HOUSTON — Rookie CJ Stroud became the youngest quarterback to win in the playoffs, throwing for 274 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-14 wild-card win over the Cleveland Browns. Joe Flacco returned two interceptions for a score for the Houston Texans. Saturday's match.
Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick in last April's draft, is also the highest-drafted rookie QB taken in the postseason. He tore apart Cleveland's vaunted defense, throwing touchdown passes of 15, 76 and 37 yards.
He was 22 years and 102 days old, passing Michael Vick, who was 22 years and 192 days old in 2002 when the Falcons beat the Packers.
Stroud threw for 236 yards and three touchdowns, giving the Texans a 24-14 lead before halftime. The defense then took over, with Steven Nelson and Christian Harris returning interceptions for touchdowns on back-to-back drives in the third quarter to extend the lead to 38-14.
With nine minutes remaining and the Texans leading 45-14, Stroud's job was done and he was replaced by Davis Mills.
Returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2019, Stroud's stellar play and the leadership of first-year coach DeMeco Ryans transformed the Texans (11-7) from the NFL's laughingstock to AFC South champions.
Flacco, who turns 39 in three days, came off the couch as a starter and finished the regular season 4-1, leading the Browns (11-7) to their third playoff appearance since their 1999 expansion comeback. , took second place. He spent four seasons under coach Kevin Stefanski.
Playing in his 17th postseason game but his first in nine years, Flacco was unable to continue his magical run under the bright lights of the playoffs.
