The Cleveland Browns continued to sputter to the midway point of the season with little offensive production, losing to the Houston Texans, 30-12.
The Texans took control of the game early, scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter sandwiched around one offensive play by the Browns, a fumble by running back Chris Ogbonnaya. Houston was never threatened again, using a strong ground game to pound the Browns.
The Texans rushed for 261 yards on the day as running backs Arian Foster and Ben Tate took turns gaining big chunks of yards. Foster finished the game with 124 yards and a touchdown while Tate needed just 15 carries to amass 115 yards of his own along with another touchdown.
Josh Cribbs provided the rare highlights for Cleveland including a sensational kickoff return into Houston territory in the first quarter. Colt McCoy and the offense wasn't able to do much with the field position though, having to eventually settle for a Phil Dawson field goal. Cribbs also scored Cleveland's only touchdown, hauling in a short pass from McCoy late in the game.
The loss dropped the Browns to 3-5 on the season as they have now dropped four of their last five games. The Browns desperately need Peyton Hillis back to help the running game and provide a little balance for the offense. Without Hillis today, Ogbonnaya and Thomas Clayton could only muster 38 yards between them on the ground.