Official Texans @ Browns Game Thread, 11/16/14

[Nconroe]

Been a while since our last game.

We thought this was a winnable easy game up to a month or so ago, but now Cleveland is 6-3. Cleveland is in first place in the strong AFC North and won three in a row. Overall yards per game are statistically about equal.

Our old friend RB Ben Tate should play.

Can't wait to see our ex Brady backup, Mallett, play against the Browns ex Brady backup, Hoyer.

ESPN had these traits -
Poise: Advantage Hoyer. This is his thing. Pretty simple choice until Mallett proves otherwise. Hoyer proven patience and decision making.

Potential: Advantage Mallett. He had first-round potential in 2011 and was eventually traded. Obviously Hoyer has long-term potential, too, but the Texans can’t give up on Mallett’s value.

Huddle command: Advantage Hoyer. Character was a concern for Mallett out of Arkansas, and though some of that might’ve been overblown, he needs time to show he can lead a huddle. Hoyer is a good locker-room guy and has no problems in this area.

Arm strength: Advantage Mallett. This is his thing. Hoyer throws a tight spiral but doesn’t have the prototypical arm strength of Mallett, though that can be overplayed (see: Cutler, Jay).

Pedigree: Tie. Both learned from Brady for three years, and former draft status is irrelevant to 2014. Both have starting jobs.

Supporting cast: Advantage Mallett. This is a close one, but Arian Foster, Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins provide a formidable backstop for any quarterback.

Accuracy: Advantage Hoyer. Hoyer is more accurate this season (58.5 completion percentage) than Mallett was in three years of college (57.8). Mallett might take more shots downfield, but Hoyer will complete more passes.

Personnel exec’s take: Advantage Hoyer. According to an NFC personnel executive who’s scouted both players: “I like Hoyer much better. Mallett has more arm talent than Hoyer, but Hoyer is a better decision-maker. [Mallett] not good with decision-making. Tries to muscle the ball because he knows he has the arm. Hoyer needs talent around him, but I would pick Hoyer.”

[Arky]

TV = CBS (channel 11 local), noon CST, Sunday, Nov 16

Announcers = Andrew Catalon, Steve Tasker, Steve Beuerlein (a big chunk of Arkansas tuning in to watch the prodigal son)

The line = Browns by 3

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Other Sunday viewing in Houston:

Early:

FOX = Seattle @ Kansas City -- Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa

Late afternoon:

FOX = Philadelphia @ Green Bay -- Joe Buck, Troy Aikman

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TNF = Buffalo @ Miami

SNF = New England @ Indianapolis

MNF = Pittsburgh @ Tennessee

[HPF Bob]

It's going to be hard for me not to root for Indy and Tennessee this week against the two NFL teams I despise the most. Just sayin'.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

It's going to be hard for me not to root for Indy and Tennessee this week against the two NFL teams I despise the most. Just sayin'.

Are not the Colts our primary competition in the AFC South and our franchises nemesis during our entire existence ? With that in mind, you don't go with the Pats, i.e., the enemy of my enemy is my friend ?

[HPF Bob]

Hate doesn't need to be rational. The reality is that we aren't catching the Colts and I still have a small warm spot for the old Oilers. Don't get me wrong. Anytime we play the Titans or Colts, I want the Texans to beat them but I don't have the frothing-at-the-mouth hatred for them that I do for other teams.

I have a longstanding hate of the Steelers going back to the 70s. Hate them. Hate their fans. Hate the constant breaks they get from the refs.

The Patriots have become to me the new century's version of the Steelers. Hate them, Hate their front-running fans, their cheating head coach, the fawning they get from the media, the constant breaks they get from the refs, etc. Neither the Colts or the Titans have screwed with me enough to earn that place yet.

[chuck]

It sounds like you hate consistent displays of excellence. It's a good thing you're a Texans fan.

[HPF Bob]

Cushing says he'll be ready for Sunday's game. Let's see if he has some of his speed back.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Cushing says he'll be ready for Sunday's game. Let's see if he has some of his speed back.

Also, Max Bullough to make NFL debut Sunday against Browns.

It’s been a great place for me, a great home for me,” he said of the Texans and Houston. “I’ve learned a lot from the older guys, (like) how to work, how to carry yourself, how the NFL works, what coverages work, what don’t, what fronts work, what don’t. It’s completely different from college, especially because the defense I played was college oriented. For me, that’s been the steepest learning curve.

I'm thinking it's time to start working in some of these younger, upside guys as opposed to bringing in the outside vets....

[HPF Bob]

I didn't know Bullough was still with the team. I liked him a lot in camp. I thought he'd been cut but I guess they put him on the practice squad. Bullough, to me, is similar to Wisconsin's Chris Borland who is making plays now for the 49ers with all their injured LBs. Both are undersized and a step slow but have great intensity and hustle. I figure if Borland can make the transition to the NFL, so can Bullough.

Also, Arian Foster is said to be a gametime decision, still hampered by a groin pull.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Also, Arian Foster is said to be a gametime decision, still hampered by a groin pull.

And that's big, because with Mallett starting his first NFL game, it would sure be much better for him if Foster was playing than having to rely on rookie Blue to pick up the blitz, and you know Cleveland is going to blitz him. It's already bad enough with all the problems the OLine has had in handling the blitzes.

[WMH]

Foster now ruled out for Sunday. Tough spot for Mallett.

[chuck]

Bullough inactive, not a surprise. Posey also inactive, disappointing given the QB change. Cushing will start, Swearinger will not. Manning will start in Swag's place. No one knows why yet, whether it's injury related or because the team is tired of Swag's mistakes.

[Arky]

Should be one of the more interesting games of the year. I think most of us are welcome for the change of pace.....

I picked Cleveland to win across the board in my pickem leagues. I'm usually a Texan homer when it comes to picking.. I figure the karma change will give the Texans the best chance to win.....

[Arky]

And here we go...........

Browns win the toss and deferred. Texans to receive.

Manning downs the kickoff in the end zone. Texan's ball at their 20.

[Arky]

Blue for 6.

Pass to AJ goes for 28..... Browns to challenge that the ball was incomplete.....Eesh, looks like it hit the ground first...

Play is reversed. Brings up 3rd and 4.

Grimes for 3..... Looks like 4th and 1 coming up and a punt....

Browns fair catch the punt at the 29 yard line.

[Arky]

Crowell for no gain.

Pass to Austin gets 12 and a 1st down.

Crowell for loss of 1.

Pass to Gabriel goes inc. Brings up 3rd and 11.

Hoyer's pass over the middle off the mark, inc. Browns will have to punt.

K Martin fair catches the punt at the Texan 10 yard line. Texan's ball.

[Arky]

Blue for maybe 1.

Short pass to D Johnson off the mark, inc. Brings up 3rd and 9.

Deep pass to Hopkins goes for 41. Ball at the Brown 47.

Blue for 2.

Blue for 5. Brings up 3rd and 3.

Timeout Browns with 9:42 left in the 1st qtr.

Blue goes for about 4 and the 1st down.

Blue for about 2.

Deep pass to D Johnson in the end zone is broken up, inc. Brings up 3rd and 8.

Pass to AJ goes to the Brown 19 yard line and a 1st down.

Blue for 1.

Blue goes all the way to the 4 yard line but flags down....Facemask on the Browns, 1/2 the distance places the ball at the 2 yard line.

Pass to Watt in corner of the endzone goes for the TD! Play is under review.....

Play stands, touchdown.

Texans 7, Browns 0

7:09 left in the 1st qtr.

[Arky]

The Browns bring the ensuing kickoff back to the their 20 yard line. Brown's ball.

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Crowell gets loose for 35 yards.

Pass to Hawkins goes for 12.

Pass to Hawkins off the mark, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Browns use another timeout (#2).

Pass to Dray goes for 16.

West for 3. Ball at the Texan 14.

Pass to Hawkins goes for no gain. Brings up 3rd and 7.

Hoyer fumbles in the backfield due to pressure but the Browns fall on it. Browns will go for the FG.

Cundiff's 38-yarder is no good.

Score remains:

Texans 7, Browns 0

3:46 left in the 1st qtr.

[Big Texas]

I am going to go out on a limb and say Mallet looks like he won't be worse than Fitz

[Nconroe]

So far Mallett, and Texans look sharp today. Blue doing well in run game helps.