The Houston Texans dominated the Cleveland Browns from start to finish in a 45-14 blowout victory on Super Wild Card Weekend. The Texans’ offense was unstoppable, as rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for 326 yards and four touchdowns, with no interceptions. Stroud connected with four different receivers for scores, including a 76-yard bomb to tight end Brevin Jordan and a 37-yard strike to wideout Dalton Schultz. Running back Devin Singletary added 102 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, as the Texans racked up 483 total yards and 28 first downs.
The Browns’ defense had no answer for the Texans’ explosive playmakers, as they allowed seven plays of 20 yards or more. The Browns’ pass rush was also ineffective, as they sacked Stroud only twice and failed to force any turnovers. The Texans’ defense, on the other hand, was relentless, as they intercepted Browns quarterback Joe Flacco three times and sacked him five times. Linebacker Christian Harris had a monster game, with two interceptions, one sack, and seven tackles. Defensive end Derek Barnett also had a strong performance, with two sacks and a forced fumble.
The Browns’ offense was dismal, as they managed only 248 yards and 14 points. Flacco, who started in place of the injured Baker Mayfield, was erratic and inaccurate, completing 18 of 39 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown, with three picks. The Browns’ running game was also shut down, as they averaged only 3.4 yards per carry. Running back Jerome Ford scored the Browns’ only rushing touchdown, a one-yard plunge in the fourth quarter. Wide receiver David Bell was the lone bright spot for the Browns, as he caught seven passes for 87 yards and a touchdown.
The Texans’ win was their first playoff victory since 2019, when they beat the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round. The Texans will now face the top-seeded Tennessee Titans in the Divisional round, in a rematch of their Week 17 showdown, which the Titans won 34-31. The Browns’ loss was their second consecutive playoff defeat, after they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional round last year. The Browns finished the season with an 11-6 record, their best since 1994.
