HOUSTON — The Houston Texans’ game at the Cleveland Browns on Sunday could feature old-fashioned football.

The Browns (50.9 percent) and Texans (50.5) run the ball more than any other teams in the NFL. The Browns average 33.3 carries per game and the Texans 31.2.

In their victory last week at Cincinnati, the Browns ran 52 times – their most carries since 1987.

The Texans are fourth in rushing. The Browns are 28th in run defense.

The weather is supposed to be in the high 30s with snow.

This game could remind of the old AFC Central – Oilers vs. Browns on the banks of Lake Erie.

“I love it,” coach Bill O’Brien said about playing in snow and cold and being forced to pound the ball to win.

Those are ideal conditions for defensive end J.J. Watt.

“I enjoy playing old-fashioned football,” Watt said. “I like that style. I grew up in the cold and snow in Wisconsin. I like playing in those conditions.

“Growing up in the cold is a little different than down here. Football season in Wisconsin is when you get that crisp in the air. As you play, you get a little more and then some snow.

“Today is the first time here we’ve really got that crisp in the air, so I got a little extra pep in my step.”

Running back Arian Foster, who’s nursing a groin injury, didn’t have any pep in his step on Wednesday. He sat out practice. By the time the Texans get to Cleveland, he will have had two weeks to heal.

Foster is second in the league with 822 carries, including a 5.1-yard average. He has scored 10 touchdowns.

Obviously, his absence would be a catastrophic loss. The only game the Texans didn’t have a chance to win in the fourth quarter this season was their 30-17 loss at the New York Giants. Foster didn’t play because of a hamstring injury.

If Foster can’t play, he’ll be replaced by rookie Alfred Blue, who has 234 yards on 68 carries.

SERIES HISTORY: 8th regular-season game. The Texans lead the series 4-3. The Browns have a 2-1 advantage at home. The Texans won the last game 30-12 at NRG Stadium in 2011. They also won the last game at FirstEnergy Stadium 16-6 in 2008.

GAME PLAN: The Texans and Browns should have similar game plans because both rely so heavily on the run. The Browns lead the NFL with an average of 33.3 rushes per game. The Texans are third with 31.2 per game. Cleveland runs on 50.9 percent of its plays, the Texans 50.5. They’re two of only three teams that run at least 50 percent of the time.

The Texans want to protect first-time starter Ryan Mallett with their running game built around Arian Foster. Expect them to be conservative early to help Mallett get into a rhythm. How much they allow him to do as far as opening up the offense depends on how successful he is. If they stack the box, expect him to test them deep because he has a strong arm and gives them a downfield attack that was missing with Ryan Fitzpatrick.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

–Texans ROLB Whitney Mercilus, who had two sacks in the last game against Philadelphia, vs. Browns LT Joe Thomas, who might be the best in the NFL at his position. Mercilus has been taking advantage of Jadeveon Clowney’s absence. He’s coming off the best four-game stretch of his career with four sacks and career highs in tackles in two games. Thomas, the eighth overall pick in 2007, should be able to handle him without help. Thomas is too powerful to bull rush. He has a wide wing span and reacts well to second moves. Unless Mercilus can use his quickness to beat Thomas around the corner or get him off balance to slip inside, he’s going to have a long afternoon.

–Texans RB Arian Foster, who’s the league’s second-leading rusher with 822 yards, vs. Browns ILB Karlos Dansby, who’s outstanding against the run. Foster has a groin injury and is day-to-day, but he has only missed one game this season because of an injury – against the Giants in September. He sets up his blocks well, accelerates through holes and is superb at weaving in and out of defenders. Dansby is in his first season with the Browns and has 69 tackles, including 35 unassisted. At 33, he still packs a punch. He’s a terrific pass rusher for a player at his position, recording three sacks so far. He sheds blockers effectively and flows to the ball well. He’ll keep a close eye on Foster, who the Browns will try to contain in the backfield and gang tackle if possible.