THE LOWDOWN
The Texans are seeking to break their six-game losing streak against the franchise’s former star quarterback Deshaun Watson, who’s set to make his debut with the Browns after serving an 11-game suspension for violating the NFL’s conduct policy amidst over a dozen allegations of sexual assault. The Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander and Brooks Kubena discuss that and more topics ahead of Sunday’s game:
What do you expect the environment will be like for Deshaun Watson’s return to Houston?
Kubena: For a second straight season, Texans season ticket holders have voiced their discontent by not showing up to games for which they’ve purchased tickets. This is perhaps one of those games that they’d decide to attend. The interest driving such a decision will vary, but it’s safe to say it will mostly stem from the fan base’s interest (or disdain) for Deshaun Watson. I also expect that beleaguered fans will be driven to further despondency by the highly controversial situation of Watson’s return after a lewd legal battle and decide to ignore the weekend completely. A well-traveled Browns fan base may pick up plenty of such tickets off the secondary market, driven by their interest in seeing the debut of the quarterback Cleveland’s ownership invested so heavily in despite the dozens of sexual assault allegations levied against him that resulted in his 11-game suspension. Attorney Tony Buzbee confirmed that up to 10 of the women who filed suit against Watson plan on attending the game. Only eight players on the Texans’ active roster played with Watson in Houston, so there is little personal connection between the two teams that would spark anything extra on the field.
Alexander: Based on the Texans fans at my gym, my barber — who is a huge Texans fan — and as well as others, I expect the reaction to be mixed. There are fans who still cheer for Watson, despite the dozens of allegations against him. And there are fans who are disappointed and disgusted by the allegations and some who feel he gave up on the franchise, and let them down. It’ll be an intense and probably emotional game for the fans. It’ll probably be one of the loudest atmospheres we’ve heard this season. As for the Texans, they know the storyline, but I don’t think they are making much of it. The Texans just need a win, and worrying so much about Deshaun Watson returning to face his former team does them no good. Most of the players on this 53-man roster haven’t even played a snap with Watson. How sharp do you expect Deshaun Watson to be in his return to football after his 700-day absence, and what do you expect the plan is for him with the Browns?
Kubena: I believe the “sharpness” factor is overblown in this case. The Browns don’t need Watson to be fully 100 percent ready anyway with the success they’ve had with Nick Chubb, the NFL’s third-leading rusher. Watson has been practicing since Nov. 16. No, that’s not actual game action. But Watson’s already shaken off some of the rust off in a very lackluster preseason game against the Jaguars, in which he was 1-of-5 passing for 7 yards. I do believe the Browns will deploy a different type of offense that makes use of Watson’s ability to expand the pocket. The Texans will likely need to present an extra defender in the box to stop Chubb, which will inherently open up the field for the passing game. If the Texans’ defense can force Watson to make throws in tight windows, that’s where they can take advantage of any potential sharpness issues. But there have been many receivers running in open space recently, and the Browns have enough talent in Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones to gain the same advantage.
Alexander: I think there’s truth to the rust. We saw it in his lone preseason game you’re referencing, Brooks. That’s the only game action he’s had since the 2020 season. Having said all of that, I agree that the Browns don’t need Watson do all too much. Their running game is the focal point of their offense. It has been this season and it will always be their focal point. There’s no reason to suspect that the Browns will all of a sudden throw it 40 times. I think they’ll run it 40-50 times with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. The Texans haven’t been nearly as bad at stopping the run as they were midway through the season. They allowed only 66 yards last week. But they are still historically bad, allowing 168.6 rushing yards per game, which is more rushing yards per game allowed than any NFL team in the past decade. The Browns are going to run the football and won’t need Watson to do too much.
How much better do you expect Kyle Allen to be in his second start?
Alexander: I think Kyle Allen will be improved. Last week’s game was his first since the 2020 season. But his improvements likely won’t be a ton better. The offense’s problems extend far beyond the quarterback. Their offensive line has struggled. They’ve given up 10 sacks in the past two games alone. The offense has shown that it can’t operate when the running game isn’t efficient. Allen can improve by not turning the ball over. That’s been his Achilles’ heel in the past. His
two interceptions were both throws he shouldn’t have made. But the pieces around him have to play a lot better too. The play-calling has to allow him to take more shots downfield.
Kubena: After Allen’s dismal debut against the Dolphins, the journeyman backup said “I know I’m a much better player than what I showed today.” I do expect Allen to improve, mostly because Pep Hamilton’s runoriented scheme will open up more because it should have more success against a Browns defense that surrenders the 10th-most rushing yards per game. The Texans’ coaching staff likes Allen’s ability to make quicker decisions in the passing game, the mark of a veteran quarterback. Hamilton said Thursday that he believes Allen’s decision-making should allow them to get the offense going quicker Sunday. Allen was 16 of 23 passing for 166 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the second half against the Dolphins, which Lovie Smith pointed to as signs that he was progressing. The Texans’ coaching staff isn’t going to pull the plug on Allen quickly. Like other players on the roster this season, they’ll give him enough time on the field for him to feel like he was given a fair shot to show them what he’s made of. That should be at least another start or two. But with just six games remaining, the Texans may want to get one more look at Davis Mills to see how he responded to being benched, which will give them clarity on if they need to draft a QB in the offseason or not.
Will Dameon Pierce and the Texans’ run game break out of their slump against the Browns?
Alexander: I think so. Otherwise, they have no chance.
The Browns haven’t been good against the run this season.
They give up 131.5 yards rushing per game, which is 23rd in the NFL. Establishing the run is something they’ve been focused on this week, and presenting a more balanced attack. Adding Eno Benjamin and continuing to implement Dare Ogunbowale could help, too. The Texans aren’t going to beat anyone by just passing the football. Running the football is their identity. Pierce has run for 8 yards in each of the past two games. It’s hard to imagine he’ll have a third consecutive game like that. This is the perfect game for him to get back on track. But the offensive line is going to have to open up some holes for him. Defensive linemen have been getting into the backfield as soon as Pierce touches the ball.
Kubena: The Browns have surrendered an average of 154 rushing yards in their past three games. That’s with two No. 1 overall picks at defensive end in Jadeveon Clowney and Myles Garrett. Cleveland’s interior defense is susceptible to the ground game, and Pierce has a penchant for breaking tackles and running hard between the tackles. One of the problems the Texans’ offense recently has been how defenses have been organizing their fronts to create favorable one-on-one matchups against rookie left guard Kenyon Green, who missed at least portions of two practices this week with an illness before returning Friday. The Texans will need to support Green schematically, but he’ll have to continue his progression as a first-year blocker and win some one-on-ones to create running lanes for Pierce. At the very least, Pierce should certainly have exceedingly more yards than the eight he’s produced in each of the last two games.
How confident are you that the Texans’ run defense can limit Nick Chubb?
Kubena: The Texans surrendered a season-low 66 rushing yards against the Dolphins last week, but that’s mostly because Tua Tagovailoa carved them up in the passing game during the first half to gain a 30-0 lead. Most of Houston’s opponents this season have had their way with the Texans defense in whatever way they’ve chosen. From Deshaun Watson to Nick Chubb to Kareem Hunt to Amari Cooper and others, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski has plenty of offensive weapons to gain a leg up on a Texans defense that doesn’t match up well against Cleveland’s talent, especially with No. 3 overall pick Derek Stingley Jr. out for the third straight game with a hamstring injury.
Alexander: If I’m being honest, I don’t have much confidence. The Texans played well versus the run last week against the Dolphins, but the Dolphins also aren’t a run-first team.
They chose to beat the Texans through the air. If the Texans manage to contain Nick Chubb, they won’t be able to do that all game. Chubb is one of the most dynamic players in the game. He’s difficult to bring down, and that’s where the Texans have struggled most. Then you have to factor in Kareem Hunt, who can also break free for a big gain at any point. Sunday’s game will be a true test for the Texans’ run defense.