The Cleveland Browns host the Houston Texans on Sunday in a game with actual playoff implications for both teams.
Cleveland is currently tied with the New England Patriots for the final playoff spot in the AFC, but the Patriots hold the edge with a 5-1 record in the conference. The Browns already have three conference losses, so a fourth one on Sunday would put a major dent in their playoff hopes and also give the Texans the tiebreaker.
But if the Browns pick up the win? Then they will enter the bye
week with a 45 percent chance of making the playoffs, according to The Athletic’s playoff simulator, which means meaningful football will be on the docket for the rest of the season.
While much of the focus of Sunday’s game will be on how Cleveland’s offensive line can keep Houston’s pass rush, which comes into the game tied for first in the league with 29 sacks, away from quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has taken a league-high 33 sacks, there are other matchups to watch.
Here are two in particular to keep an eye on, according to Pro Football Focus.
Houston WR Nico Collins vs. Cleveland CB Denzel Ward
Collins is second on the Texans in receptions (28), and first in receiving yards (384) and receiving touchdowns (4). But he hasn’t had an explosive game since early October when he torched the Dallas Cowboys with seven receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns.
Ward, meanwhile, is putting together his standard season of high-level play, which makes for a good matchup, according to PFF:
Collins has missed time in 2026 but has been tremendously dynamic as usual when healthy. He’s notched an 82.8 PFF receiving grade along with 2.10 yards per route run, with 2026 marking his fourth straight season with numbers reaching those thresholds. Further, Collins’ 82.4% contested catch rate is the third-best among receivers with 35 or more targets.
Ward has starred from the outset this season, earning a 72.0-plus PFF coverage grade in all but one game throughout the year. He’s permitted just 18 catches for 129 yards across 349 coverage snaps, numbers that warrant being a first-team All-Pro through the midway point of 2026.
These two standouts haven’t gone head-to-head in a game since the 2023 postseason, although Ward has generally had Collins’ number. Collins has been held to two catches for 53 yards over their three games facing one another, with Ward winning 75% of the reps in terms of being charted as open.
Cleveland WR Denzel Boston vs. Houston CB Derek Stingley Jr.
Boston came close to his first 100-yard receiving day last week against the New Orleans Saints (six receptions for 98 yards), and leads all rookies in receiving yards (507).
Stingley is currently going through a down year, so if Boston can play through his toe injury, this could be an area for the Browns to exploit, according to PFF:
Collins vs. Ward is the meeting of two longtime great players, but Boston vs. Stingley represents the next generation of potential showstopping receiver-corner battles.
Boston looks like the frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year through the season’s midway point. He’s collected a 70.3 PFF receiving grade while averaging 1.55 yards per route run. Likewise, Boston’s 5.0 yards after the catch per reception sit in the 74th percentile.
Like the rest of Houston’s regressing defense, Stingley has had some trouble this season — producing a career-low 65.3 PFF receiving grade with a 92.4 passer rating allowed. Although the All-Pro has let up 65-plus yards in three separate games, he’s also broken up five passes.
Boston has dealt with a toe injury in practice but indicated he expects to play on Sunday. That means we should be treated to a physical showdown between the big-frame rookie and one of the game’s top defensive backs over the last few seasons.
The Browns have an opportunity on Sunday to go into their bye week on a positive note and come out on the other side with a legitimate chance to stay in the playoff race.
And these two matchups could determine who is celebrating come Monday morning.
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