The Texans' pass D is currently fifth in the NFL averaging 189.4 net yards allowed per game, and they've generated more interceptions (10, sixth-most in the NFL) than TDs allowed to date (nine). The team has also put up 20 sacks (ninth in the NFL) - any way you slice it, the Texans have an elite pass D this year. Jacksonville posted 10/32 for 90 net yards, one TD and two interceptions at Houston last week; Tennessee's group had a mere 15/31 for 95 net yards, one TD and two interceptions passing vs. Houston two weeks ago.
Matt Schaub has been playing very well over the past three games, with 55/90 for 741 yards, four TDs and zero interceptions passing despite doing without his number one receiver, Andre Johnson, for that entire span of time. Kevin Walter (21 targets for 14/157/0), Arian Foster (20 for 12/183/1), Jacoby Jones (16 for 9/162/1), Owen Daniels (14 for 10/144/0) and Joel Dreessen (six for 4/50/2) have done a fine job keeping the Texans' offense humming along while Johnson recuperates.The Browns' rush D is in the bottom tier of the NFL in terms of yards allowed per game, with 127.3 per contest allowed on average (26th in the NFL), but they do get stubborn at the goal line with just three rushing scores allowed to date. However, Frank Gore and company just demolished the Browns for 39/174/1 rushing last week, one week after the Marshawn Lynch-deprived Seahawks could only get 16/68/0 from their backups at Cleveland.
The Browns signed free agent RB Thomas Clayton on Tuesday to bolster depth at the RB position. He joins recent arrival Chris Ogbonnaya as the replacements for Hillis and Hardesty. Ogbonnaya has posted 14/52/0 rushing with 13 targets for 10/67/0 receiving over the lat three weeks (two games played with Cleveland), and he figures to be the lead back until Hillis and/or Hardesty get well enough to play again.The Texans' rush D is playing solid football this year, currently ranking sixth in the NFL averaging 97.4 yards allowed per game, with six rushing scores given up over eight games played. Jacksonville was limited to 25/84/1 rushing last week; Tennessee eked out 15/53/0 rushing vs. Houston two weeks ago. These guys are playing very well indeed as of November first.
MY PREDICTION: The Cleveland Browns despite the lack of talent on the roster are a well coached team. Colt McCoy has been getting better week to week and I believe we will see a great game from him today. Ogbonnaya is playing against his former team and he will run possessed. I forsee Houston's offense taking a step back against the league's # 2 pass defense. Cleveland is stout in the secondary and against the run they play bend but don't break only allowing 3 rushing td's all year. Houston yes on paper looks to be the better team however 10.5 points is alot to be covering against the Brownies who are hungry for a big win.
CLEVELAND BROWNS +10.5
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