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NFL · Week 13 · December 2, 2018 · 12 min read

Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Texans: 2018 Week 13 Recap

Texans defeat Browns 29–13 in Week 13

Desmond Watson led Fantasy Impact as Texans prevailed in a 13–29 Week 13 finish.

Cleveland Browns 13 4–7
Final 13–29
Houston Texans 29 9–3 Winner
Winner
Houston Texans
Final score
13–29
Halftime
Cleveland Browns 0–26 Houston Texans
Top passer
Baker Mayfield
FantasyHQ MVP
Desmond Watson
Game date
December 2, 2018

Top fantasy performers · Browns

  • Rashard Higgins
    Rashard Higgins 4 REC · 62 YDS · 1 TD +6.2 Fantasy Impact
  • J.Landry 6 REC · 103 YDS +3.7 Fantasy Impact
  • Nick Chubb
    Nick Chubb 3 REC · 41 YDS +2.1 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Texans

  • Desmond Watson
    Desmond Watson 22/41 · 226 YDS · 1 TD +7.4 Fantasy Impact
  • Juanyeh Thomas
    Juanyeh Thomas 3 REC · 32 YDS · 1 TD +3.8 Fantasy Impact
  • Dustin Hopkins
    Dustin Hopkins 7 REC · 91 YDS +3.7 Fantasy Impact
View Browns vs Texans box score View all 2018 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Houston Texans
Final score
Houston Texans 29–13 Cleveland Browns
Halftime
Cleveland Browns 0–26 Houston Texans at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
Desmond Watson
Top passer
Baker Mayfield
Biggest EPA play
(7:36) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle intended for 11-A.Callaway INTERCEPTED by …
Game date
2018-12-02

Game summary

The Houston Texans beat the Cleveland Browns 29–13 on 2018-12-02. Desmond Watson posted a game-high +7.43 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 16 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Cleveland Browns0076013
Houston Texans101633029

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

CLECleveland Browns
HOUHouston Texans

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

13 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. HOUHouston Texans
    Q1 8:15FG
    Ka'imi Fairbairn

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CLE 16
    Score
    0-3

    (8:15) 7-K.Fairbairn 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel. Penalty on CLE-26-D.Kindred, Running Into the Kicker, declined.

  2. HOUHouston Texans
    Q1 0:44TD
    Juanyeh Thomas

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CLE 11
    Score
    0-9

    (:44) 4-D.Watson pass short right to 83-J.Thomas for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  3. HOUHouston Texans
    Q1 0:38XP
    Ka'imi Fairbairn

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CLE 15
    Score
    0-10

    7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.

  4. HOUHouston Texans
    Q2 7:36TD
    Zach Cunningham

    Points+6

    Yard line
    HOU 72
    Score
    0-16

    (7:36) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle intended for 11-A.Callaway INTERCEPTED by 41-Z.Cunningham at CLE 38. 41-Z.Cunningham pushed ob at CLE 1 for 37 yards (6-B.Mayfield). Penalty on CLE-78-G.Robinson, Offensive Holding, declined. The Replay Official reviewed the runner was out of bounds ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle intended for 11-A.Callaway INTERCEPTED by 41-Z.Cunningham at CLE 38. 41-Z.Cunningham for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on CLE-78-G.Robinson, Offensive Holding, declined.

  5. HOUHouston Texans
    Q2 7:26XP
    Ka'imi Fairbairn

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CLE 15
    Score
    0-17

    7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.

  6. HOUHouston Texans
    Q2 3:24FG
    Ka'imi Fairbairn

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CLE 24
    Score
    0-20

    (3:24) 7-K.Fairbairn 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.

  7. HOUHouston Texans
    Q2 0:05FG
    Ka'imi Fairbairn

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CLE 30
    Score
    0-23

    (:05) 7-K.Fairbairn 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.

  8. HOUHouston Texans
    Q2 0:00FG

    Points+3

    Yard line
    —
    Score
    0-23

    END QUARTER 2

  9. CLECleveland Browns
    Q3 9:42TD
    Nick Chubb

    Points+6

    Yard line
    HOU 2
    Score
    6-23

    (9:42) (Shotgun) 24-N.Chubb up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  10. CLECleveland Browns
    Q3 9:39XP
    Greg Joseph

    Points+1

    Yard line
    HOU 15
    Score
    7-23

    17-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

  11. HOUHouston Texans
    Q3 5:31FG
    Ka'imi Fairbairn

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CLE 35
    Score
    7-26

    (5:31) 7-K.Fairbairn 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.

  12. HOUHouston Texans
    Q4 5:50FG
    Ka'imi Fairbairn

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CLE 20
    Score
    7-29

    (5:50) 7-K.Fairbairn 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.

  13. CLECleveland Browns
    Q4 3:05TD
    Rashard Higgins

    Points+6

    Yard line
    HOU 17
    Score
    13-29

    (3:05) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep right to 81-R.Higgins for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Desmond WatsonDesmond Watson · Houston Texans · Passing · +7.43 total EPA · 41 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
  2. 2Rashard HigginsRashard Higgins · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +6.23 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.56 EPA/play
  3. 3Juanyeh ThomasJuanyeh Thomas · Houston Texans · Receiving · +3.76 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.25 EPA/play
  4. 4J. Landry · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +3.72 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
  5. 5Dustin HopkinsDustin Hopkins · Houston Texans · Receiving · +3.66 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
  6. 6L. Miller · Houston Texans · Receiving · +2.35 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.35 EPA/play
  7. 7Nick ChubbNick Chubb · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +2.14 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
  8. 8Breshad PerrimanBreshad Perriman · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +1.30 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

Desmond Watson

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Desmond Watson — HOU · Passing

Desmond Watson posted the highest total EPA (+7.43) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Houston Texans. Across 41 counted snaps, they averaged +0.18 EPA per play.

Desmond Watson's top snap (-2.80 EPA): (13:01) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson sacked at HOU 42 for -13 yards (55-G.Avery).

Biggest single play (-8.41 EPA): Baker Mayfield — (7:36) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle intended for 11-A.Callaway INTERCEPTED by 41-Z.Cunningham at CLE 38. 41-Z.Cunningham pushed ob at CLE 1 for 37 yards (6-B.Mayfield). Penalty on CLE-78-G

Quarterback report card

Baker Mayfield led all passers in efficiency for Cleveland Browns, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • Baker MayfieldBaker Mayfield (Cleveland Browns) · 45 dropbacks · 64.4% completion · +4.4% CPOE · -0.15 EPA/play · -6.67 total EPA
  • Desmond WatsonDesmond Watson (Houston Texans) · 41 dropbacks · 53.7% completion · +5.4% CPOE · +0.18 EPA/play · +7.43 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatCleveland BrownsHouston Texans
Offensive EPA/play-0.141+0.103
Offensive success rate46.4%44.6%
Pass EPA/play-0.148+0.181
Rush EPA/play-0.189-0.073
Defensive EPA/play-0.103+0.141
Defensive success rate55.4%53.6%

Drive & efficiency notes

Houston Texans held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.10 vs -0.14), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Cleveland Browns: -0.14 EPA/play (20th percentile vs. 2018 team-game averages)
  • Houston Texans: +0.10 EPA/play (76th percentile vs. 2018 team-game averages)
  • Cleveland Browns: 11 drives, -9.73 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
  • Houston Texans: 11 drives, +9.45 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Juanyeh ThomasHouston Texans — Juanyeh Thomas (Desmond Watson pass) (Q1 0:44)
  • Zach CunninghamHouston Texans — Zach Cunningham (Q2 7:36)
  • Nick ChubbCleveland Browns — Nick Chubb (Q3 9:42)
  • Rashard HigginsCleveland Browns — Rashard Higgins (Baker Mayfield pass) (Q4 3:05)

Field goals

  • Ka'imi FairbairnHouston Texans — Ka'imi Fairbairn (Q1 8:15)
  • Ka'imi FairbairnHouston Texans — Ka'imi Fairbairn (Q2 3:24)
  • Ka'imi FairbairnHouston Texans — Ka'imi Fairbairn (Q2 0:05)
  • Houston Texans — unlisted player (Q2 0:00)
  • Ka'imi FairbairnHouston Texans — Ka'imi Fairbairn (Q3 5:31)
  • Ka'imi FairbairnHouston Texans — Ka'imi Fairbairn (Q4 5:50)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Houston Texans won the period 10–0. Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the CLE 16 (Q1 8:15); Houston Texans found the end zone from the CLE 11 (Q1 0:44) — (:44) 4-D.Watson pass short right to 83-J.Thomas for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q1 0:38) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel..

The second quarter: Houston Texans won the period 16–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the HOU 72 (Q2 7:36); Houston Texans added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q2 7:26) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the CLE 24 (Q2 3:24) — (3:24) 7-K.Fairbairn 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the CLE 30 (Q2 0:05) — (:05) 7-K.Fairbairn 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal (Q2 0:00) — END QUARTER 2.

The third quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 7–3. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the HOU 2 (Q3 9:42) — (9:42) (Shotgun) 24-N.Chubb up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q3 9:39) — 17-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the CLE 35 (Q3 5:31) — (5:31) 7-K.Fairbairn 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel..

The fourth quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 6–3. Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the CLE 20 (Q4 5:50) — (5:50) 7-K.Fairbairn 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the HOU 17 (Q4 3:05) — (3:05) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep right to 81-R.Higgins for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Cleveland Browns (Q2 7:36) — (7:36) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle intended for 11-A.Callaway INTERCEPTED by 41-Z.Cunningham at CLE 38. 41-Z.Cunningham pushed ob at CLE 1 for 37 yards (6-B.Mayfield). Penalty on CLE-78-G [WPA -11.3% · EPA -8.41]
  • Houston Texans (Q1 10:44) — (10:44) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short right to 10-D.Hopkins ran ob at CLE 14 for 17 yards. [WPA +9.3% · EPA +2.74]
  • Houston Texans (Q1 3:58) — (3:58) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short middle to 26-L.Miller to HOU 44 for 12 yards (26-D.Kindred; 51-J.Collins Sr.). [WPA +7.1% · EPA +2.35]
  • Cleveland Browns (Q2 6:47) — (6:47) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right intended for 11-A.Callaway INTERCEPTED by 24-J.Joseph at HOU 31. 24-J.Joseph pushed ob at HOU 49 for 18 yards (75-J.Bitonio). [WPA -5.6% · EPA -5.52]
  • Houston Texans (Q2 12:46) — (12:46) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short right to 14-D.Carter to HOU 32 for 11 yards (90-E.Ogbah). [WPA +5.3% · EPA +1.44]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Cleveland Browns (Q2 7:36) — (7:36) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle intended for 11-A.Callaway INTERCEPTED by 41-Z.Cunningham at CLE 38. 41-Z.Cunningham pushed ob at CLE 1 for 37 yards (6-B.Mayfield). Penalty on CLE-78-G [WPA -11.3% · EPA -8.41]
  • Cleveland Browns (Q2 6:47) — (6:47) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right intended for 11-A.Callaway INTERCEPTED by 24-J.Joseph at HOU 31. 24-J.Joseph pushed ob at HOU 49 for 18 yards (75-J.Bitonio). [WPA -5.6% · EPA -5.52]
  • Cleveland Browns (Q4 9:50) — (9:50) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass incomplete deep middle to 85-D.Njoku (32-T.Mathieu). [WPA -0.9% · EPA -3.31]
  • Cleveland Browns (Q2 1:52) — (1:52) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep right intended for 85-D.Njoku INTERCEPTED by 29-A.Hal at HOU 0. Touchback. [WPA -3.0% · EPA -3.05]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q1 8:15 · CLE 16 · Score 0-3
    (8:15) 7-K.Fairbairn 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel. Penalty on CLE-26-D.Kindred, Running Into the Kicker, declined.
  2. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q1 0:44 · CLE 11 · Score 0-9
    (:44) 4-D.Watson pass short right to 83-J.Thomas for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  3. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q1 0:38 · CLE 15 · Score 0-10
    7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
  4. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q2 7:36 · HOU 72 · Score 0-16
    (7:36) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle intended for 11-A.Callaway INTERCEPTED by 41-Z.Cunningham at CLE 38. 41-Z.Cunningham pushed ob at CLE 1 for 37 yards (6-B.Mayfield). Penalty on CLE-78-G
  5. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q2 7:26 · CLE 15 · Score 0-17
    7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
  6. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 3:24 · CLE 24 · Score 0-20
    (3:24) 7-K.Fairbairn 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
  7. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 0:05 · CLE 30 · Score 0-23
    (:05) 7-K.Fairbairn 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
  8. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 0:00 · Score 0-23
    END QUARTER 2
  9. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q3 9:42 · HOU 2 · Score 6-23
    (9:42) (Shotgun) 24-N.Chubb up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  10. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q3 9:39 · HOU 15 · Score 7-23
    17-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
  11. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q3 5:31 · CLE 35 · Score 7-26
    (5:31) 7-K.Fairbairn 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
  12. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q4 5:50 · CLE 20 · Score 7-29
    (5:50) 7-K.Fairbairn 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
  13. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q4 3:05 · HOU 17 · Score 13-29
    (3:05) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep right to 81-R.Higgins for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.

  • Houston Texans earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • Desmond Watson (Houston Texans) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • Baker Mayfield (CLE) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
  • Desmond Watson (HOU) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Cleveland Browns vs Houston Texans on 2018-12-02?

The Houston Texans beat the Cleveland Browns 29-13 in Week 13, 2018.

What was the score by quarter in Cleveland Browns vs Houston Texans?

Q1: Cleveland Browns 0, Houston Texans 10; Q2: Cleveland Browns 0, Houston Texans 16; Q3: Cleveland Browns 7, Houston Texans 3; Q4: Cleveland Browns 6, Houston Texans 3; Final: Cleveland Browns 13, Houston Texans 29.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cleveland Browns vs Houston Texans?

Houston Texans touchdown — J. Thomas (D. Watson pass) (Q1 0:44) Houston Texans touchdown — Z. Cunningham (Q2 7:36) Cleveland Browns touchdown — N. Chubb (Q3 9:42) Cleveland Browns touchdown — R. Higgins (B. Mayfield pass) (Q4 3:05) Houston Texans field goal — K. Fairbairn (Q1 8:15, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Fairbairn (Q2 3:24, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Fairbairn (Q2 0:05, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — unlisted player (Q2 0:00, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Fairbairn (Q3 5:31, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Fairbairn (Q4 5:50, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Cleveland Browns vs Houston Texans?

Baker Mayfield (Cleveland Browns), 64.4% completion, +4.4% CPOE, -0.15 EPA per dropback, -6.67 total passing EPA. Desmond Watson (Houston Texans), 53.7% completion, +5.4% CPOE, +0.18 EPA per dropback, +7.43 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Cleveland Browns vs Houston Texans?

Desmond Watson (Houston Texans) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +7.43 total EPA on Passing plays. across 41 snaps. Their top snap (-2.80 EPA): (13:01) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson sacked at HOU 42 for -13 yards (55-G.Avery)..

Season records after this game

Cleveland Browns

Entered 4-6 Now 4-7 L

Houston Texans

Entered 8-3 Now 9-3 W

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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