1.The Browns fell behind early thanks to two strong Texans scoring drives. They held the Texans to a field goal on the first, but with 44 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Deshaun Watson faked a handoff, rolled to his right and floated an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Thomas. The Texans' 51 first-quarter rushing yards on 12 carries contributed to the success of the play-action touchdown.
2. Baker Mayfield's first interception since Week 9 provided one of the biggest plays of the game for Houston. With 7:36 remaining in the first half, Jadeveon Clowney pressured Mayfield into throwing toward Antonio Callaway before Mayfield wanted to, and Houston's Zach Cunningham caught the pass instead. Mayfield tried to knock Cunningham out of bounds before Cunningham could reach the end zone on the return, but Cunningham reached the ball over the goal line before he drifted out of bounds. The Browns fell further behind, 17-0.
3. Mayfield was intercepted looking for Callaway again on the next drive. Callaway looked to have found an opening in the Texans defense, but Johnathan Joseph closed that window quickly and advanced to midfield. The Texans turned that interception into three points on the ensuing possession. This interception came on what started as a productive drive for the Browns. They were in Houston territory, only adding to the frustration of the turnover.
The Cleveland Browns play the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) is upended by Houston Texans strong safety Justin Reid (20) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is sacked by Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is dropped by Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) runs against the Cleveland Browns during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is sacked by Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) is hit by Houston Texans defensive back Shareece Wright (43) after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is pressured by Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is hit by Cleveland Browns free safety Jabrill Peppers (22) and middle linebacker Joe Schobert (53) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is pressured by Cleveland Browns defensive end Chris Smith (50) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Houston Texans free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) breaks ups pass intended for Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) scores on a two-yard touchdown run against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) is defended by Cleveland Browns strong safety Damarious Randall (23) after making a catch during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is pressured by Cleveland Browns middle linebacker Joe Schobert (53) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) tires to pressure Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Antonio Callaway (11) runs past Houston Texans defensive back Andre Hal (29) after making a catch during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Houston. Callaway fumbled the ball before crossing the goal and the Texans recovered. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Antonio Callaway (11) makes a catch in front of Houston Texans defensive back Andre Hal (29) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Houston. Callaway fumbled the ball before crossing the goal and the Texans recovered. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) runs past Houston Texans free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
4. On the Browns' most promising drive of the game, Mayfield threw his third interception with 1:52 remaining in the first half. Mayfield tried a deep pass to David Njoku in the end zone on third-and-10 at the Houston 38, but he overthrew the second-year tight end. Andre Hal made a toe-tapping interception in the back of the end zone. The Texans turned that turnover into a field goal, too, and the Browns trailed 23-0 at halftime.
5. The Browns finally scored with 9:42 remaining in the third quarter. Nick Chubb capped a nine-play, 75-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run. The star of the drive, though, was Mayfield, who threw for 74 yards on the opening second-half drive after a rough first half.
6. The Browns showed life again when Mayfield found Callaway for two 70+ yard passes on the same drive. Amazingly, though, neither ended on a positive note. The first went for a touchdown, but the touchdown was called back because left tackle Greg Robinson was caught holding Whitney Mercilus. On the second, Callaway veered toward Justin Reid as he ran the last few yards toward the end zone, and Reid punched the ball out of Callaway's hands. The Texans recovered for a touchback with 3:55 remaining in the third quarter.
7. Any chance the Browns had at a comeback dissolved when they failed to convert on fourth-and-five at the Texans' 36 with 9:50 remaining. Mayfield threw for Njoku on a seam route, but the pass was batted to the turf by Tyrann Mathieu.
