2024 NFL Wild-Card Recap: C.J. Stroud, Texans Look Amazing Against Browns

The No. 2 pick in the draft becomes the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game at age 22, while his defense records two pick-sixes.

The storylines were written in the week leading up to an intriguing slate of wild-card games. Now it’s time to play postseason football.

Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams will face a hostile environment Sunday night at Ford Field, with thousands of screaming Detroit Lions fans, who used to adore Stafford and have been waiting three decades for a home playoff game.

Coach Mike McCarthy has a revenge game at 4:30 p.m. ET Sunday when his Dallas Cowboys host the Jordan Love-led Green Bay Packers. Coach Nick Sirianni will get an opportunity to quiet the noise regarding his job status, as the Philadelphia Eagles head to Florida to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Monday Night Football.

While many groan about creating a Peacock account, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins have bigger problems against Mother Nature: Freezing temperatures are expected for Tyreek Hill’s return to Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday night.

Over in Buffalo, the weather was expected to be just as bad due to high winds and snowfall. But the matchup between the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers was postponed for 4:30 p.m. ET Monday, with hopes of better weather.

But first, Joe Flacco put his perfect wild-card record on the line Saturday when his Cleveland Browns clashed with rookie sensation C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans to kickoff the 2023 NFL playoffs. And it wasn’t pretty for the Browns.

Saturday

Texans 45, Browns 14

• What it means for Texans: Houston broke the game open after two pick-sixes in the third quarter—one for 82 yards from cornerback Steven Nelson and the other for 36 yards from linebacker Christian Harris. The Texans’ pass rushers forced Joe Flacco into killer mistakes with frequent hits and pressure. C.J. Stroud also did his part with a sensational first half, including three touchdown passes. The Browns’ secondary had no answers for Stroud and wide receiver Nico Collins. Stroud finished 16-of-21 for 274 yards and no turnovers, and Collins recorded six catches for 96 yards and one touchdown. The surging Texans will play in the divisional round for the first time since 2019, when they blew a 24–0 lead to the Kansas City Chiefs.

• What it means for Browns: Flacco’s turnover issues finally caught up to the Browns. But Cleveland’s offensive line failed to protect Flacco, who took several hits while attempting to throw. The Browns’ defense probably played worse than the offensive line. The defense was ranked near the top of most statistical categories during the season, but the unit played poorly in a handful of road games, including at Indianapolis, Denver and Los Angeles. The theme continued with the Browns failing to contain Stroud, Collins and running back Devin Singletary at NRG Stadium. Flacco finished 34-of-46 for 307 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Tight end David Njoku contributed seven catches for 93 yards. Now the Browns head into the offseason with plenty of uncertainty at quarterback. They likely return to Deshaun Watson, who missed most of the season due to injury. But perhaps the Browns decide to retain Flacco as a backup quarterback.