In the opening game of the NFL playoffs, cleveland brownsOur proud defense is with rookie sensation CJ Stroud. houston texans crime. The good news for the Browns was that quarterback Joe Flacco played clean football and helped keep the Browns within 10 points at halftime.
Then the third quarter began and the flaccomania quickly dissipated.
Flacco was in good position to close the gap to one possession, and Derek Barnett put pressure on him and it appeared he was throwing the ball away. Unfortunately for him, the pass fell where only Texans cornerback Steven Nelson could catch the ball. Nelson picked off Flacco on an almost punt-like pass and ran it back 82 yards for a breakthrough touchdown.
On the ensuing possession, facing a 4th down with 17 points down, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski went for it deep in his own half. This time it was a no-run for Flacco, but his telegraphed throw to Harrison Bryant was read by linebacker Christian Harris, who joined the No. 6 pick.
Flacco's final third-quarter possession ended with a fourth-down sack and turnover on downs. The Texans didn't touch the ball offensively for more than 10 minutes of play, increasing their lead from 24-14 to 38-14. A turnover on downs led to Texas scoring another touchdown, making it 45-14 early in the fourth quarter.
Flacco came out of semi-retirement to help lead the Browns to the playoffs, but he has thrown 10 interceptions since joining the team in Week 13. Four of those went to the No. 6 pick, and a pair pitched against the Browns. The Texans turned an entertaining and competitive game into a close one.
One year removed from a 3-13-1 season, DeMeco Ryans' Texans will advance to the AFC Divisional Round in his first season as head coach.
