Official Texans vs. Browns Game Thread, 12/4/2022

[Keith]

FUMBLE! Watson's first completion turns into a loose ball by receiver Anthony Schwartz. Forced out by Tavierre Thomas, recovered by Desmond King.

Better drive initially this time by the Texans. 11-yd pass to Jordan Akins moves them into the redzone, but a facemask penalty on Brevin Jordan bounces them back out. Then a foul start on Howard makes it a 1st-and-30. Rough start for Howard today.

On 3rd-and-19 from 25, pass to Nico Collins falls incomplete. Not a bad idea given the down and distance having already been in field goal range.

44-yd field goal is good by Ka'imi Fairbairn to start the scoring. First lead the team has held in five games.

Texans 3-0
8:02 left in 1st quarter

[Keith]

Watson showing some familiar pocket mobility. His passes are lacking a bit of touch, but is has been two years since his last game action. Jacoby Brissett though subs in for Watson on a short 3rd-and-1 at midfield and converts the first down following a handoff.

Watson re-enters and finds Donovan Peoples-Jones for 27 yards into the redzone.

INTERCEPTION! Watson play action to center of the end zone picked by Jalen Pitre returned to Texans 26. Man, how many times have I seen Watson get picked throwing into the end zone... the more things change, right?

Texans 3-0
3:35 remaining in 1st

[Keith]

FLEA FLICKER_ish ALERT - Pep Hamilton calling a with new playbook I guess. Pass goes to B Jordan for 20 yards.

Pierce gains 11 yards on a second run across midfield, then 9 yards and 6 yards on his next two carries. Much better look from running game than past couple weeks. Completion to Collins for 13 yards moves the offense into the redzone.

1st quarter ends with the Texans sitting on 1st-and-10 on the Browns 15-yd line.

3-0 Texans

[Keith]

Ogunbowale subs in and takes a 2nd down carry for 6 to the 3 and a new set of downs. Jump ball play to Collins in back corner of the endzone is incomplete. That needs to happen, Allen just off target. Allen calls a timeout on 3rd-and-goal.

Handoff on third down goes to Ogunbowale, stopped at 1. Pep back into his old bag of tricks. Texans go for it on 4th down. Incomplete at goalline to Hairston. Barf, Pep.

Browns get the ball at their own 1-yd line following the turnover on downs.

Texans 3-0
13:02 remaining in the 1st half

[Keith]

SAFETY!

Front seven led by Maliek Collins gets a push. Nick Chubb tackled in his own endzone by Roy Lopez.

So the Texans essentially eschew the three-pointer for two. Darryl Morey would be disappointed in today's NBA.

Browns to punt.

Texans 5-0
11:53 remaining in half

[Keith]

Ensuing Texans drive stalls around midfield. Cam Johnston's punt is a beaut, downed at the 1-yard line.

Hairston questionable to return with rib injury, so I guess Pep can rule out any more 4th down FB passes.

Watson gets the Browns unburied from their own goalline with a couple high percentage completions, including one to former Texan Pharoah Brown. Holding call on Peoples-Jones negates what would've been a first down run by Watson. Chubb stuffed on a 3rd-and-short, Browns punt from their 35.

56-yard punt, no return. Yuck. Texans will start next drive from their own 8.

Texans 5-0
5:20 left in half

[Keith]

Allen has a second down pass go through both of Brevin Jordan's hands. Seeing this half maybe why Jordan has spent most gamedays on the inactive list. Checkdown throw on third caught by Ogunbowale but is short.

Johnston booms a punt long, 60 yards, but Peoples-Jones returns it to the house, 76 yards. Extra point is good.

Texans 5, Browns 7
3:41 remaining in the half