The Houston Texans got a much needed victory this past Sunday at NRG stadium by defeating the Cleveland Browns 33-17. The Texans got back to their winning ways and got a week off before heading to Seattle to take on the Seahawks. They will need the additional time to get healthy and adjust to the injuries they have suffered on the defensive side of the ball (Whitney Mercilus and JJ Watt are out for the season).

Houston lost linebacker Dylan Cole during the game to a hamstring injury in the second quarter after he intercepted a pass from Browns quarterback Kevin Hogan. Texans Head Coach Bill O’Brien was asked about what it is like to play without the two aforementioned defensive players for the first time. “There’s no way you can replace those guys. So I think it is a matter of scheme, it’s a matter of moving guys around, it’s really trying to stay ahead of the offense with multiple schemes,” said O’Brien.

Houston’s defense dictated the entire game and forced three interceptions as they limited the Browns offense to only 247 total yards and one offensive touchdown. What was more impressive was that through three quarters of play Texans defensive back Jonathan Joseph (82 yard interception for a touchdown) had outscored the entire Browns offense (6-3). It was the first two interceptions in a game for Joseph since 2010 against the Buffalo Bills. The Texans defensive leader remembers that day vividly. “I didn’t even finish the game that day. I suffered a high ankle sprain after I scored and missed the rest of the game,” Joseph said when asked about his last two interceptions day. Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was surprised by the lack of respect for his teammate. “I don’t know why the guy kept throwing it. I don’t think he knew no better. J. Joe is has been in this league like 12 or 13 years and not many people throw at him, but the guy felt like he had to try today and he made him pay twice.”

Rookie Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson gave the Browns a glimpse of what they could have had if they would have drafted him in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. With his latest performance on Sunday that included 225 yards passing, three touchdowns, and one interception, he is showing the rest of the league the same thing. Watson becomes the only rookie quarterback to have three or more touchdowns in three straight games and has 12 touchdowns to only four interceptions for the season. The only mistake he made in the game was an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Browns defensive back Jason McCourty. Watson expressed his feelings about that interception in the post game press conference. “That’s only my second pick-six ever in my lifetime of football. I was pissed off. I hate turning the ball over, so it’s going to stick with me,” Watson said.

The next Texans game will be against one of the stingiest defenses in the league in the Seattle Seahawks. A victory against a super bowl caliber team will give the Texans another look at where they are headed as a franchise.