Texans’ Hoyer: Bring on Dalton, unbeaten Bengals

“I’m familiar with their personnel and their scheme. I didn’t have to look at the scouting report because I know them by name and number. … With my familiarity with their personnel, I can try to use that to help our team this week.” Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer

In both games, Hoyer relied heavily on an outstanding Cleveland defense that didn’t allow a touchdown. The Texans will have to produce a similar defensive performance if they hope to win.

No one knows more than Hoyer how fragile success can be. That prime-time victory at Cincinnati last year gave the Browns a 6-3 record and left them alone in first place in the AFC North.

Then the underdog Texans came to Cleveland the next week and stunned the Browns, who collapsed in alarming fashion over the last seven games of the season.

In recent years, the Texans have been awful in prime time. They need Hoyer to play his best game to have even the slightest chance of pulling a monumental upset in the nationally televised game.

Hoyer and coach Bill O’Brien disagreed when they were asked Monday if Hoyer’s success against the Browns the last two years should be of benefit in Monday’s game.

“I don’t think any of that matters,” O’Brien said. “I think it’s more about how’s he practicing this week, which looked good today, (and) where he is with his game plan.

“He has confidence. He came out today (and) was ripping it around pretty good. He’s playing confidently right now, regardless of what his record is against the Bengals.”

Hoyer, who’s on pace for 26 touchdown passes and six interceptions, agreed his record against the Bengals has no bearing on his confidence entering the game or during the game.

“I don’t think so,” he said. “This league is constantly changing. I was on a different team. I’m on a different team now.

“This is a year-to-year, game-to-game business. You have to be ready to play every Sunday.” And Monday. If not, Hoyer won’t be perfect against the Bengals.