What do you expect from Texans vs Browns?

[Texecutioner]

I know about "any given Sunday", a W is a W is W, and you gotta play who is on your schedule, but in another thread it has been pointed out that the two quality wins against Pittsburgh and Cincy are about all they have had on their schedule. They have the lowest Strength of Schedule and Strength of Victory of any current playoff team.

They started the season 1-2 against Pittsburgh, New Orleans and Baltimore. Three legitimately tough teams. Since then they have been 5-1, but four of the teams they have played are a combined 4-34 on the season. Getting blown out by the Jags in some ways cancels out the good wins they had against Pittsburgh and Cincy in that 5-1 run.

I was just at Wembley on Sunday evening watching the Jags get blown out by the Cowboys. The Texans took the Pokes into OT before losing. Not saying that Cowboys blow out Jags blow out Browns ergo the Texans win, but just saying they have had a pretty even mix of playing good games and playing some really bad teams. One would think that with the four worst teams in football on your first half schedule that you would be 6-3.

Uuummm, did you forget who we have beaten? Titans, Raiders, Bills, and the Redskins. We have beaten probably the worst group of trash teams in the NFL, so I'm not sure why you would discredit any of the wins from the Browns as if we have beaten the Broncos, Seahawks, and the Patriots.

 

[sandman]

Uuummm, did you forget who we have beaten? Titans, Raiders, Bills, and the Redskins. We have beaten probably the worst group of trash teams in the NFL, so I'm not sure why you would discredit any of the wins from the Browns as if we have beaten the Broncos, Seahawks, and the Patriots.

My response had nothing to do with how good - or bad - the Texans are or the quality of their opponents. The post I responded to was about the Browns being a "pretty good team" this year at 6-3. They are 2-2 against teams with winning records. They beat the Saints, who are struggling this season with only one quality win, on a last second FG. They have played four of the five worst teams record-wise in the league this season and struggled in every one of the games. I'm pretty sure that is more "trash" than the Texans. If you want to give them kudos for going 3-1 against teams with a combined winning percent of .105 then go ahead.

Titans (3-6) - were down 25 points in the second half before making a 4th quarter comeback

Jaguars (1-9) - blown out for the Jags only win of the season

Raiders (0-9) - were only leading 9-6 in a FG battle at the start of the 4th quarter

Bucs (1-9) - needed another 4th quarter comeback

 

[thunderkyss]

My response had nothing to do with how good - or bad - the Texans are or the quality of their opponents. The post I responded to was about the Browns being a "pretty good team" this year at

That's just the "Whoa is me" attitude of Houston sports fans. Remeber when 10-1 didn't mean crap? But now we need to be shaking in out boots because Cleveland is 6-3.



Cleveland.

 

[sandman]

That's just the "Whoa is me" attitude of Houston sports fans. Remeber when 10-1 didn't mean crap? But now we need to be shaking in out boots because Cleveland is 6-3.



Cleveland.

Sounds something like this...

2012: I don't care what the record says, this was not a "real" 12-4 team that could contend! Total failure of a season!

2013: See, I told you last year was fake! This 2-14 team is exactly what we are and have finally been exposed!

2014: There is no reason this team should only be 4-5! We should be contending for the playoffs! This is a failure of a season!

Ladies and Gentlemen... your bi-polar Houston Sports Fan!

 

[infantrycak]

That's just the "Whoa is me" attitude of Houston sports fans. Remeber when 10-1 didn't mean crap? But now we need to be shaking in out boots because Cleveland is 6-3.



Cleveland.

Here we agree. This team was only through a monumental cataclysm 2-14. That was not their talent level.

Question of the week: will OB open up the O with a new QB?

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

Sounds something like this...

2012: I don't care what the record says, this was not a "real" 12-4 team that could contend! Total failure of a season!

2013: See, I told you last year was fake! This 2-14 team is exactly what we are and have finally been exposed!

2014: There is no reason this team should only be 4-5! We should be contending for the playoffs! This is a failure of a season!

Ladies and Gentlemen... your bi-polar Houston Sports Fan!

Bipolar Houston Sports Fan??? I think you've assigned bipolarity to the wrong entity. It's gone on from day one of the Texans birth. Anyone exposed to the unrelenting chaos of an uncontrolled bipolar will find himself after a while responding in some very strange behavior themselves. Blame is just one of the defense mechanisms that persons are forced to utlilize in attempting to make sense of the chaos.

When the Texans FO, coaches and players stop delivering their annually alternating sources of chaos to their fans is when their fans can be expected to demonstrate overtly more sane responses.

 

[steelbtexan]

I expect the Texans run defense to hold up a lot better than people on this MB think it will.

 

[infantrycak]

I expect the Texans run defense to hold up a lot better than people on this MB think it will.

I expect the same. They are a pound and ground rushing offense not a big play offense. We do OK at the former and suck at the latter.

 

[badboy]

We need to find a way to turn their outside runs in to the middle.

 

[JB]

We need to find a way to turn their outside runs in to the middle.

Isn't that what edge setters or supposed to do?

 

[DX-TEX]

I think this game will be a blowout. Mallett will have 300+ yards passing, 3 TD’s and 1 INT. Ive seen and read enough this past two weeks about him I think he has a small chip on his shoulder and wants to prove his doubters wrong. BOB will purposely run a lot the first couple possessions to lull the Browns into thinking we are doing what we always do. As soon as the start sneaking into the box BOB unleashes Mallett.

46-10 Texans. Book it.

We will basically Innegan the Browns.

 

[HouTx11]

That's what I'm expecting, along with strong winds and blowing snow.

I never even considered any weather factor. That pretty much reinforces what I expect to see.

As long as the O-line and the secondary remain the enigma that they are, it is hard not to expect a loss here just for those reasons. On top of that, Mallett gets his very first start, playing on the road against a winning opponent and the cold snowy conditions = too many obstacles to overcome. It is good that Joseph will be back, but he hasn't covered receivers too well this year either.

 

[Hottoddie]

Waht do I expect?

1) Some slobber knockin' football (blood will flow & stain the snow).

2) Mallett will go deep down the middle to AJ for a TD on the first play.

3) JJ will continue growing his legend with 2 pick 6's (he's running behind & needs to catch up), 3 1/2 sacks, 1 FF, 2 swatted passes, 8 tackles & 1 TD pass as a TE. That's right, a 3 TD game. The legend continues.

4) JD will make a crushing tackle on Hoyer & knock him out of the game.

5) Manziel will come in & look like a stupid rookie.

6) Texans will walk out with a huge "W".

7) Texans 45 Browns 10

 

[Nitrofish]

Not a great coming out party for a new QB and opening the offense. They are tight against the pass and get picks but give up lots of ypc on the ground - 4.7 ypc.

I expect the game plan to be largely the same with a few long attempts thrown in. But the whole thing could look and work better if Mallett sees inside the numbers. A couple hits down field and a couple TE receptions up the seam could loosen up everything we've been living on so far.

I agree with this, but for the most part with conditions bad. I see a old fashioned game with lots of running.

It will be a close game.

Texans win by a FG late.

 

[JB]

I agree with this, but for the most part with conditions bad. I see a old fashioned game with lots of running.

It will be a close game.

Texans win by a FG late.

I don't get where the conditions bad coming from. From the plains dealer

Sun
11/16/2014 40° 31° 0 in 0 in Mostly cloudy and cold 51° 40°


Gonna be cold, but sw wind at 14 and cold isn't terrible

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

I agree with this, but for the most part with conditions bad. I see a old fashioned game with lots of running.

It will be a close game.

Texans win by a FG late.

By a FIELD GOAL?.........in the swirling Canadian wind stream and snow........and.......? Well, at least we know Randy isn't going to blow away........I wish I could say the same for his balls........


Sorry, but any more now, every time I think about Big Randy coming to the plate, I am haunted by the appearance of this picture creeping into my mind!

 

[thunderkyss]

I don't get where the conditions bad coming from. From the plains dealer

Sun
11/16/2014 40° 31° 0 in 0 in Mostly cloudy and cold 51° 40°


Gonna be cold, but sw wind at 14 and cold isn't terrible

You do know we close the schools around here below 32° right?

 

[JB]

You do know we close the schools around here below 32° right?

Nope, not in Willis

 

[brg88tx]

Waht do I expect?

1) Some slobber knockin' football (blood will flow & stain the snow).

2) Mallett will go deep down the middle to AJ for a TD on the first play.

3) JJ will continue growing his legend with 2 pick 6's (he's running behind & needs to catch up), 3 1/2 sacks, 1 FF, 2 swatted passes, 8 tackles & 1 TD pass as a TE. That's right, a 3 TD game. The legend continues.

4) JD will make a crushing tackle on Hoyer & knock him out of the game.

5) Manziel will come in & look like a stupid rookie.

6) Texans will walk out with a huge "W".

7) Texans 45 Browns 10

I really like this....and it rhymes

BLOOD WILL FLOW & STAIN THE SNOW

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

...

Dale Robertson @sportywineguy · 4h 4 hours ago

Factoids: Shane Lechler leads league with 7 punts of longer than 60 yards. 9 Texans have interceptions, tied for most in NFL.

Dale Robertson @sportywineguy · 4h 4 hours ago

Note that Texans are 6-2 all time in games when temperature is below 40 degrees, which it will be Sunday in Cleveland.

 

[mattieuk]

I will go for a close win for the Browns, featuring a solid game from QB1, leading to a message board meltdown as 2,735 people post "See...I told you we should have started him a month ago!"

Seriously though, just excited to see what spark we have coming out of the bye with a changeup at QB. Not many scorelines would surprise me in his one.

 

[EVOLVIST]

I expect visions of the old AFC Central Division. You know, back when Bernie Kosar gave us fits two times a year, and Webster Slaughter was the enemy. Back when Los Angeles had both the Rams and the Raiders ,and the Cardinals played in Phoenix.

I've never liked playing the Browns. That stupid Dawg Pound, throwing crap on to the field - inbred Rust Belt antics.

I expect a lot of sad faces in Houston around 3pm this coming Sunday. But dammit! - I also expect to win, otherwise why watch?

OB has hit the hard reset button. I expect one day we'll have a legitimate QB. "One day" might be Sunday...or sad faces abound.

 

[TheMatrix31]

Here's hoping Mallett doesn't throw picks and that Bullock doesn't blow kicks.

 

[Txn_in_FL]

 

[Marshall]

Sounds something like this...

2012: I don't care what the record says, this was not a "real" 12-4 team that could contend! Total failure of a season!

2013: See, I told you last year was fake! This 2-14 team is exactly what we are and have finally been exposed!

2014: There is no reason this team should only be 4-5! We should be contending for the playoffs! This is a failure of a season!

Ladies and Gentlemen... your bi-polar Houston Sports Fan!

~But it's all Smith's fault! Fire everyone including the water boy that was a part of last season's team!~

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

I don't get where the conditions bad coming from. From the plains dealer

Sun
11/16/2014 40° 31° 0 in 0 in Mostly cloudy and cold 51° 40°


Gonna be cold, but sw wind at 14 and cold isn't terrible

Windchill is supposed to remain in the mid 20s.........

 

[badboy]

we had a lot of that after the last game.

 

[Nitrofish]

By a FIELD GOAL?.........in the swirling Canadian wind stream and snow........and.......? Well, at least we know Randy isn't going to blow away........I wish I could say the same for his balls........


Sorry, but any more now, every time I think about Big Randy coming to the plate, I am haunted by the appearance of this picture creeping into my mind!

lol... o ye of little faith. The Hobbitt has been pretty good, and contrary to popular belief. FG's are made in worse conditions. I'm not going to work myself up over it. At least not until he is setup for the game winning kick. Then I might pull out what hair I have left.

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

Shot at FirstEnergy stadium 6hours ago.

 

[JB]

yeah they had a lot of snow Thurs. and Fri.

 

[burro]

I want Mallett to bomb it all over the field and have a huge breakout game while the defense brings the pain and takes care of business. 49-13

I expect a lot of ground and pound, shoddy pass defense, and a high scoring loss. 34-30 or something like that.

The good news is I suck at these prediction threads.

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

The Browns keep a tarp on the field to protect it from snow.........then the crew cleans the snow off and removes the tarp just prior to the game.

 

[bayoudreamn]

The Browns keep a tarp on the field to protect it from snow.........then the crew cleans the snow off and removes the tarp just prior to the game.

I find this game interesting. Some things not being said that I find interesting are:

1. Why give Hoyer an edge in the passing game, his arm is not likened to what is generally thought of Mallett's arm. i'd want a strong arm in a 30 mph wind.

2. Just because some runs around the edge have been successful, does not mean that opportunities abound for quantities of such runs.

 

[thunderkyss]

1. Why give Hoyer an edge in the passing game, his arm is not likened to what is generally thought of Mallett's arm. i'd want a strong arm in a 30 mph wind.

Hoyer has been playing good football this year. He's been pretty careful with the ball & been making plays to help his team win. Nothing flashy. Not Rodgers or Brady, but exactly what Fitz was supposed to be for us.

Mallett hasn't done anything & will most likely make some newb mistakes.

 

[MEGA SWATT]

RM is the new TB.

Texans win

 

[Lucky]

RM is the new TB.

Texans win

I agree. And I don't even know whom you're referring to.

I expect to see a Mallett pass go 60 yards in the air against the Lake Erie wind, resulting in a pass interference call.

"And that's good for another Houston Texans FIRST DOWN!!!"

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

Updated Weather Forecast:

35 degrees (wind chill 31)
Wind 10mph with gusts to 15 (Mallet ought to be able to throw it an extra 2 yds now)
20% chance of precipitation (cold rain, not snow)
cloudy

(We just missed an anticipated snow storm expected to drop over 6 inches coming in tomorrow.)

 

[badboy]

Team had a few days to heal and coaches to work on corrections and a game plan. Will Mallett come out nervous, maybe trying to win a long term contract somewhere? Who replaces KJ and was Rolle a one game wonder or a solid pick up? Morris seemed to be doing okay pre injury, will he be effective? Reed started season strong then evaporated like ice on hot sidewalk. Will he be invigorated by the bye?

Clowney effective or no or injured again?

What players will you focus on? For me, entire O line and CB replacing KJ.

What I saw was Texans with a good game plan that boosted their confidence and took same away from Cleveland. There were some plays especially in 3rd I questioned but got a solid win. This is what I wanted from coaches.

Weather seemed not to be a factor. Mallett did not seem nervous but confidently in control; it was his team and all knew it. Bouye (10 Ts) was not what I hoped but did okay as did Rolle (2 Ts). Don't know where Morris was. When you give up only 7 points it is hard to be too critical. Reed seemed ineffective with 2 Ts and he seemed to run into a block and stay there confirming my thought he is gone next season. Pickett despite have only 2 Ts clogged middle well as D held Browns. Clowney got reps, basically non factor but was uninjured.

Oline did much better than I expected regardless of chicken or egg. I did not expect to see Texans dominating this game.

 

[Playoffs]

You don't want to know.