The Cleveland Browns made good on predictions to beat the Houston Texans, earning a 31-21 victory at First Energy Stadium on Sunday.
The first half played out closer more than any of us could’ve expected, as Tyrod Taylor looked like he was going to be a headache all day. Cleveland’s 2018 opening day starting quarterback looked like he was playing with something to prove against his former team.
Through misdirection, play-action passing and Taylor’s ability to run with the ball, Cleveland’s defense looked surprisingly bad going up against what we thought was a lesser opponent.
Even with the Browns looking for from superb, the game was knotted at 14 at the half.
A surprise start to the third quarter gave us Davis Mills under center for Houston. Taylor left the game with a hamstring injury. This changed the complexion of the game–for awhile, anyway. We were all holding our breath after Mills and the Texans came within three points of the Browns early in the fourth quarter.
It wasn’t pretty, but the Browns were supposed to win this contest and ultimately got it done.
Here’s three things the Browns got right and three things they got wrong in victory.
1. Cleveland Browns got right: Leaning on Chubb
The last thing the Browns needed after the Texans made the the game 24-21 was to go three-and-out on the ensuing possession.
Cleveland ignited its nine play drive with some hand-offs to Kareem Hunt, smart passing from Mayfield and some safe quarterback runs that saw Baker duck out of bounds before he took a big hit.
Enter Chubb. No. 24’s first run of the possession came on 1st and 10 from the Houston 41. He ripped off 14 yards on a run to the left.
After Mayfield scrambled for a yard, the Browns went back to their back. Twenty-six yards later, Chubb was celebrating in the end zone as Cleveland extended its lead to 10.
2. Cleveland Browns got wrong: Still waiting on D
This game looked to turn heavily in favor of the Browns after Demetric Felton busted a 33-yard screen pass for a touchdown.
And then…the defense got on the field, allowing Houston to run a 16-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that ate over eight minutes of clock.
It was painful to watch as the Texans were content to chew up small chunks of yardage. The big damage came on a play when rookie corner Greg Newsome didn’t even attempt to turn around to look for a ball thrown his direction. The Texans went from from Cleveland’s 42 to the 15 as a result of the foul.
Six plays later, Davis Mills threw his first professional touchdown pass.
The defense received huge upgrades during the offseason, but the fan base hasn’t seen that translate into production on the field. You barely heard Myles Garrett’s name all day. Denzel Ward was giving receivers eight yards of cushion. Where the heck was JOK? He was out there, I think.
3. Cleveland Browns got right: Finding spot for Demetric Felton
The Browns needed something to go their way on their first possession of the second half. Cleveland was having success running the ball, but the passing game was relegated to short passes to the tight end.
CBS broadcasters pointed out how Kevin Stefanski and Baker Mayfield might try to dial up something downfield to loosen up the Texans defense.
Turns out Stefanski knew Cleveland needed something to, and with young receivers Anthony Schwartz and Donovan Peoples-Jones struggling to establish themselves throughout the game, the coach looked toward rookie Demetric Felton.
Mayfield took the snap and quickly fired a screen down the line of scrimmage to Felton, who displayed the burst and elusiveness that was evident during the preseason, all the way for a 33-yard touchdown.
The score put the Browns up for good, 21-14, and was the boost the offense clearly needed.
4. Cleveland Browns got wrong: Schwartz’s folly
Kevin Stefanski appeared to have some words for rookie receiver Anthony Schwartz on the sideline following Baker Mayfield’s first-half interception.
The replay showed Schwartz seemingly giving up on the play and broadcasters talked about how the third-round pick didn’t fight for the ball.
Mayfield was injured on the tackle after the change of possession, but fortunately, he returned.
Cleveland’s wide receivers accounted for just three receptions in the first half, as the tight ends hauled in seven receptions.
You’ve got to wonder how much Cleveland’s young receivers played a factor into the lack of production from the position. Jarvis Landry left early with a knee injury, severely weakening the depth chart.
Donovan Peoples-Jones had a big fumble after the catch and then Schwartz, who negatively affected the game with his play, as opposed to a week ago.
5. Cleveland Browns got right: Back to running
After Tyrod Taylor strolled into the end zone to put the Texans up 14-7, it was pretty evident what the Browns needed to do: Run. The. Ball.
Kevin Stefanski must’ve heard me all the way from the farm in Southwest Ohio, because with Mayfield healthy and back in the game, he pounded the ball with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt in a drive that culminated with Mayfield rushing the ball in for a touchdown.
Chubb added 43 yards on four carries during the drive. Kareem Hunt added two more rushes for 13 yards. In between, Mayfield connected on passes to tight ends Harrison Bryant and David Njoku.
Add it all up: 10 plays, 75 yards and the Browns ate just under five minutes of clock. That’s Cleveland’s offense at its best.
In the first half, Chubb and Hunt combined for 72 yards on 13 carries.
Cleveland Browns got wrong: Going soft
Denzel Ward is the team’s best corner, and frankly, one of the best defensive backs in the NFL.
So, you can imagine the dismay of Browns fans to see No. 21 targeted three different times in the first half by Tyrod Taylor. Each pass went to a different receiver and was complete.
Brandin Cooks is one of the Texans’ top targets, but when Ward was matched up on him, it looked like he was giving up 7-8 yards to the playmaker.
Ward’s inability to interject himself into stopping these plays helped Houston score their first touchdown.
Much is made of the contract Baker Mayfield is playing for, but Denzel Ward is in the same boat. Ward, as the fourth-overall pick int he 2018 draft, will want to be paid to like an elite shutdown corner, and truthfully, it’s hard to argue he’s in that type of rarified air.
He’s still possesses great talent and potential, but there are times you wonder why he doesn’t make more an impact defensively. That said, he’ll make a play like this and you remind yourself that your happy he wars an orange helmet.
The Browns have picked up the fifth year option on Ward, so he’ll be here through 2022. That said, a decision looms.