Texans Lead Browns 17-10 At Halftime

Slow starts have followed the Browns all season, and they showed up again Sunday. With Deshaun Watson back under center and a chance to snap a 2-game losing streak at home, Cleveland needed a sharp opening against the Houston Texans. Instead, the Browns found themselves in a hole before they scored. They have clawed back since then, and the game is very much within reach

The Texans lead the Browns 17-10 at halftime at Huntington Bank Field.

halftime at Huntington Bank Field pic.twitter.com/p41ZRyWL2O

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 15, 2026

Houston came out firing. CJ Stroud found Nico Collins for a 12-yard touchdown midway through the 1st quarter, and Ka’imi Fairbairn added a 45-yard field goal. Stroud then hit Xavier Hutchinson for an 11-yard score early in the 2nd quarter to make it 17-0.

The Browns finally answered. Andre Szmyt connected from 49 yards, and Watson capped the next drive by scrambling around the right end for a 6-yard touchdown with 4:12 left in the half.

Watson has been the Browns’ best weapon so far. He is 8 of 15 for 126 yards through the air and leads the team on the ground with 39 yards on 5 carries, including a 20-yard run. Jerry Jeudy made the biggest play of the half with a 65-yard catch, a week after his key grab in New Orleans. Harold Fannin Jr. has 3 catches for 32 yards, and Denzel Boston is playing through his toe injury with 1 catch for 16 yards.

The run game is still stuck. Quinshon Judkins has 11 yards on 3 carries, and Dylan Sampson has 3 yards on 2 carries.

Stroud has been efficient against the Browns’ man coverage. He is 15 of 19 for 190 yards with 2 touchdowns, and Collins has been his favorite target with 8 catches for 92 yards on 10 targets.

There has been one big defensive play. Tyson Campbell intercepted Stroud, giving the Browns their only takeaway of the half. Carson Schwesinger leads the team with 9 tackles, and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and Quincy Williams each have 7.

The numbers explain the deficit. Houston has 16 first downs to Cleveland’s 7 and has held the ball for 19:28 compared with 10:32 for the Browns. Cleveland is just 1 of 5 on 3rd down.

There is good news, though. The Browns have not committed a single penalty after leading the league in flags, and Watson has not been sacked. Both teams are averaging more than 7 yards per play, so the Browns can move the ball when they stay on the field.

Every Browns win this season has come down to the final minutes. If the defense can get a few stops, Watson will have time for another comeback.