Cleveland Browns: Week 6 predictions against the Houston Texans
4. The secondary struggles once again, as star Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins has a great game.
In 2017, the Browns have faced three receivers that many consider elite – Antonio Brown, T.Y. Hilton and A.J. Green. In those games, the three receivers combined for 23 catches for 398 yards and two touchdowns.
Not. Good.
Cleveland faces another top receiver this week in Hopkins, who is coming off a three-touchdown game against the Chiefs last week. Since Watson was named the starter, the former Clemson wide receiver has returned to dominance. Hopkins is averaging seven catches for 77 yards and one touchdown over the past four weeks.
Those averages should be the floor for Hopkins this week. Cornerback Jamar Taylor has struggled against big-time receivers this year, and Hopkins moves around enough to avoid cornerback Jason McCourty on every play. Safety Jabrill Peppers has also struggled as a deep safety, missing tackles deep into the secondary.
With how strong the Browns run defense has been this year, the Texans should look to the air early and often. Watson said back in April that teams that pass on him are “gonna have to live with the consequences that come with it.” Yes, the Browns were one of the teams that passed on him. Expect Watson to target Hopkins early and often, as the “Clemson connection” has a big game.
5. Despite the quarterback change, Browns cannot put enough points on the board to win
This is starting to become a weekly occurrence. The confidence was there in Weeks 2 and 3, but that is long gone. Once again, the Browns appear to be the worst team in football.
The offense should look better this week with Hogan at the helm, but the weapons still are not there. Tight end David Njoku has been vastly improved from the beginning of the season, building a strong rapport with Hogan, but he is not enough. The Texans defense, even with the injuries, is too strong.
Watson and Hopkins will be too much for the Browns to handle. As long as Watson takes care of the football, the Texans should win and cover the spread.
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Prediction: Texans 27-14