The Houston Texans are presented with quite the opportunity when they take on the Cleveland Browns Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time at FirstEnergy Stadium.
The Texans can make a statement and get a victory over a team that won a playoff game a year ago. Houston can also get its first road win of the season. The Texans can also reach 2-0 for the first time since 2016.
All three of these facts would put together quite the case against the foregone conclusion that the Texans would be the worst team in football in 2021.
Receiver Brandin Cooks, who had five catches for 132 yards in Houston’s 37-21 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium in Week 1, recognizes the opportunity ahead of the Texans.
“I think the biggest thing would be getting the win on the road would be great,” Cooks said. “It’s our first time on the road together in a regular season game. To be able to bring that same energy we have home on the road would be huge if we could come off with a win.”
The Texans’ last road win as an organization was on Thanksgiving last year when Houston knocked off the Detroit Lions 41-25 at Ford Field. After an 0-4 start to the season, the Texans appeared to be putting the pieces back together finally with a 4-7 record and a convincing win wherein all phases of the team were clicking.
Houston could get the same type of reaction if they could beat the Browns, but Cooks don’t go so far as to call it a measuring stick type of game.
“It’s a playoff-caliber team, very talented, and we look forward to going on the road and going to battle,” said Cooks.
Last year, the Browns beat Houston 10-7 in Week 10 at FirstEnergy Stadium. Cooks caught six passes for 39 yards on eight targets.