Houston Texans vs. Cleveland Browns: Live Houston Score and Analysis

Despite having two more wins this season and holding a lead in arguably the best division in the NFL, the Cleveland Browns do not have a significantly more talented roster than the Houston Texans.

The oddsmakers seem to feel the same way. According to Odds Shark, the Browns were only a -3.5 favorite as of early Sunday morning; traditionally having home field advantage is worth three points on its own, so on a neutral field the odds might be a 50/50 coin flip.

Is that a slight toward the Browns? Have the oddsmakers, fans and media just not fully bought into their success despite their 6-3 record? Perhaps that's one factor, but there are also a few stats that might make you question how legitimate they've actually been this season.

Their run defense has been gashed this season, and that weakness will be made worse today by the absence of their monster nose tackle Phil Taylor, who was put on IR a couple of days ago. For the season, the Browns rank 28th in rushing yards allowed and 31st in yards per attempt allowed; they're very vulnerable.

Unfortunately, how well the Texans will be able to take advantage of that weakness is in serious doubt, with star running back Arian Foster being ruled out with a groin injury he suffered in their last game before the bye week.

Not having Foster won't be the only factor working against Houston, however. The Texans will also be giving quarterback Ryan Mallett the first start of his NFL career.

First starts are always tough, but making that first start on the road, in the cold and against a good pass defense makes it a big test. The temperature is expected to be below 40 degrees in Cleveland but no snowfall is likely until after the game is over, according to the Weather Channel.

Not that this means anything, but the last time they played a regular season game on the road with the temperature below 40 degrees was against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2011, which the Texans won 20-19 with T.J. Yates at quarterback in only his second career start.

The Browns' pass defense ranks first in opposing QB rating, first in opponent completion percentage and have intercepted the second most passes in the league this season; they've shut down better passing attacks then what the Texans will bring to town.

In Week 6, the Browns held Ben Roethlisberger to 228 passing yards and one touchdown; in the four weeks since that game, Roethlisberger has averaged 368 passing yards per game with 15 passing touchdowns.

The Browns aren't a juggernaut or unbeatable, but it doesn't appear that the Texans have the tools required to get the job done. You'd like to lean on your running game on the road and in the cold with a young quarterback, but with Foster out, how reliable and efficient will that running game be today?

Mallett has many positive attributes, but his accuracy and ability to scramble or buy time with his feet were both weaknesses in college. If the Browns bring pressure frequently and mix up their looks with press man and occasional zone blitzes, Mallett and the Texans offense will likely struggle today.