WEEK 10 AFC PLAYOFF LEVERAGE
We have an unofficial playoff game! Texans-Browns
We have an absolutely massive divisional game!! Bengals-Steelers. Wow is this game important
@TexansCommenter Pittsburg was converting over 80% of 3rd and 3 or less by going spread and handing off on draws out of shotgun. Instead of jumbo, spread the D out and put them in a number bind.
#HOUvsCLE officiating crew cheat sheet
HOME teams are 38-18 SU (68%) , including 5-2 SU in 2026, in head referee Alan Eck's career
Cleveland ranks as the No.1 penalized team in the #NFL , & are top 5 penalties for FALSE START & OFFENSIVE HOLDING
The #Browns won in spite of excessive penalties early on, but long-term these setbacks catch up to you
A league leading 60% of Browns penalties are committed in the 1ST HALF of contests
The Texans were a top 10 penalized team for OFF-HOLD early in season but have improved in recent weeks
Houston & Cleveland are top 5 penalized on SPECIAL TEAMS
The #Texans offense a TOP 3 BENEFICIARY of AUTOMATIC 1st DOWNS via penalty, primarily via DEFENSIVE PASS INTERFERENCE & DEFENSIVE HOLDING
Alan Eck's crew has shown a willingness to throw flags on defenses, ranking a top five crew in defensive penalties
That has resulted in this crew awarding AUTO 1st downs at a higher rate,ranking 3rd in per game avg, primarily awarding D.P.I & ROUGHING THE PASSER (rank top 3 in both categories)
The @Browns defense is a below average penalized unit so it will be interesting to see how its called on Sunday
The return of Deshaun Watson vs his old team adds additional intrigue to what is a defacto playoff game
Ive been bullish on the @Browns when they play at HOME, especially this week given Eck's assignment to the game
However, I do think the @HoustonTexans are the team to watch in the AFC, & are relatively healthy + gaining momentum going into the business end of the season
My lean is to the Browns +4.5 pts but the penalties concern me & not sure Cleveland has the offensive firepower to hang w' Houston if it gets into a shootout
Bottom line its a season defining 5 day stretch for Houston w' Cleveland then the Colts on TNF
If they get through that stretch 2-0 this is the team to watch in the AFC
#DawgPound #HTownMade
One of the best parts of this is seeing Boutte excited for Nico not know that the very next drive he would be scoring and it would be Nico leading the way for him down the sideline.