Final2021 Week 2

Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, OH

Houston Texans vs Cleveland Browns, Week 2 2021

Houston Texans

Away

21

Cleveland Browns

HomeWon

31

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Texans770721
Browns7710731

HOU 21CLE 31 Final

  • Passing leader

    Baker Mayfield

    CLE · QB

    18.5PPR pts

    19/21, 213 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT, 1 RUSH TD

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Brandin Cooks

    HOU · WR

    22.8PPR pts

    9 REC, 78 YDS, 1 TD

  • Texans leader

    Tyrod Taylor

    HOU · QB

    16.5PPR pts

    10/11, 125 YDS, 1 TD, 1 RUSH TD

  • Defensive playmaker

    Malcolm Smith

    CLE

    1 INT, 8 TKL

Browns 31, Texans 21: Cleveland beats Houston

Cleveland broke a 14–14 halftime tie, outscoring Houston 17–7 after the break to win 31–21. The Browns finished with a 355–302 edge in total offense and averaged 6.2 yards per play.

The Texans went 8-for-14 on third down and committed two turnovers, while the Browns kept the ball for 35:05.

The two teams meet again in Week 10 of 2026. If you roster anyone from either side, run the start/sit call in Redraft Command and it will weigh your lineup, your opponent and your league scoring, not only the player rankings.

Key advantages

  • +1.0 yards/play CLE 6.2 · HOU 5.2
  • +53 total yards CLE 355 · HOU 302
  • +10:10 time of possession CLE 35:05 · HOU 24:55

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

Got a Texan or Brown on your fantasy team?

Check their next matchup with the Start/Sit Tool, compare their value in the Fantasy Trade Calculator, or connect your league for personalized advice in Redraft Command.

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Why the Browns Won

Cleveland won the efficiency and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Texans vs Browns
TexansStatBrowns
5.2Yards per play6.2
302Total yards355
24:55Time of possession35:05
Other team stats
58Plays57
2Turnovers2
57%Third-down conversion44%

Scoring Summary

The Browns scored four touchdowns and one field goal; the Texans scored three touchdowns.

Scoring plays, Texans vs Browns
TimeTeamPlayHOUCLE
1st quarter
9:56CLEAndy Janovich 1-yard TD run Takes leadChase McLaughlin XP07
5:18HOUTyrod Taylor → Phillip Lindsay, 22-yard TD Ties gameJoey Slye XP77
2nd quarter
7:06HOUTyrod Taylor 15-yard TD run Takes leadJoey Slye XP147
1:14CLEBaker Mayfield 5-yard TD run Ties gameChase McLaughlin XP1414
3rd quarter
7:50CLEBaker Mayfield → Demetric Felton, 33-yard TD Takes leadChase McLaughlin XP1421
4:40CLEChase McLaughlin 30-yard FG Extends lead1424
4th quarter
11:32HOUDavis Mills → Brandin Cooks, 2-yard TDJoey Slye XP2124
5:52CLENick Chubb 26-yard TD run Extends leadChase McLaughlin XP2131

Fantasy Points: Texans vs Browns, Week 2 2021

Fantasy leaders

  1. Brandin CooksHOUWR22.8 PTSWR8
  2. Baker MayfieldCLEQB17.5 PTSQB19
  3. Nick ChubbCLERB16.8 PTSRB13
  4. Tyrod TaylorHOUQB16.5 PTSQB22

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Baker MayfieldCLEQB17.5QB1919/21213118101105.0Start/Sit →
Tyrod TaylorHOUQB16.5QB2210/11125101151144.3Start/Sit →
Davis MillsHOUQB6.0QB338/18102112-1058.1Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Brandin CooksHOUWR22.8WR8WR———149781Start/Sit →
Nick ChubbCLERB16.8RB13RB119511130
Demetric FeltonCLERB12.1RB20RB———22511
Phillip LindsayHOURB9.4RB29RB52011221
Austin HooperCLETE9.0TE14TE———55400Start/Sit →
Harrison BryantCLETE8.9TE16TE———44490
David JohnsonHOURB6.7RB41RB625022220
Kareem HuntCLERB6.3RB43RB135101120
Mark IngramHOURB5.0RB47RB1441021-10
Rashard HigginsCLEWR4.7WR74WR———22270
Nico CollinsHOUWR4.2WR82WR———11320Start/Sit →
David NjokuCLETE3.8TE30TE———32180
Jordan AkinsHOUTE2.7TE42TE———21170
Chris ConleyHOUWR2.3WR97WR———21130
Danny AmendolaHOUWR1.9WR100WR———1190
Jarvis LandryCLEWR1.9WR101WR———1190
Andre RobertsHOUWR1.5WR108WR———21350
Pharaoh BrownHOUTE0.0—TE———1000
Anthony SchwartzCLEWR0.0—WR———1000
Donovan Peoples-JonesCLEWR-0.6—WR———11140

Fantasy Usage

Houston Texans

Snap Share

  1. Brandin CooksWR56 snaps92%
  2. Chris ConleyWR55 snaps90%
  3. Pharaoh BrownTE38 snaps62%
  4. Jordan AkinsTE38 snaps62%
  5. David JohnsonRB26 snaps43%

Target Share28 targets

  1. Brandin Cooks50%, 14 targets
  2. Andre Roberts7%, 2 targets
  3. Mark Ingram7%, 2 targets
  4. Chris Conley7%, 2 targets
  5. David Johnson7%, 2 targets
  6. Other21%, 6 targets

Carry Share28 carries

  1. Mark Ingram50%, 14 carries
  2. David Johnson21%, 6 carries
  3. Phillip Lindsay18%, 5 carries
  4. Davis Mills7%, 2 carries
  5. Tyrod Taylor4%, 1 carries

Cleveland Browns

Snap Share

  1. Donovan Peoples-JonesWR46 snaps75%
  2. Rashard HigginsWR43 snaps70%
  3. Austin HooperTE42 snaps69%
  4. David NjokuTE36 snaps59%
  5. Nick ChubbRB35 snaps57%

Target Share21 targets

  1. Austin Hooper24%, 5 targets
  2. Harrison Bryant19%, 4 targets
  3. David Njoku14%, 3 targets
  4. Rashard Higgins10%, 2 targets
  5. Demetric Felton10%, 2 targets
  6. Other24%, 5 targets

Carry Share32 carries

  1. Kareem Hunt41%, 13 carries
  2. Nick Chubb34%, 11 carries
  3. Baker Mayfield25%, 8 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Brandin CooksHOUWR5692%1450%0
Chris ConleyHOUWR5590%27%0
Donovan Peoples-JonesCLEWR4675%15%0
Rashard HigginsCLEWR4370%210%0
Austin HooperCLETE4269%524%0
Pharaoh BrownHOUTE3862%14%0
Jordan AkinsHOUTE3862%27%0
David NjokuCLETE3659%314%0
Nick ChubbCLERB3557%15%11
Harrison BryantCLETE3151%419%0
Anthony SchwartzCLEWR3049%15%0
David JohnsonHOURB2643%27%6
Kareem HuntCLERB2338%15%13
Andre RobertsHOUWR2236%27%0
Mark IngramHOURB1931%27%14
Phillip LindsayHOURB1423%14%5
Danny AmendolaHOUWR1220%14%0
Rex BurkheadHOURB1118%00%0
Antony AuclairHOUTE1016%00%0
D'Ernest JohnsonCLERB35%00%0
Demetric FeltonCLERB35%210%0
Jarvis LandryCLEWR23%15%0
Nico CollinsHOUWR23%14%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

  • Biggest overperformer+11.0Tyrod Taylor16.5 PTS vs 5.5 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−7.4Mark Ingram II5.0 PTS vs 12.4 xFP
  • Highest expected volume23.6 xFPBrandin Cooks22.8 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Brandin CooksHOU · WR22.823.6−0.892%50% tgt—000%1450%
Baker MayfieldCLE · QB18.514.4+4.1100%21 att—21824%00%
Mark Ingram IIHOU · RB5.012.4−7.431%50% car—01450%27%
Kareem HuntCLE · RB6.310.0−3.738%38% car—01338%15%
Davis MillsHOU · QB7.09.2−2.257%18 att—1827%00%
Nick ChubbCLE · RB16.88.7+8.157%32% car—01132%15%
Austin HooperCLE · TE9.08.4+0.669%24% tgt—000%524%
David JohnsonHOU · —6.77.2−0.543%21% car—0621%27%
Harrison BryantCLE · TE8.96.7+2.251%19% tgt—000%419%
Tyrod TaylorHOU · QB16.55.5+11.043%11 att—1114%00%
David NjokuCLE · TE3.85.1−1.359%14% tgt—000%314%
Phillip LindsayHOU · RB9.44.9+4.523%18% car—0518%14%
Andre RobertsHOU · WR2.53.4−0.936%7% tgt—000%27%
Chris ConleyHOU · WR2.33.4−1.190%7% tgt—000%27%
Demetric FeltonCLE · RB13.13.4+9.75%10% tgt—000%210%
Jordan AkinsHOU · TE2.73.4−0.762%7% tgt—000%27%
Rashard HigginsCLE · WR4.73.4+1.370%10% tgt—000%210%
Anthony SchwartzCLE · WR0.01.7−1.749%5% tgt—000%15%
Danny AmendolaHOU · WR1.91.7+0.220%4% tgt—000%14%
Donovan Peoples-JonesCLE · WR0.41.7−1.375%5% tgt—000%15%
Jarvis LandryCLE · WR1.91.7+0.23%5% tgt—000%15%
Nico CollinsHOU · WR4.21.7+2.53%4% tgt—000%14%
Pharaoh BrownHOU · TE0.01.7−1.762%4% tgt—000%14%
Andy JanovichCLE · RB6.01.3+4.7—6% car—026%00%

Team totals: Texans 28 targets and 28 carries; Browns 21 targets and 34 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2021 season: 1.68 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.64 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Davis Mills

HOU · QB · 7.0 pts on 9.2 expected

8 of 18 passing for 102 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception; 2 carries for -1 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 9.2 expected.

Start/Sit: Davis Mills →

Baker Mayfield

CLE · QB · 18.5 pts on 14.4 expected

19 of 21 passing for 213 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception; 8 carries for 10 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 14.4 expected.

Start/Sit: Baker Mayfield →

Brandin Cooks Volume, no payoff

HOU · WR · 22.8 pts on 23.6 expected

14 targets (50% of the team's), 9 catches for 78 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 23.6 expected.

Trend: Season high in targets (14).

Start/Sit: Brandin Cooks →

Mark Ingram II Unlucky

HOU · RB · 5.0 pts on 12.4 expected

2 targets (7% of the team's), 1 catch for -1 yards; 14 carries (50% of the team's) for 41 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 12.4 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Kareem Hunt

CLE · RB · 6.3 pts on 10.0 expected

1 target (5% of the team's), 1 catch for 2 yards; 13 carries (38% of the team's) for 51 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 10.0 expected.

Trend: Season high in carries (13).

Nick Chubb Ran hot

CLE · RB · 16.8 pts on 8.7 expected

1 target (5% of the team's), 1 catch for 3 yards; 11 carries (32% of the team's) for 95 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 8.7 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Tyrod Taylor Ran hot

HOU · QB · 16.5 pts on 5.5 expected

10 of 11 passing for 125 yards, 1 touchdown; 1 carry for 15 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 5.5 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Tyrod Taylor →

Demetric Felton Ran hot

CLE · RB · 13.1 pts on 3.4 expected

2 targets (10% of the team's), 2 catches for 51 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 3.4 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Stock Up, Stock Down

Houston Texans

  • Stock up: Chris Conley played 90% of the snaps, up from a 51% season average.
  • Stock down: Mark Ingram II played 31% of the snaps, down from a 46% season average.
  • Stock down: Nico Collins played 3% of the snaps, down from a 55% season average.

Cleveland Browns

  • Stock up: Harrison Bryant played 51% of the snaps, up from a 32% season average.
  • Stock up: Rashard Higgins played 70% of the snaps, up from a 7% season average.
  • Stock down: Jarvis Landry played 3% of the snaps, down from a 86% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2021 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Texans defense and Browns defense
Points allowed toTexans DBrowns D
QBs18.216.7
RBs25.721.5
WRs35.728.6
TEs13.512.6

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Cleveland opened at 84% win probability and passed 98% in the fourth quarter on the way to the win.

Browns win probability

Browns win probability by game minuteBrowns started at 84%, stood at 76% at halftime and finished at 100%, across 8 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. −23Taylor 15-yd TD run78% → 55%Q2 7:06
  2. +26Mayfield 5-yd TD run50% → 76%Q2 1:14
  3. +20Mayfield → Felton, 33-yd TD73% → 93%Q3 7:50
  4. −16Mills → Cooks, 2-yd TD98% → 83%Q4 11:32
  5. +15Chubb 26-yd TD run85% → >99%Q4 5:52

Swing in Browns win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Texans vs Browns
Houston TexansMeasureCleveland Browns
58Plays57
52%Pass rate40%
7.3Yds / dropback8.7
2.9Yds / carry4.6
8/14Third downs4/9

Efficiency edge Cleveland ran 1 fewer plays but gained 1.4 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • HOU Cooks 50% · Roberts 7% · Conley 7%
  • CLE Hooper 24% · Bryant 19% · Njoku 14%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Texans vs Browns
ResultHOUCLE
Touchdowns34
Field goals01
Punts42
Turnovers12
Missed field goals10

HOU turnover edge: +1

  • The Browns opened the scoring on their second possession, a 4-play, 35-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
  • The Browns drained the clock with two second-half drives of five to six minutes.
All 19 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
CLEQ1 15:00433:02Punt
CLEQ1 11:584352:02Touchdown
HOUQ1 9:568844:38Touchdown
CLEQ1 5:186473:05Fumble
HOUQ1 2:136243:19Punt
CLEQ2 13:548354:10Interception
HOUQ2 9:446472:38Touchdown
CLEQ2 7:0610755:52Touchdown
HOUQ2 1:145101:14Punt
HOUQ3 15:00341:18Punt
CLEQ3 13:427725:52Touchdown
HOUQ3 7:50301:33Interception
CLEQ3 6:17461:37Field goal
HOUQ3 4:4016758:08Touchdown
CLEQ4 11:329825:40Touchdown
HOUQ4 5:52300:33Punt
CLEQ4 5:19381:46Punt
HOUQ4 3:339651:34Missed FG
CLEQ4 1:593-31:59End of game
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Texans vs Browns Head-to-Head

The Texans and Browns first met in 2002 and have played 15 times since.

All-time series
8–7Texans lead, 15 meetings since 2002
Postseason
1–0Texans won in 2023
Largest Texans win
45–142023
Largest Browns win
34–172002

Since 2021

3–1 Browns lead

4 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. B = Browns win, T = Texans win, outlined = this game.

2026 Meetings

  • Week 10 Texans at Browns Upcoming

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2021 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Texans vs Browns
TexansStatBrowns
4-13Record8-9
16.5Points per game20.5
278.1Yards per game340.6
4.7Yards per play5.5
26.6Points allowed per game21.8
384.4Yards allowed per game311.5

Texans vs Browns Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread
CLE −13.5Browns failed to cover by 3.5
Total
48.5Over: 52 points scored (by 3.5)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
TeamImpliedActualDifference
Browns31.0310.0
Texans17.521+3.5

The Texans beat their implied total and the Browns fell short of theirs; the Fantasy tab has the player lines behind it.

Betting Trends

Each team's 2021 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Houston Texans

Against the spread
2–0
Over/under
2–0
ATS as underdog
2–0
ATS on the road
1–0

Cleveland Browns

Against the spread
1–1
Over/under
2–0
ATS as favorite
0–1
ATS as underdog
1–0
ATS at home
0–1

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Texans vs Browns Fantasy Outlook for 2026

One meeting is left on the 2026 schedule: Week 10 in Cleveland. Here's how to decide who to play in your league.

Keep Exploring

2021 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Texans vs Browns Game FAQ

Who won the 2021 Texans vs Browns Week 2 game?

The Cleveland Browns beat the Houston Texans 31–21 in Week 2 of the 2021 season. The game was played at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH, on September 19, 2021. See the Browns' 2021 schedule.

What was the final score of Texans vs Browns?

The final score was Browns 31, Texans 21. The teams were tied 14–14 at halftime, and the second half went Texans 7, Browns 17.

What happened in the Texans vs Browns game?

Cleveland broke a 14–14 halftime tie, outscoring Houston 17–7 after the break to win 31–21. The Browns finished with a 355–302 edge in total offense and averaged 6.2 yards per play. Brandin Cooks led all players with 9 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Texans vs Browns?

Brandin Cooks led the game with 22.8 PPR fantasy points, the WR8 of Week 2, on 9 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. Baker Mayfield was next with 17.5 (QB19). See Brandin Cooks's 2021 game log.

Who led Texans vs Browns in passing, rushing and receiving?

Baker Mayfield (CLE) led all passers with 19 of 21 for 213 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Nick Chubb (CLE) led in rushing with 11 carries for 95 yards and a touchdown. Brandin Cooks (HOU) led in receiving with 9 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown.

How many fantasy points did Brandin Cooks score against the Browns?

Brandin Cooks scored 22.8 points in PPR leagues, 18.3 in half-PPR and 13.8 in standard scoring against the Browns in Week 2 of the 2021 season, on 9 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. He drew 50% of his team's targets.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Texans vs Browns?

Tyrod Taylor outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 16.5 PPR points on 5.5 xFP (+11.0). Mark Ingram II fell furthest short, with 5.0 points on 12.4 xFP (−7.4). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Texans vs Browns?

Brandin Cooks had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 23.6 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 22.8. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Browns beat the Texans?

The Browns beat the Texans 31–21 because they averaged 6.2 yards per play to 5.2 and outgained them 355–302.

What is the all-time Texans vs Browns record?

The Texans lead the all-time series 8–7 across 15 meetings since 2002, including a 1–0 record in the postseason.

When did the Texans and Browns last play before this game?

Before Week 2 of 2021, they last met in the 2020 season on November 15, 2020, when the Browns beat the Texans 10–7.

Have the Texans and Browns met in the playoffs?

Yes, 1 time, most recently in the 2023 playoffs. The Texans are 1–0 against the Browns in the postseason.

What was the closing spread for Texans vs Browns?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Browns −13.5, making the Cleveland Browns 13.5-point favorites, with a closing total of 48.5. That implied about 31.0 points for the Browns and 17.5 for the Texans.

Did Texans vs Browns go over or under the total?

The game went over. The consensus closing total was 48.5, and the teams combined for 52 points, 3.5 over the number.

Who covered the spread in Texans vs Browns?

The Texans covered as 13.5-point underdogs against the closing line of Browns −13.5. The final margin was 10 points.