Interesting Texans didn't name Keenum as the starter. Not sure if it's a deception game or what, but Keenum is NOT a great match up against Browns. Now, I do expect it to be him over Mills, but they're in a rough spot, something we're accustomed to. They will do EVERYTHING they can to pass the ball quickly and make it an extension of the run game. Case is accurate and smart, but if you get them in 3rd and long, it's going to be a punt often.
Brownies have been somewhat susceptible to quick passing attack. We had a streak of a few games without a sack, and Rams and Jags had success getting it out quickly and each team lead the league in time of delivery in their respective weeks. This is obviously the strategy teams use against us, but if we continue to tackle well, it shouldn't matter. It's time for JOK to make a game-breaking, trademark play. Forced fumble, scoop and score, sack fumble, whatever. JOK has been SO good...it's time for the HUGE play.
Our defense has not been the same on the road, that's no secret. We've had a terrible habit of getting behind and not forcing hardly ANY FG's. We're basically last in the league at points off turnovers, in large part due to the offense turning it over WAY too much, but also because we don't force FG's. That has to stop. Myles has been sack less for several weeks, watch for him to have 2-3.
On offense, I'm especially interested to see how we manufacture ground yards. We are going to get Flacco killed if we pass it 50 times every week, not only that, he's GOING to throw interceptions, so the more attempts he has, the more picks. It is what it is. We cannot run the ball, we all know it. So how do we get ground yards?
Expect to see more DTR. That 4th down call by Kevin asking DTR to throw it was so risky. We also got an illegal block/hold on the outside that should have been called, AND the throw was behind, but we got the yard and it was glorious. What a ballsy call. We'll see more DTR and what else?
Remember at the beginning of the year when we kept trying to use Moore in different ways from backfield and it was a disaster? Well, I'd bring it back. We HAVE to get ground yards, and I don't care if it's 2-3 a pop. What we can't do is go backwards like we did twice last week. In the first quarter, we had 1st and 5 and 2nd and 2. Both times we punted.
Texans are near last last in the league defending TEs but are close to best in defending the run. Ground yards will be tough, so expect Goodwin to get at least 1 end around, Njoku to go bananas everywhere, and a huge game from...Harrison Bryant. They'll be so focused on Njoku, Bryant will be open. I'm putting down money on him getting a TD, and I fully expect Goodwin to get multiple shots as well. Goodwin might be worth a random $20 bet because it's indoors, he's healthy, and Joe throws about the best deep ball I can ever remember in a Browns uniform.
Lots to read, but also left a lot for others if you want to dive in with me. Can we finally play a clean game? Can we catch the pick-6? Can we hit Goodwin when he's open and give Flacco enough time against a stout front? Texans do not blitz, play similar to us, and are very physical. Should be fun, boys.