The Browns defeated the Texans on Sunday, 27-24, to remain unbeaten at home this season. Cleveland improves to 6-4 on the back of its sixth go-ahead fourth quarter scoring drive.
After the Texans jumped out to an early 17-point lead, the Browns' offense orchestrated four unanswered scoring drives to take their first lead of the game at the end of the third quarter. Houston responded early in the fourth quarter with a touchdown, but the Browns did what they've done all season and clawed back. QB Deshaun Watson led his sixth go-ahead fourth quarter scoring drive, as RB Quinshon Judkins found the end zone with under a minute left.
Key Moments
Defense secures game-winning stop
Needing a stop to keep the Texans from tying the game with a field goal, the Browns' defense stood tall. CB Denzel Ward tallied a key pass break-up while S Donovan McMillon followed up with his own on fourth-and-20 to seal the game.
After Houston scored on its first three drives of the game, the Browns held the Texans to just seven points in the second half.
Cleveland mounts go-ahead fourth quarter touchdown drive
Yet again, the Browns found a way in the clutch to come away with a nail-biting win. Cleveland received the ball on Houston's 49-yard line with less than 2 minutes to play and Watson orchestrated his sixth fourth-quarter go-ahead drive this season.
TE Harold Fannin Jr. bulldozed his way to the Texans' 5-yard line on a 30-yard catch-and-run. On the ensuing play, Judkins found the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown run to give the Browns the lead with under a minute remaining.
Houston regains lead early in fourth quarter
The Texans' offense struggled to move the ball to start the second half, recording four straight three-and-outs. On third-and-15 though, a defensive pass interference on CB Myles Harden moved the ball to the Browns' 24-yard line.
QB C.J. Stroud connected with TE Dalton Schultz for an 11-yard touchdown three plays later to give the Texans the lead back. The touchdown marked the first time Houston scored since early in the second quarter.
Browns take lead with four unanswered scoring drives
With their backs against the wall, the Browns' offense battled back with four unanswered scoring drives. On the Browns' first drive of the second quarter, K Andre Szmyt nailed a 49-yard field goal to post the first points of the afternoon for the Browns.
The Browns' offense needed only two plays on their fifth drive to find the end zone for the first time. Watson dropped back in the pocket and uncorked a long pass to WR Jerry Jeudy, who came down with the reception for a 65-yard gain to the Texans' 6-yard line. On the next play, Watson opted to keep the ball on a zone read, finding the end zone for the Browns' first touchdown.
To start the second half, after DE Isaiah McGuire brought down Stroud for Cleveland's first sack of the game on third-and-10 to force a punt, the Browns marched 47 yards on five plays on their ensuing possession. WR KC Concepcion Jr., a week after recording the first touchdown of his career, found the end zone for the second straight game on a handoff from six yards out to tie the game.
The Browns' defense forced a third consecutive three-and-out to start the second half and the offense capitalized on their ensuing offensive drive to take their first lead of the afternoon. Szmyt capped off the 15-play, 74-yard drive by drilling a 26-yard field goal.
Texans jump out to early first half lead
The theme of slow starts continued for the Browns, as Houston led scoring drives on each of its first three possessions of the game to take an early 17-point lead. Stroud went 3-for-3 for 54 yards on the opening drive, capping off the possession with a 12-yard touchdown pass to WR Nico Collins in the end zone.
On their second drive, the Texans continued their momentum, marching 53 yards on eight plays. K Ka'imi Fairbairn converted on a 45-yard field goal to add to Houston's early lead. Stroud finished the first quarter 7 for 8 passing with 127 yards and one touchdown, adding two carries for 18 yards on the ground.
Early in the second quarter, the Texans maintained their strong offensive start to the game. Stroud rolled to his right and found WR Xavier Hutchinson over the middle of the field for an 11-yard touchdown, marking Houston's second in its first three drives.
Video Highlights
TE Harold Fannin Jr. records 17-yard reception to jumpstart Browns' offense.
QB Deshaun Watson scrambles for 20 yards to set Browns up in field goal range.
K Andre Szmyt puts the Browns on the board with 49-yard field goal.
LB Carson Schwesinger brings down WR Tank Dell for a tackle for loss.
QB Deshaun Watson connects with WR Jerry Jeudy for a 65-yard gain to the Texans' 6-yard line.
QB Deshaun Watson uses his legs to find the end zone from six yards out for the Browns' first touchdown of the game.
CB Tyson Campbell records his first interception of the season after picking off a pass intended for WR Nico Collins.
DE Isaiah McGuire records Browns' first sack of the game.
WR KC Concepcion Jr. finds the end zone for second consecutive game on a carry from six yards out.
WR Malachi Corley moves Browns into red zone with a 18-yard reception.
Scoring Plays
CLE 0, HOU 7 | WR Nico Collins 12-yard touchdown reception | 9:29 Q1
CLE 0, HOU 10 | K Ka'imi Fairbairn converts 45-yard field goal | 4:25 Q1
CLE 0, HOU 17 | WR Xavier Hutchinson 11-yard touchdown reception | 11:21 Q2
CLE 3, HOU 17 | K Andre Szmyt makes 49-yard field goal | 9:02 Q2
CLE 10, HOU 17 | QB Deshaun Watson 6-yard touchdown run | 4:12 Q2
CLE 17, HOU 17 | WR KC Concepcion Jr. 6-yard touchdown run | 8:35 Q3
CLE 20, HOU 17 | K Andre Szmyt converts 26-yard field goal | 0:12 Q3
CLE 20, HOU 24 | TE Dalton Schultz 11-yard touchdown reception | 9:17 Q4
CLE 27, HOU 24 | RB Quinshon Judkins 5-yard touchdown run | 0:53 Q4
What's Next
The Browns will have their bye week before taking on the Raiders at Huntington Bank Field on Nov. 29 at 1 p.m.
