The Browns were favored to win against this expansion team, and, after losing three straight, they absolutely needed this home game to save their season. Surviving a mediocre first half and a banged-up secondary, the Browns found a way to get the job done. These were the keys:
1)Superior special teams. Andre Davis’ 95-yard TD kickoff return gave them a huge boost in the third quarter after the secondary had just gotten burned on a trick play. Time after time, huge hits on dangerous return man Jermaine Lewis rallied the crowd and kept the field position in the Browns’ favor. Chris Akins, Michael Jameson, Brant Boyer, and Lewis Sanders each had big-time tackles on Lewis. Chris Gardocki had four punts inside the 20 and no touchbacks. And Phil Dawson’s 43-yard field goal late in the game meant the Texans had to score twice, putting them in desperation mode.
2)Rejuvenated rush. After going some 14 quarters without sacking a quarterback, the Browns broke through nine times. Some well-timed blitzes helped stall Carr’s drives in the first half, and strong efforts by Mark Word and Tyrone Rogers helped seal the deal late.
3)Mistake-free ball control. I still wish the Browns would spread the field and mix up the play calling more often. But at least there were no interceptions, no fumbles, and only one sack allowed. A fourth-and-four completion to Dennis Northcutt was clutch, as the next play was the touchdown to Quincy Morgan that put the Browns up for good.
