HOUSTON — A Christmas miracle was not in the works for the Houston Texans, who sustained a 36-22 loss to the Cleveland Browns Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium. Although the Texans dropped to 8-7 following a 14-point defeat, the final score did not justify Houston’s horrific performance. The Texans’ defense allowed the Browns to score on the opening drive within the first two minutes. And before quarterback Davis Mills replaced Case Keenum midway through the fourth quarter, the Texans trailed Cleveland 36-7. As great of a year coach DeMeco Ryans has had at the helm in Houston, he took full responsibility for the Texans’ horrendous play.
“We have to play better, and it starts with me,” Ryans said. “I have to coach better. Obviously, we were not good enough today. I have to do better. And we have to play better…It just wasn’t good enough. You try to figure out why it wasn’t good enough.” Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans talks send in a play with linebacker Denzel Perryman against the Cleveland Browns in the second half at NRG Stadium.Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Spots Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Spots Houston played its second consecutive game without the services of C.J. Stroud, who remained in concussion protocol following the Texans’ Week 14 defeat to the New York Jets. Despite an impressive victory the week before, the Texans had arguably their worst offensive performance of the season. They finished with 250 yards, with the majority of Houston’s success coming in the fourth quarter. Mills led the Texans with 149 yards and two touchdowns after replacing Keenum, who finished with 62 passing yards and two interceptions as Stroud’s replacement.
