Browns Vs. Texans: Arian Foster, Ben Tate Each Top 100 Yards As Houston Wins

Arian Foster, Ben Tate Fantasy Recap: Houston Texans Duo Dominates

The Houston Texans rushing attack is built around stud running back Arian Foster. He leads the way and has turned into an all-pro running back for the Texans. However, the Texans have shown a willingness to work backup running back Ben Tate into the mix when things are getting out of hand in a game. For the second time in three games, the Houston Texans took advantage of a big lead and got dual 100-yard rushing performances from Arian Foster and Ben Tate. The two backs combined for 239 yards and two touchdowns in the easy victory.

Ben Tate remains a bench player for now given how hard it is to predict these kinds of situations. The Texans have a few games remaining on their schedule that could result in blowouts, but it can be a bit of a roll of the dice. The "any given Sunday" mantra of upsets makes it a risky proposition to play Tate while Foster is healthy. If you want to roll the dice go ahead, but it is arguably a sucker bet to do so.

For more on the Texans, check out Battle Red Blog. For more on fantasy football, check out Fake Teams. Follow @sbnationfantasy on Twitter.

Mohamed Massaquoi Injury Update: Browns WR Leaves Game With Previous Concussion Side Effects

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi left Sunday's game against the Houston Texans after feeling woozy based on a previous concussion. Massaquoi suffered a concussion on October 23 versus the Seattle Seahawks and apparently is still feeling the effects of the concussion. He suffered a previous concussion in training camp and one last year. He sat out last week's game against the San Francisco 49ers and given the extended effects of the concussion, it would not be surprising to see him sit out next week.

The Browns offense has struggle with consistency in 2011 and losing Massaquoi would not help matters. The Browns have worked Ben Watson and rookie Greg Little into the offense a bit more in recent weeks, with Joshua Cribbs getting a few deep balls his way. Little has emerged as the leading receiver on the team, which will hurt the number of passes going Massaquoi's way.

The Browns face a pair of solid matchups for their passing game as they host the St. Louis Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars the next two weeks. I would not be surprised to see Massaquoi sit out at least the Rams game. Little and Watson have some modest fantasy upside, although not a ton given the struggles of the Browns offense.

For more on the Browns, check out Dawgs By Nature. For more on fantasy football, check out Fake Teams. Follow @sbnationfantasy on Twitter.

NFL Scores Week 9, Browns Vs. Texans: Houston Rolls At Home, 30-12

Houston rolled against Cleveland in a snoozer. Both Arian Foster and Ben Tate rushed for over 100 yards and a touchdown in the victory.

Browns Vs. Texans: Ben Tate And Arian Foster Both Top 100 Yards Rushing

The Houston Texans are steamrolling the Cleveland Browns. With less than five minutes to play, Houston leads 30-12. Most of the damage by the Texans has been done on the ground, where a brutally effective running game has produced two 100-yards rushers for the day.

As you would expect, Arian Foster has topped the 100-yard mark. He has 124 yards on 19 carries and one touchdown. Ben Tate, who got the scoring started today, has 102 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries, including a 27-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

Houston has 228 rushing yards out of 347 total yards in the game so far.

VIDEO: Arian Foster Rushing Touchdown Expands Houston's Lead Over Cleveland

The Houston Texans continue their route of the Cleveland Browns, leading 21-3 with the half still almost ten minutes away. After a Ben Tate touchdown opened the scoring, running back Arian Foster added one of his own in the second quarter. Foster ran over the right tackle for a 19-yard touchdown. The video evidence is all right here. 

Foster's touchdown was the third rushing touchdown for Houston today. Quarterback Matt Schaub scrambled two yards in the first quarter for the Texans' second touchdown of the game. 

For the day, Foster has eight carries for 58 yards and a touchdown. He also leads the team with three receptions, but has just 17 yards on those catches. Houston is playing another game without wide receiver Andre Johnson, and  so far they have not really needed him. Houston has 126 rushing yards out of 216 total yards in the game. This is Foster's third consecutive game with a rushing touchdown. 

VIDEO: Ben Tate Scores 27-Yard Touchdown

Houston Texans running back Ben Tate had the first touchdown for week 9 in the NFL. Tate found light in the middle of Houston's offensive line, and ran for a 27-yard touchdown to give Houston a 7-0 lead over the visiting Cleveland Browns. 

That was the Texans' first possession of the game. Tate and Arian Foster split carries on the 9-play, 82 yard drive that ate five minutes of clock time. It was Tate's second carry of the game. Foster has three carries on the drive. 

Tate had 508 rushing yards heading into this week's game against the Browns. His season includes a 104-yard performance in a blowout over Tennessee in week 7. Tate also saw plenty of work early in the season with Foster dealing with injuries. He even got a start in week 3 against the New Orleans Saints. 

For more on Tate and the Houston Texans, check out Battle Red Blog. 

Andre Johnson To Miss A Fifth Straight Game With Hamstring Injury

Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson will miss a fifth straight game as head coach Gary Kubiak has ruled the perennial Pro Bowler out for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns.

The club had held out hope that Johnson would be ready for this week's game, an optimism that remained even as Johnson did not take not part in Wednesday or Thursday's practice. Johnson missed Friday's practice, as well, prompting the team to once again push back his return to the field.

Johnson himself has not established a target date for his return.

"To be honest, I haven't really targeted any date," Johnson said via Jeffrey Martin of the Houston Chronicle. "At first, I just felt like I'll miss a couple games and I'll be back out there. It just all depends on how your body responds. I thought I would be back playing by now. I'm not, so right now I just really can't set a date. I'm just taking it one day at a time."

For more on the Texans, check out Battle Red Blog.

Montario Hardesty Ruled Out For Week 9

As expected, Cleveland Browns running back Montario Hardesty was officially ruled out for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans.

Hardesty, who was starting in place of the injured Peyton Hillis, suffered a torn calf muscle after just two carries for six yards during last Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The injury is expected to sideline Hardesty for at least two weeks.

A 2010 second-round pick out of Tennessee, Hardesty spent his rookie season on injured reserve with a torn ACL. In seven games this season, including a couple of starts, Hardesty has a team-high 75 carries and 244 yards rushing, and has caught 12 passes for 113 yards, but is still seeking his first NFL touchdown.

In addition to Hardesty, the Browns are expected to be without Hillis when they take on the Texans on Sunday. Hillis aggravated his hamstring injury, leaving the team with untested Chris Ogbonnaya and Thomas Clayton at the running back position.

For more on the Browns, check out Dawgs By Nature.

Browns Vs. Texans: TV Schedule, Game Time Announcers And More

The Cleveland Browns head to Texas fresh off their loss to the 49ers to take on the Houston Texans in Reliant Stadium.

Peyton Hillis Injury Status: Browns RB Ruled Out For Week 9

Peyton Hillis will miss his third consecutive game for the Cleveland Browns, as the running back was officially downgraded to "out" on Cleveland's injury report due to his balky hamstring, according to the Akron Beacon-Journal. He aggravated the injury, originally sustained Oct. 16 against the Raiders, during Friday's practice. From the newspaper:

Hillis' status for Sunday isn't surprising considering what reporters witnessed Friday. He took a handoff, ran off right guard and started to limp. He immediately threw the ball and his helmet in frustration and later walked off the practice field with a trainer.

After leaving the field, Hillis underwent an MRI. The results have not been announced, so unclear if a decision about Hillis' availability beyond this week has been made. 

Montario Hardesty, Hillis' primary backup, is also sidelined, suffering a calf injury last week. This rash of injuries has paved the way for Chris Ogbonnaya's unexpected rise to prominence. Signed off Houston's practice squad two weeks ago, he'll start against his former teammates this week. A seventh-round pick by the Rams in 2009, Ogbonnaya played college ball at University of Texas with current Browns QB Colt McCoy. 

For more on Cleveland, check out Browns blog Dawgs By Nature. For more on fantasy football, check out Fake Teams and follow @sbnationfantasy on Twitter.

NFL Picks And Predictions Week 9: Browns Vs. Texans

Can Colt McCoy and the Cleveland Browns compete with the Houston Texans? A round table of experts on the internet don't think so.

NFL Odds And Lines Week 9: Browns Vs. Texans

Odds for Sunday's matchup between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans.