Week 12 of the Cleveland Browns 2022 NFL season has been circled by many for the reason that season began. The workforce will get QB Deshaun Watson behind heart for the primary time since buying the star in an enormous commerce this offseason.
For the Browns, turning the web page from their Week 12 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can be an fascinating job. Jacoby Brissett helped lead an enormous comeback over Tom Brady and the additional time victory however now takes a backseat to Watson.
For this week’s StoryStream piece for the Browns versus Houston Texans (the place you’ll find something and every little thing we cowl about this week’s sport in a single place), we glance to show that web page as properly. A number of leftover ideas from final week’s victory and some early notes looking forward to the sport in Houston:
Cleveland’s final large win got here on Halloween Night time towards the Cincinnati Bengals. Regardless of having a bye week, the workforce got here out and obtained eviscerated by Miami and struggled mightily towards Buffalo earlier than a late comeback made the rating nearer than the sport actually was.
Even their Thursday Night time Soccer victory over Pittsburgh was adopted by 4 straight losses.
Now, after beating the best of all time (GOAT) in most individuals’s opinion, will the Browns experience the wave into the next sport or stall their momentum shortly?
Cleveland’s protection has been dangerous towards the run many of the 12 months. Regardless of that, the Bucs ran the ball simply 20 instances, together with one rush by Brady, for beneath 100 yards whereas throwing the ball 43 instances.
Did DC Joe Woods make such nice changes that Tampa Bay determined it wasn’t value it to run the ball? Was the absence of Leonard Fournette simply an excessive amount of for them to really feel snug dashing extra typically?
If the Browns protection has figured it out towards the run, 6-0 or 5-1 may very well be potential to complete out the 12 months. If the Bucs failures led to the poor output, it may be robust to beat even Houston.
With out Ethan Pocic and with others scuffling with nagging accidents, Cleveland’s offense actually struggled in Week 12. Nick Chubb wanted 26 carries to get to 116 yards and the offense didn’t rating some extent within the final three quarters till David Njoku’s wonderful catch with 32 seconds left within the sport.
Watson’s expertise is clear however he’s returning after not enjoying a snap for nearly two seasons. Will his return set the offense again much more or will his expertise assist take it to the subsequent degree instantly?
Beneath 300 complete yards in regulation isn’t going to get it finished fairly often within the NFL. The offense has been enjoying at an elite degree however that was not true in Week 12. What occurs this week towards the Texans?
Garrett performed nearer late in Week 12 towards the Bucs:
Sadly, he may barely carry his arm after the sport. Will he be capable of play this week towards Houston? Is it within the workforce’s finest curiosity to relaxation him this week to get him prepared for back-to-back AFC North video games? Would these video games even matter in the event that they lose in Week 13?
Garrett’s well being going into the weekend can be a giant story.
As we’ve talked about and would be the large story, Watson’s return to the NFL additionally comes towards his former workforce, one which he demanded a commerce from. It additionally comes within the metropolis he known as dwelling to start out his NFL profession.
Watson discuss, each on and off-the-field associated, will lead most media protection this week and going into early subsequent week. How does he reply when he will get on the sphere? What about his teammates who confirmed simply how a lot they love Brissett? How will the workforce’s offense be completely different with him beneath heart?
So many questions that can solely get answered after we get to Week 13.
As we ramp as much as this week’s Browns vs Texans, turning the web page from Week 12, we could have all of the protection lined up proper right here for you. Test again each day for something and every little thing associated to this week’s contest together with accidents, betting strains and a lot extra.