CLE
Cleveland Browns
72.5PFM Team Score#30 NFL
Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Texans: PFM Team Comparison
The Houston Texans hold a clear overall advantage over the Cleveland Browns in the current PFM ratings. Houston separates itself through the steadier quarterback room and the clearer long-term football direction.
Current PFM Team Scores
Clear edgeHOU
Houston Texans
79.6PFM Team Score#16 NFL
WEEK 10 MATCHUP
Sunday, Nov. 15 1:00 PM ET
View on NFL Schedule PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Rates the Houston Texans Higher
Quarterback is the clearest separator. C.J. Stroud gives Houston more certainty than the Cleveland Browns have at the position. Cleveland's strongest counterargument is Defense. The Cleveland Browns have the more dependable defense. It does not need the offense to answer every possession to keep control of a game.
Houston also brings the clearer long-term football direction. Houston adds the more dependable offense. The Houston Texans still deserves the higher PFM rating.
TEAM DNA COMPARISON
Cleveland vs. Houston Across the Core Pillars
The farther a team reaches, the stronger the rating. Each category also calls out which team has the edge and the exact gap. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team.
CLECleveland Browns
HOUHouston Texans
THE COUNTERARGUMENT
Cleveland Browns’ Best Argument
The Cleveland Browns own the stronger defense. More dependable stops give the offense better field position and keep one bad drive from controlling the day. The defense advantage is a real point in Cleveland's favor, but it does not outweigh the rest of the higher-rated team’s advantages. The problem for Cleveland is that Houston counters with the steadier quarterback room and the clearer long-term football direction.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
CLE72.5
Cleveland Browns 72.5HOU79.6
Houston Texans 79.6Overall NFL Rank
CLE#30
Cleveland Browns #30HOU#16
Houston Texans #16QB Stability
CLE67.8
Cleveland Browns 67.8HOU82.1
Houston Texans 82.1Roster Strength
CLE75.6
Cleveland Browns 75.6HOU78.8
Houston Texans 78.8Coaching Direction
CLE73.3
Cleveland Browns 73.3HOU80.7
Houston Texans 80.7Recent Performance
CLE73.6
Cleveland Browns 73.6HOU73.8
Houston Texans 73.8Offense
CLE71.9
Cleveland Browns 71.9HOU81.4
Houston Texans 81.4Defense
CLE82.5
Cleveland Browns 82.5HOU79.6
Houston Texans 79.6Franchise Direction
CLE69.5
Cleveland Browns 69.5HOU79.9
Houston Texans 79.9Explosiveness
CLE75.6
Cleveland Browns 75.6HOU81.2
Houston Texans 81.2Conference Rank
CLE#14
Cleveland Browns #14HOU#9
Houston Texans #9Division Rank
CLE#4
Cleveland Browns #4HOU#2
Houston Texans #2Outlook
CLEPlayoff Long ShotHOUIn the Playoff Mix
Stronger outlook: Houston TexansSCHEDULE CONTEXT
Which Team Has the Tougher Road?
Cleveland Browns
Remaining schedule rank: #27
Toughest stretch: Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals
Strongest opponents: Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans
Next five difficulty: 77.5
View Cleveland Browns Road AheadHouston Texans
Remaining schedule rank: #29
Toughest stretch: Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Commanders, Jacksonville Jaguars
Strongest opponents: Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers
Next five difficulty: 76.7
View Houston Texans Road AheadCleveland has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 27. The strongest opponents include Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, and the Houston Texans. Houston also has the more favorable road, which adds to the steadier quarterback room and the clearer long-term football direction.
Explore Both Team Dashboards
Ratings and Schedule Freshness
PFM ratings updated November 3, 2026. Schedule data updated November 9, 2026.
How to Read This Comparison
PFM Team Score determines the overall order. The Team DNA comparison puts five core pillars on the same 0–100 scale, while the full rows show every current category.
PFM compares overall team strength rather than predicting one matchup. Road Ahead adds schedule context without changing PFM Team Score.
PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams