Kevin Hogan Set To Make First Career Start As Browns Take On The Houston Texans Sunday

By: Tim Whelan

The Cleveland Browns will head to Houston to take on the 2-3 Texans. Kevin Hogan will make his first career NFL start. Hogan will become the 28th starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns since 1999. Kevin Hogan was a undrafted quarterback from Stanford, originally signed by the Kansas City Chiefs. He was let go and later joined the Browns during the 2016 season.

3 Keys For A Browns Victory:

1. Slowing Down Deshaun Watson – When it comes to talking about a quarterback having the “it” factor, Watson fits that definition perfectly. The Texans are 2-2 since naming Deshaun Watson the starting quarterback. Watson was drafted 12th overall by the Houston Texans. The Texans traded up to the Browns pick to draft the star quarterback out of Clemson.  Watson could possibly display to the Browns why they should have drafted the former National Champion. Although Watson is a 62.1 completion percentage passer, he has 12 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. Watson has also rushed for 179 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Browns currently have the number 5 defense in the NFL.  For the Browns, they’ll have to find ways to slow down the ultra-talented rookie quarterback.
2. Sustaining Drives – The Browns have struggled to move the ball all season long. But when once back-up quarterback Kevin Hogan was in the game, the Browns were moving the ball. The Browns will need yet another huge performance from Duke Johnson Jr., David Njoku, and others to move the ball consistently.
3. Kevin Hogan – The undrafted second year quarterback out of Stanford will make his first NFL start. For Kevin Hogan, this is a chance for him to prove that he can be more than just a back-up quarterback. For Head Coach Hue Jackson, he knows he needs Kevin Hogan to help propel the Browns to their first victory on the season as the hot seat continues to heat up. Kevin Hogan will have to continue to move the ball like he did as a back-up. But he had a full week of preparation and so have the Texans. We’ll see how Hogan can handle this opportunity.

Notable Injuries:

Browns – LB James Burgess (Knee, Doubtful), WR Kenny Britt (Knee/Groin, Questionable), OL Shon Coleman (Knee, Questionable), C, JC Tretter (Knee, Questionable)

Texans – LB Ben Heeney (Knee, Out), DB Kevin Johnson (Knee, Out), OL Greg Mancz (Knee, Questionable), LB Benardrick McKinney (Hip, Questionable), DB Corey Moore (Concussion, OUT), RB Jordan Todman (Calf, Out)

Linebacker Whitney Mercilus and Defensive End JJ Watt are out for the season.

Kickoff is 1 pm on CBS. Houston Texans are a -9.0 favorite at home.