Texans' PASSING GAME VS. Browns' PASS DEFENSE

COMMENT: The Texans have the fifth-best passing game in the league with an average of 255.8 yards. Coach Gary Kubiak doesn't want to throw as much as the Texans did before the Indianapolis game, in which they ran for 177 yards. Sage Rosenfels threw one interception against the Colts, but it was on the last series of the game, when the Texans had a chance to win. The Browns play a 3-4. They rank 22nd against the pass, allowing 226.9 yards per game. Nose tackle Shaun Rogers is the key to their defense. He leads the team with 4? sacks, even though he's better at stopping the run than rushing the passer. The idea is for him to tie up two blockers and free up teammates to put pressure on the quarterback. Alex Hall, an outside linebacker who comes off the bench, has three sacks. The Browns have a talented secondary led by safeties Brodney Pool and Sean Jones. Cornerbacks Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald should have their hands full with receivers Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter and tight end Owen Daniels.

ADVANTAGE

Texans' RUNNING GAME VS. Browns' RUN DEFENSE

COMMENT: The Texans are coming off a 177-yard performance at Indianapolis, including 156 by rookie Steve Slaton. The coaches believe that if they run more and throw less, they'll have fewer interceptions, which makes sense. The Texans are 15th in rushing, averaging 114.3 yards. The Browns are 27th in run defense, surrendering 145.2. It's no secret they'll try to run Slaton between the tackles, which means center Chris Myers will need help from guards Chester Pitts and Mike Brisiel in trying to control nose tackle Shaun Rogers, who's listed at 350 but may weigh another 25 pounds. If Slaton runs away from Rogers, the Texans might get him winded. If they don't, he can be a controlling force in the middle. Linebackers D'Qwell Jackson and Andre Davis, who play inside, are the leading tacklers in the Browns' 3-4 scheme. Strong safety Sean Jones also is a force against the run. Their problem has been a lack of consistency in run defense.

ADVANTAGE

When the Browns have the ball

Texans' PASS DEFENSE VS. Browns' PASSING GAME

COMMENT: Brady Quinn makes his third start at quarterback for the Browns, including Monday's victory at Buffalo. He has two touchdown passes and no interceptions and is going to improve every week. The coaches and players love him. He works hard and is eager to learn. He's respected in the dressing room and is also a fan favorite. The Texans don't disguise coverages or blitz a lot, but defensive coordinator Richard Smith should change his strategy to confuse Quinn and to put some pressure on him. The best one-on-one matchup is going to be left tackle Joe Thomas vs. right defensive end Mario Williams. Because Thomas is so good, the Browns don't figure to use two blockers to slow Williams. They will keep a back in to chip him if Thomas needs help. The Texans have 17 sacks. Williams has eight, but he's been shut out in three consecutive games. If the Texans don't get a pass rush against Quinn, their defensive backs are going to get beat.

ADVANTAGE

Texans' RUN DEFENSE VS. Browns' RUNNING GAME

COMMENT: The Texans rank 22nd in defense (343.3), including 17th against the run (132.5). The Browns are 27th in offense (281.4), including 22nd rushing (101.0). In the loss to the Colts, the run defense was at its worst, allowing a third consecutive 100-yard performance. Joseph Addai followed Willis McGahee and Adrian Peterson as backs rushing for at least 100 yards against the Texans. The Texans have played solid run defense in the first half, but they get bulldozed in the second half. Expect the Browns to follow the Colts' lead and pound Jamal Lewis between the tackles. He averages 3.6 yards a carry. Jerome Harrison, who has good speed, is a nice change of pace. Lawrence Vickers is a solid lead blocker. If the Texans have to resort to an eight-man front to stop Lewis, expect Brady Quinn to go down the field to Braylon Edwards.

SPECIAL TEAMS

COMMENT: If this game comes down to a field goal, it's going to be decided by two of the best. Kris Brown is 14-of-14, one shy of his career-best streak. Phil Dawson just kicked five field goals, including a 56-yarder, in the victory at Buffalo. He's 22-of-24, including 19-of-19 inside the 50. Brown has been kicking off well, too. The Texans' coverage teams have been good, as have the Browns'. Cleveland return specialist Josh Cribbs is one of the league's best, but this season, he hasn't been as good as Jacoby Jones on punt returns. Jones averages 14.4 yards and has two touchdowns. Cribbs averages 9.0 and is at his best on kickoff returns. He averages 26.9 yards and has one touchdown. Dave Zastudil has a 44.3-yard gross and a 38.8 net. Matt Turk has a 43.5-yard gross and a 36.9 net. He has eight inside the 20 and four touchbacks.When the Texans have the ballTexans' passing game vs. Browns' pass defense

ADVANTAGE

COACHING

COMMENT: Romeo Crennel has a 23-34 record in four seasons with the Browns. His best record was 10-6 last season, but they failed to make the playoffs when they lost a tiebreaker with Tennessee. After his second season and again this season, Crennel has been the target of fans' wrath. They want Bill Cowher, who played and coached for the Browns under Marty Schottenheimer. Crennel must make the Browns a perennial playoff team to keep the pro-Cowher contingent off his back. Gary Kubiak is 17-25 in his third season. He's trying to get the Texans turned around in their last six games. They haven't won on the road in more than a year and have a three-game losing streak. Many are howling for defensive coordinator Richard Smith to be fired, but Kubiak won't do it during the season.

ADVANTAGE

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John McClain's prediction

BROWN 26

TEXAN 24