3 Bold Predictions for Browns in 2023-24 NFL Playoff Matchup vs. Texans
The Cleveland Browns will face a much different opponent in the Houston Texans on wild-card weekend than in their Week 16 victory.
The obvious difference from Week 16 is the return of C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins to the Houston offense.
Stroud and Collins formed one of the best quarterback-wide receiver duos in the NFL this season and they will pose a threat to the Browns secondary on Saturday.
Joe Flacco and Amari Cooper were incredible at NRG Stadium three weeks ago, and the Texans will be prepared to slow down the Browns' No. 1 wide receiver because of his 265-yard, two-score performance.
David Njoku and Flacco's other options in the passing attack may need to carry the offense on certain drives, and it would help if the ground game became more of an asset.
David Njoku Leads Browns in Receiving Yards
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Cooper's 11-catch, 265-yard, two-score showing in Houston will be one of the main talking points going into Saturday.
Some prognosticators will hype up another big day for Cooper, but Houston might overcorrect its defensive mistakes to deal with Cleveland's top pass-catcher.
Houston's likely overcommitment to Cooper, at least early in the game, should lead to more open space for David Njoku.
Njoku had six catches on nine targets for 44 yards and a score in Week 16. It is not the eye-popping stat line that belonged to Cooper, but he was still effective.
Njoku has been the biggest beneficiary of Flacco's emergence at quarterback. He had a pair of 100-yard performances and a 90-yard game across his final four regular-season appearances.
Houston tied the Cincinnati Bengals for the most receptions allowed to tight ends and it allowed the fifth-most receiving yards to players at that position.
Njoku is going to get a high target share from Flacco, and if Cooper is shut down, the tight end could easily lead the Browns in receiving yards.
Ground Game Is Major Asset in Victory
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Cleveland needs more effectiveness from its rushing attack to beat Houston.
Flacco will open the Houston secondary on occasion, but the Texans should be better prepared to deal with the veteran quarterback after his big day in Houston in Week 16.
The Browns must play some sort of complementary football to avoid putting all the pressure on Flacco.
Jerome Ford, Pierre Strong Jr. and Kareem Hunt combined for 58 rushing yards on 27 carries in Week 16.
A similar level of production on Saturday may not be good enough to win, especially if the Texans are better equipped to stop the pass.
Houston allowed the sixth-fewest rushing yards to opposing running backs in the regular season, which is the fourth-best total among the 14 playoff participants.
The Browns need to find a way to make at least one of their running backs effective so that it provides balance and allows Flacco to be as potent as possible in the play-action game.
Myles Garrett Produces Best Postseason Performance
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Myles Garrett is arguably Cleveland's most important player to achieving success on Saturday.
Garrett enters wild-card weekend with a single sack and three tackles in his postseason career.
Garrett recorded two tackles for loss against the Houston offensive line in Week 16, and he will be asked to do more to contain Stroud.
The Browns need their top pass-rusher to buck the trend that he was more productive at home this season.
Garrett's two best sack performances as well as all six of his games with three or more quarterback hits occurred at home.
An effective pass rush with multiple quarterback hits would slow down the Stroud-Collins partnership and may force the rookie signal-caller into some uncharacteristic mistakes in his first playoff start.
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