The Cleveland Browns, led by quarterback Joe Flacco and Defensive Player of the Year candidate Myles Garrett, have a chance to get their tenth win of the year and hit double-digit wins for the second time in four years under Kevin Stefanski. It would be the 36th win under Stefanski for reference the Browns won 37 games total from 2011-2019 before hiring Stefanski. They will head to Houston to take on the Texans who may be without both of their talented first-round rookies.
Jim Schwartz’s defense has struggled on the road recently and after two back-to-back great games at home, they have to show up on Sunday. If C.J. Stroud can’t go it will be old friend Case Keenum who found a way to do just enough for the Texans to win last week.
Beating the Texans would give Cleveland more room in the Wild Card as it will help them in the tiebreaker areas moving forward. The Browns will be almost guaranteed a spot if they get this win on Sunday, they can even punch their ticket in time for Christmas.
Joe Flacco continues hot streak and throws for 300 yards again
As Joe Flacco and his pass catchers continue to develop chemistry he should put up better numbers and limit the mistakes due to poor connection. You always hear about quarterbacks and wide receivers being on the same page in clutch situations and that only comes with reps and time together.
Flacco has had several turnovers that occurred due to him thinking his teammate would run a different route than they did and he was throwing to a spot he thought they would be in. He is such a good rhythm player who is almost always on time with throwing to an open area trusting his guy will be there.
The chemistry will grow and it result in an even more efficient and productive passing game.
Myles Garrett breaks his sackless streak with 2.5 in Houston
Though it doesn’t show up in the stat list Myles Garrett has been fantastic the last two games. He hasn’t had a sack in a while but he totaled 11 pressures on the quarterback against the Bears last week. It bothers Garrett as so many value the sack numbers or they don’t believe a pass rusher is getting it done and he likely wants to snap the streak this week.
If Case Keenum is the starter the matchup is in Garrett’s value as he doesn’t offer much of a threat of using his legs to extend plays and get yards on the ground. All of his coaches have pled his case for Defensive Player of the Year this week and a massive performance could be brewing.
David Njoku will continue to feast with another 100 yard game
The epic breakout season for David Njoku has been fun to watch as he has already set career highs in just about every receiving statistic. He is growing as a leader and has shown how all the hard work he has put him in a position to succeed so consistently. Njoku is one of the most complete tight ends in football as a great run and pass blocker.
Using Njoku to create misdirection and deception keeping him in to block and then leaking him out in the open field for easy completions. He is number one among all tight ends in yards after the catch with nearly 500 yards per reception. That will continue this week with another 100-yard game as he tries to get 1,000 yards in 2023.
