Weather could dictate plan
Run game, defense at forefront amid expected wintry day in Cleveland
Weather conditions at Cleveland’s FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday could jeopardize Deshaun Watson’s attempt to compile a seventh consecutive passer rating of at least 109.
A pleasant weekend in northeast Ohio is supposed to change Sunday morning with wind, rain and temperatures between 45-55 degrees. The forecast predicts wind gusts up to 40 miles an hour.
The Browns know that forecast could change as game time approaches, but if it doesn’t, the conditions should have a huge impact on the passing game in a stadium that sits on the banks of Lake Erie.
“I’m hearing there’s a 90 percent chance of rain,” defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said Thursday on a Zoom conference call. “It’s going to be a ground-and-pound type of game.”
Ground and pound isn’t the Texans’ cup of tea. They excel with Watson spreading the ball around to talented receivers, starting with Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks, who are on a pace for more than 1,000 yards each.
Wind is the worst thing a quarterback and his receivers have to deal with. The Browns are used to it. The Texans aren’t.
The Browns are built for treacherous conditions with a running game that’s fifth, averaging 150 yards per game, including 5 per carry. They have an exceptional backfield with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.
“They’re extremely dynamic players,” Weaver said. “What’s interesting about the two of them is Chubb’s been hurt (knee) recently, so in our breakdown, he doesn’t really show up.
“You watch Hunt, and you see how good he is. As you’re watching, you’re like, ‘God, how good is the Nick Chubb kid?’ They’re both physical, downhill backs. They have good vision (and) speed. They run hungry. They’re always falling forward. It’s going to be a challenge for our defense.”
Compared to a Browns offense that relies heavily on the running game, the Texans aren’t built for hazardous conditions. They’re 31st in rushing with 87.6 yards per game, including 3.9 per carry.
Duke Johnson is replacing the injured David Johnson in the starting lineup. At least Duke Johnson understands the Cleveland weather, since he played his first four seasons with the Browns.
In the Browns’ last home game — a 16-6 loss to Las Vegas two weeks ago — a 35 mph wind created problems for both quarterbacks in a game with only one touchdown.
The Raiders’ Derek Carr threw for 111 yards and one touchdown. His rating was 87.3. Baker Mayfield threw for 122 yards and finished with a 62.4 rating.
Playing in conditions like that can benefit the defense.
“Defensively, it kind of simplifies the game for you a little,” Weaver said. “You put some extra-long cleats on. You dig your heels in the dirt and do everything you can to stop the run.
“We know they’re committed to it. We’ve improved in recent weeks. We knowwhat we have to do. I think if it is like that, if it’s raining and it’s windy and the game becomes one-dimensional, I tend to think it helps the defense.”
The Texans are 32nd against the run, allowing 159.5 yards, but their run defense improved in the last two games against the Packers and Jaguars.
“As long as you can bow and take the challenge on, you can stop the run and try to get them to throw the ball in a windy stadium,” Weaver said.
Crennel, who spent four years in Cleveland as the head coach after one as defensive coordinator, is familiar with how the weather can impact a game there.
“You look back in the history of the league when all the games were outdoors, and it got to November and December, those teams that could run it and those teams that could stop the run had the best chance because of the weather conditions,” Crennel said.
Weaver was the Browns’ defensive line coach in 2014-15 before coming to Houston. Playing for Baltimore during his first four years in the NFL, Weaver played in Cleveland every season.
The Texans know what the Browns’ strategy will be: run as much and productively as possible.
“We’ve got to set the edge, build the wall — very similar to what we did in Jacksonville,” Weaver said about Sunday’s 27-25 victory. “I think the biggest thing you’ve got to try to do is not give up the (big) run. Very few offensive coordinators are committed to getting 3 and 4 yards at a time. We’ve got to try to limit them to less than that but definitely not more than that.
“If you’re getting those chunk-play runs, they’re going to keep at it. We’ve got to contain them. If they want to be patient and try to get little chunks at a time, then God bless them.”
Chubb, who had 57 carries, 335 yards (5.9 average) and four touchdowns before suffering a knee injury, is healthy again. Hunt has 529 yards, a 4.6 average and three touchdowns rushing.
“It obviously poses a problem,” Weaver said about preparing for backs with different styles. “Thank goodness there’s only one ball and only one of them can have it at a time. They can have gamebreaking plays at any time. We’ve got to come downhill and make sure we tackle well.”
Getting off blocks, filling gaps and making tackles begins with the front seven. Defensive end J. J. Watt grew up in Wisconsin, so bad weather’s not challenging for him. Chubb and Hunt are. Their running makes the play-action work for Mayfield.
“They’re very good players, (and) they have a lot of success running the ball,” Watt said. “The offensive line does a good job blocking for them. (Mayfield) can throw the ball.
“They’re very effective. As the front line of defense, it’s up to us first and foremost to do our job to set the edges, build the wall in the middle and the linebackers to come up and make tackles. Everybody doing their job (is) whatwe can do to be successful on Sunday.”