CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 16: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans makes a touchdown catch in front of Chris Kirksey #58 of the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 16, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Houston (CBS Houston) – In his first start, Ryan Mallett engineered a 20-7 win over the Browns with assists from J.J. Watt and rookie Alfred Blue.

Blue carried the ball a record a franchise record 35 times for 151 yards while J.J. Watt contributed his second touchdown catch of the season.

On the first possession of the game, the Texans took a deep shot on their first drive to Andre Johnson. On an out and up pattern, Mallett found Andre Johnson for what was originally ruled a catch, but it was later overturned. Mallett’s first series ended in a three and out.

The Texans defense, with Jadeveon Clowney back in the fold, quickly stopped the Browns. On the Texans second offensive series, Mallett showed off his arm strength with a 41-yard deep ball to DeAndre Hopkins on third and long. The drive continued into the Browns redzone, where J.J. Watt checking in. On first and goal, Watt checked in at tight end but motioned out wide. Mallett found Watt on a fade for his first career touchdown pass.

The Browns were able to find a rhythm on the ensuing drive. Fueled by a 35-yard run from Isaiah Crowell, the Browns set up for a 38-yard field goal but Billy Cundiff missed it wide right.

The Texans were able to cross in the Browns territory on the next drive, but Mallett was intercepted in the endzone by Joe Haden. Cleveland would be unable to cash in on the turnover, punting it away in Texans territory.

Later in the second quarter, the Texans had forced the Browns into a three and out deep in their own territory but J.J. Watt was called for his second roughing the punter penalty of the day. The flag gave the Browns new life and eventually led to a 32-yard touchdown from Brian Hoyer to Andrew Hopkins.

With less than five minutes remaining in the half, the Browns were driving. But the Texans came up with another redzone turnover. Brian Cushing forced a fumble on Crowell and J.J. Watt recovered preventing a Cleveland score.

The Texans would run the two minute drill effectively. Garrett Graham caught three straight passes with the final one being for a touchdown. The Texans took a 14-7 lead into the locker room. With Ryan Mallett at the helm the Texans accumulated 242 yards of offense in the first half.

The Texans defense came up with a stop to start the second half. A few possessions later the Texans crossed into Cleveland territory but Randy Bullock missed a 52-yard field goal. The score remained 14-7.

With Alfred Blue heating up in the second half, the Texans were able to engineer points with 5:13 remaining in the third quarter. Rany Bullock kicked a 46-yard field goal to put the Texans up two possessions 17-7.

Randy Bullock hit a 37-yard field goal in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter to push the lead to 20-7. The Browns would enter Texans territory on the next drive, but down two scores and needing a touchdown the unsuccessfully went for it on fourth down and eight. With less than seven minutes in the game, Houston had the ball and a 13 point lead.

Brian Hoyer and the Browns would get the ball back quickly. Despite allowing a big chunk of yards on the drive, the Texans defense sealed the win with a Mike Mohamed interception.

Randy Bullock would tack on a 50-yard field goal to make the final score 23-7. Mallett finished the day 13/19 for 211 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

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