of Texans Wire to learn some last-minute things about the opponent this week.

From the outside looking in, Houston looked like a trainwreck this offseason, what was it like from the inside though?

It’s still a trainwreck. The only people who don’t believe it’s a trainwreck are the players and coaches inside the building, and that is partly due to David Culley’s immense optimism and consistent approach in that area. I think having Mark Ingram as a lieutenant of his also is good at spreading the message. What will always make the 2021 season a potential disaster is the Deshaun Watson front. Anytime there is a three-time Pro Bowl quarterback just sitting on the bench, it’s an issue.

The Texans seemed balanced on offense in Week 1 but is it sustainable?

I don’t think so. Because if a team is able to present a decent pass rush, they should be able to knock Tyrod Taylor around, or at least chase him out of his throws and force him to consider scrambling. That is why the Browns present so much of a challenge. They have effective pass rushers. How much time is Taylor really going to have to throw the football? He was only sacked once against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Houston’s defense used to have a ton of big names, who are the cornerstones on that side of the ball?

Linebacker Zach Cunningham — he’s a tackling machine who led the NFL last year with 164. Safety Justin Reid is a vocal leader and a really bright player who has always had immense comprehension of the game going back to his rookie year. Defensive end Whitney Mercilus is also a guy that has been thrust into the fore as a leader. Although J.J. Watt is with the Arizona Cardinals, the leadership element is still there among the existing players.

There are a lot of former Browns playing for the Texans, including a few starters, is that coincidental or something to that?

No. Someone in the personnel department likes guys that pass through Cleveland. Remember in 2019 when they traded for Duke Johnson? Teams tend to do this regardless of who the coaching staff is and the connections therein.

Which former Brown could have the biggest game Sunday?

I think tight end Pharaoh Brown could have a big game. He caught four passes for 67 yards last week, including a one-handed grab of about 25 yards that got Houston down in the red zone. I think he’s the guy. He’s starting to come into his own at tight end, even starting on game days. He also wants to have a great showing in Cleveland, not so much because he used to be a Brown, but because his family still are big Browns backers.

Score prediction?

The Browns avoid an 0-2 hole by getting after the Texans early with their run game and forcing Taylor into a couple of early turnovers. It isn’t as outrageous as the 17.5-point spread for the game, but there is no doubt Cleveland is in control on the way to a 26-13 Browns victory.