Browns: 3 players who need to step up against the Texans

With the Browns back from the bye week, the team will need to face a very game Texans and these three players need to step up.

The Cleveland Browns are in desperate need to come out firing against the Houston Texans. They have one of the worst defenses in the league and the Browns offense should find the Texans ripe for the picking. If the Browns can in fact find their form fast and early, then this game could be out of hand by half time, though that’s wishful thinking at this point. The Browns have yet to blow a team out all season, there’s no reason to believe that’ll happen on Sunday.

That said, the Texans are at the top of the league in rushing yards given up (159.5), and in the top ten with passing yards given up (257.4). They’re also fourth in the league in most points giving up (30.3).

The Browns are coming in still in the top five in total yards rushed for (150.0) despite Kareem Hunt’s struggles and Nick Chubb’s injury. The Browns offense will look to rebound off the back or the Texans, with most of their heavy hitters finally back all at the same time. So let’s look at the three names that need to step up.

Baker Mayfield

This one is obvious but also not. Baker Mayfield has shown great aptitude in recent weeks, hitting targets, scoring touchdowns, and being the reason the Browns won five games. Mayfield is 5-0 in games where he throws two or more touchdowns. Getting him going is key. His performance against Las Vegas was actually good if you count all the balls – of which there were five – by receivers.

Mayfield can’t help that his guys couldn’t catch a lick out there. If he carves up Houston, as he should, then that’ll only help further distance the narrative that he’s anything other than the man going forward into 2021 and beyond.