The Cleveland Browns knew they’d be going on the road for their AFC wild-card round playoff matchup.
Their opponent, the winner of the AFC South, was the question.
The Houston Texans’ victory Saturday, followed by the Jacksonville Jaguars’ loss to the Tennessee Titans the following afternoon, gave the Browns their answer. Houston won its first division title since 2019 as a result of the outcomes. And Sunday set up a rematch of a Christmas Eve game that was a shining moment for Joe Flacco, wideout Amari Cooper and the Browns’ 2023 season.
This time, however, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud – the overwhelming favorite for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year – will be playing.
The game was more of a blowout than the final score suggested, as Cleveland prevailed 36–22.
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In Houston, the Browns got off to a quick start and never looked back. Jerome Ford, the running back, scored in the first two minutes of the contest. The touchdown was set up by a lengthy pass from Flacco to Cooper, which would turn into a recurring theme that day.
Cooper had two touchdowns, including a 75-yarder, and 265 yards on 11 catches, shattering Josh Gordon’s single-game Browns receiving record. Flacco finished with 368 passing yards (27-for-42 on completions), two interceptions, and three touchdowns.
The Texans offence, starting with Case Keenum in place of the injured Stroud, was kept scoreless by the Browns defence until two garbage-time touchdown drives were led by Davis Mills.
What caused C.J. Stroud to miss the Browns game?
In a Week 14 encounter with the New York Jets, Stroud’s helmet took a severe hit as it struck the MetLife Stadium turn. After leaving, he was put under the concussion protocol. As he moved through the protocol in Weeks 15 and 16, he did not practise.
up order to secure a postseason berth, Stroud turned up an outstanding effort on Saturday (20-for-26 passing, 264 yards, two touchdowns) against the Tennessee Titans in Week 17.
Record for Joe Flacco’s career in the playoffs
After Deshaun Watson’s season-ending shoulder injury, the Browns signed Flacco to the practice squad, moving him from the couch—make that the carpool queue. The Browns won every game he started after his debut on December 3 against the Los Angeles Rams. In each of those wins, Flacco has thrown for over 300 yards.
