For the first time in 2022, the Cleveland Browns have won back-to-back games after beating the Houston Texans on the road. Now sitting at 5-7 on the season, the Browns will need to rattle off at least four of their last five, including three against divisional rivals if they want to see that slight chance of the playoffs improve. First on that list is the Cincinnati Bengals as they travel down I-71 South next week.
Before we get ahead of ourselves, however, this win over the Texans deserves some love. It was not pretty, but the defense and special teams carried the Browns to victory in this Week 13 matchup.
Here are some of the best pictures from this Browns’ victory.
Deshaun Watson returns for Browns
Dec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) jogs off the field after the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) runs against the Houston Texans in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) calls an audible against the Houston Texans in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks for an open receiver during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) on the bench during the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) huddles against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) shouts on the field before the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) walks off the field after turning the ball over against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) at the line of scrimmage during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) attempts a pass as Houston Texans cornerback Tavierre Thomas (2) attempts to make a tackle during the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Tony Fields had a career day
Dec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Tony Fields II (42) reacts after returning an interception for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Chase Winovich (69) celebrates linebacker Tony Fields II (42) interception return for a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Tony Fields II (42) returns an interception for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Tony Fields II (42) reacts after returning an interception for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Defense came up big vs. Texans
Dec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) smiles with cornerback A.J. Green (38) after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns safety John Johnson III (43) reacts towards the crowd after a play during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) attempts to make a touchdown reception during the second quarter as Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) defends at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Troy Hairston (34) is hit by Cleveland Browns safety Grant Delpit (22) while attempting to make a reception during the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Deion Jones (54) celebrates with safety Grant Delpit (22) after a play during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans tight end Teagan Quitoriano (84) has the ball bounce off his body and is intercepted by Cleveland Browns safety John Johnson III (43) in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (31) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Kareem Hunt was a battering ram on the ground
Dec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) runs with the ball as Houston Texans defensive tackle Kurt Hinish (93) attempts to make a tackle during the third quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) rushes against Houston Texans defensive end Rasheem Green (92) in the third quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) leaps with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) breaks the tackle of Houston Texans linebacker Jake Hansen (49) in the third quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
A look at Donovan Peoples-Jones' punt return touchdown
Dec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) celebrates with guard Wyatt Teller (77) after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns special teams player Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) breaks the tackle of Houston Texans linebacker Garret Wallow (32) and returns a punt for a touchdown in the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) throws the ball after returning a punt for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
A look at the fans in the stadium
Dec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns fans wearing elf ears eat nachos as the Browns play against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns fans watch play against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; A Cleveland Browns fan reacts to a Houston Texans fan during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; A Cleveland Browns fan motions first down against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
The best of the rest
Dec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (78) and Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) smile on the field after the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) leaves the game on a cart during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (34) leaps with the ball as Houston Texans linebacker Jake Hansen (49) attempts to make a tackle during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) is tackled by Houston Texans cornerback Steven Nelson (21) and linebacker Christian Harris (48) in the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) is tackled by Houston Texans cornerback Steven Nelson (21) and linebacker Christian Harris (48) in the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) warms up before the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
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