The Houston Texans put together an impressive first half against the Cleveland Browns, who are starting their former quarterback for the first time in the 2022 season. The 1-9-1 Texans came into this game as heavy underdogs, and have managed to keep the momentum in their favor through two quarters.
It will take a solid effort in the second half to close out this game and come away with their second win of the season, and Houston has adjustments to make at halftime.
Here are our thoughts on the Texans’ Week 13 performance through the first two quarters:
Crazy interception ruined Kyle Allen's stat line
Kyle Allen has played a reasonably good half for the Texans in this game, but the improbable interception that came off the hands of rookie tight end Teagan Quitoriano made his first-half stat line look worse than it should’ve. He has completed just over half of his passes for 101 yards at halftime, and without the pick could’ve had an average passer rating.
Instead, his 45.7 mark sticks out like a sore thumb on the stat sheet. If he can manage one or two scores in the second half, and the Texans’ defense holds up its end of the bargain, this matchup could be in for a very interesting finish.
Stellar defensive effort leads the way for Texans
Houston’s defense has dominated the former Texans’ quarterback in this matchup and scored two of the team’s first five points with a safety in the fourth quarter. Their pass rush has hassled Cleveland’s quarterback and though they have not recorded a sack, their pressure helped Jalen Pitre force an interception in the second quarter.
They have not allowed a point in this game, and are cruising heading into the second half where they’ll look to finish what they’ve started against Cleveland to secure the second victory of their 2022 campaign.
Only scores of the game have been on special teams and defense
Neither offense has been able to make anything happen so far, and all points have been scored by either the special teams or defense. Houston’s five points were scored on a safety and a field goal off the leg of Ka’imi Fairbairn, while Cleveland’s seven came on a punt returned for a touchdown in the second quarter. The return of the Texans’ former franchise quarterback was the most talked about storyline heading into this offense, and he has made very little impact on this game.
Houston will need to keep the pressure on and limit its mistakes in the third phase of the game to stay competitive with the Browns in the second half.
