The Houston Texans were expecting nice things under the Christmas tree this year. Something that would improve their regular season record and potentially put them in sole possession of the AFC South by the end of the day.
Yet, when they unwrapped their gift from the Cleveland Browns, it was a lump of coal attached to a 36-22 loss. The way the Texans performed on Sunday looked more as if the Grinch himself had on a helmet.
“Anytime your team goes out and performs like that to start, it just wasn’t good enough,” said Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans. “You try to figure out why it wasn’t good enough. Felt like we had a good week of preparation. We were on. We knew what we had to do to win the game, and that was eliminate the explosive passes.”
That strategy did not resonate with the defense as they gave up a 53-yard pass completion from Browns veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, who earlier this season was looking to become a football analyst and was out of the NFL, to wide receiver Amari Cooper on the first play from scrimmage.
With an already depleted lineup, the Texans lost defensive end Jonathan Greenard, cornerback Steven Nelson (he returned to the game later), and safety Jimmie Ward, three starters, all in the first quarter. Add that to missing rookie defensive end Will Anderson Jr. and starting linebacker Blake Cashman. You have the combination of Flacco (368 yards passing-3 TDs) and Cooper (15 receptions-268 yards-2 TDs) looking like they were playing catch in the backyard.
“I felt very confident that I could get, you know, 300 [yards receiving], I’m not going to lie to you,” Cooper said after the game. “But it was cool. It was cool. I’m glad we got the W.”
“Before we have an opportunity to talk about a playoff or get in, we've got to play better,” Coach Ryans said when asked about the postseason. “You have to earn those spots to get into the playoffs.” #Texans #Sarge @TheTexansWire pic.twitter.com/Wl5J2s81L9
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) December 26, 2023
The defensive side of the ball wasn’t the only one missing a key element. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud missed his second consecutive game as he did not clear concussion protocol. Houston was forced to put journeyman Case Keenum back under center, and unlike the previous success he had a week prior in a win over the Tennessee Titans, Keenum looked lethargic at times and was unable to get any ball movement against the Brown’s defense that ranks No. 1 in total defense in the NFL.
Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik couldn’t draw up enough plays to get the Texans’ offense past midfield in the first half, and they reached the Browns’ territory for the first time in the third quarter.
Keenum could only muster up 62 yards of passing on the day and was replaced by quarterback Davis Mills, who led Houston on two late scoring drives.
“It’s very frustrating,” said Keenum. “We felt like we had a great plan going in. I thought the coaches did a great job planning and trying to get the right plays and the right situations. We just didn’t do enough today. We got our butts kicked. And that’s never fun. Hadn’t had it like that in a while.”
The Texans still control their playoff destiny if they win their next two games against the Titans and Indianapolis Colts. If they do and the Jacksonville Jaguars lose one of their remaining two games, Houston will be AFC South Champions.
“Before we have an opportunity to talk about a playoff or get in, we’ve got to play better,” Ryans said, when asked about the postseason. “You have to earn those spots to get into the playoffs. So, if we go and play better and earn a spot, then we can talk about possibly the playoff race and what does that look like. But, until then, we’ve got to do a much better job collectively.”