Cleveland Browns: Week 6 predictions against the Houston Texans
Is this the week that the Cleveland Browns finally wins a game? It could be but things will have to work just right in key areas.
The Cleveland Browns travel to Texas for a 1PM contest against the Houston Texans on Sunday. Cleveland is 0-1 against the AFC South this year, while Houston defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in its only AFC North matchup so far.
The losses keep stacking up for the Browns, as Cleveland now sits at 0-5. Turnovers eliminated any chance of victory last week against the New York Jets. Meanwhile, Houston is 2-3 on the year. Since naming rookie Deshaun Watson the starting quarterback, the Texans have only lost to the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs.
Without further ado, here are this week’s predictions.
1. Quarterback Kevin Hogan takes care of the ball, moves the offense with more ease after being named the starter.
Last week against the New York Jets, rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer was benched in favor of Hogan to begin the second half. Kizer was extremely ineffective, going 8/17 for just 87 yards, including two costly turnovers in the red zone.
Hogan came in the game and electrified the offense, leading them to two, second-half touchdowns. He finished the second half 16/19 for 194 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Hogan was also the team’s second-leading rusher with 30 yards on the ground.
While many (myself included) would rather see Kizer get the on-field experience, head coach Hue Jackson needs to win a game badly. It is pretty clear Hogan gives the Browns a better chance to win right now.
Houston’s defense poses a tough threat for passers. The Texans currently rank 13th in the NFL, allowing just 221.4 yards passing per game. However, injuries have ravaged this star-studded defense. Defense end J.J. Watt and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus are both out for the year. Second-year cornerback Kevin Johnson has also been ruled out for this week.
Those absences are music to the ears of Hogan. Without the two elite pass rushers, he will have much more time to diagnose plays in the pocket. Hogan has shown he can move the ball with the same weapons Kizer has had, and the injuries to Houston should only help him this week.
Hogan simply looks more prepared to be an NFL quarterback right now. Expect the second-year pro to move the ball much easier and consistently compared to Kizer.
The absences to Watt and Mercilus should only help Hogan take care of the football as well. He is not going to turn into Tom Brady, but Hogan should look more comfortable than Kizer this weekend.