Texans vs. Browns score, takeaways: C.J. Stroud makes history, Joe Flacco throws 2 pick-sixes in playoff rout

In the blink of an eye, Saturday’s Super Wild Card Weekend Showdown between the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns changed on a dime. Just seconds after falling behind in the second quarter, the Texans re-gained the lead and proceeded to score 35 unanswered points in their eventual 45-14 win. 

Fittingly, the go-ahead touchdown was thrown by C.J. Stroud, whose 236 passing yards in the first half is a new rookie playoff record. Stroud, whose three first-half touchdown passes tied a playoff rookie single-game record, gave Houston the lead for good on his 76-yard touchdown pass to Brevin Jordan with 12 minutes left until halftime. His 37-yard touchdown pass to Dalton Schultz late in the half gave Houston a 24-14 lead at intermission. 

The game officially got away from the Browns midway through the third quarter, when Joe Flacco threw the first of his two pick-sixes in a two-minute span. Steven Nelson authored the first pick-six on an 82-yard return. Christian Harris followed suit moments later on his 36-yard catch-and-carry. 

Kareem Hunt scored two first-half touchdowns, but the Browns were unable to keep pace with the Texans, whose 31-point win is the largest margin of victory in franchise postseason history. 

Here’s a closer look at Houston’s fifth postseason win. 

Why the Texans won 

Houston made it a track meet in the first half while forcing Cleveland to try to keep pace. It did so by getting Stroud in rhythm and taking away a Browns running game that gained just 56 yards on 20 carries. Stroud was aided by an offensive line that not allow a single sack. 

In retrospect, Stroud’s touchdown pass to Schultz was a big moment in the game. It further stretched Houston’s lead while putting more pressure on Flacco and the Browns’ offense. That surely contributed to the pick-sixes that ended the game in the third quarter. 

Really, though, this game mostly came down to the play of the two quarterbacks, whose 17-year age gap is the most by opposing playoff QBs. Stroud had a near perfect passer rating, while Flacco continued his trend of turning the ball over. 

Why the Browns lost 

Sure, they had some comebacks this season, including a Week 14 win over the Jaguars that was Flacco’s breakout game with the Browns. But largely, the Browns are a front-running team that thrives off of dictating things to their opponents. That wasn’t the case Sunday. 

Trailing for most of the game forced the Browns to rely more on Flacco, who did complete 15 of his first 19 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown. But Flacco’s early success wasn’t sustainable, as the Texans increased their pressure (sacking Flacco four times) while forcing arrant passes. 

The offense struggled, but Cleveland’s defense also played a huge role in the loss. The unit applied no pressure on Stroud, were unable to keep him in the pocket and put on a clinic for how not to tackle. It was a humbling ending for a defense that had was a major reason why the Browns won 11 games this season despite starting five different quarterbacks. 

Turning point 

Everyone who watched this game knows when the turning point happened. It occurred on Nelson’s pick-six that gave Houston a 31-14 lead with 6:05 left in the third quarter. Derek Barnett’s pressure of Flacco contributed to Nelson’s game-changing play. 

Play of the game 

Nelson’s play changed the game, but Harris’ pick-six moments later sealed the win for Houston. On the play, Harris perfectly read Flacco’s eyes before stepping in front of Harrison Bryant, catching the ball and heading for pay dirt. 

Harris made history by becoming the first player since Texans legend JJ Watt to record a pick-six and a sack in a playoff game. 

We also need to give props to the Texans’ offense on their go-ahead score that saw Jordan receive a huge block by wideout Xavier Hutchinson. 

Quotable I 

“It instills a lot of confidence in us. He’s a God fearing individual. To see a young guy go there and keep his composure. It kind of instills faith in everybody else as well.” Harris on Stroud during his postgame interview with NBC Sports 

Quotable II  What’s next 

The Texans will await their opponent in the AFC divisional round. Houston will host another playoff game if both Kansas City and Buffalo lose over the next two days. The Texans are one win away from advancing to their first-ever AFC title game. 

Cleveland heads into the offseason after going 11-6 during the 2023 season. The Browns made the playoffs despite losing Nick Chubb and Deshaun Watson to season-ending injuries.