HOUSTON — Rookie C.J. Stroud became the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game after throwing for 274 yards and three touchdowns, and the Houston Texans returned two interceptions by Joe Flacco for scores in a 45-14 rout of the Cleveland Browns in a wild-card matchup Saturday.
Stroud, the second overall pick in the draft last April, is also the highest-drafted rookie QB to win in the postseason. He picked apart Cleveland’s vaunted defense, throwing touchdown passes of 15, 76 and 37 yards
At 22 years and 102 days old, he passed Michael Vick, who was 22 years, 192 days old in 2002 when his Falcons beat the Packers.
Stroud threw for 236 yards and three touchdowns before halftime as the Texans built a 24-14 lead. The defense took over after that, with Steven Nelson and Christian Harris returning interceptions for touchdowns on consecutive drives in the third quarter to extend the lead to 38-14.
With the Texans up 45-14 with nine minutes to go, Stroud’s work was done, and he was replaced by Davis Mills.
Back in 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 NFL laughingstock to AFC South champions.
Flacco, who turns 39 in three days, came off the couch to go 4-1 as a starter to end the regular season and lead the Browns (11-7) to just their third playoff appearance since their 1999 expansion rebirth, but second in four seasons under coach Kevin Stefanski.
Playing in his 17th postseason game but first in nine years, Flacco couldn’t continue his magical run under the bright lights of the playoffs.
First half highlights
No score yet in the first half, but Stroud was sharp in the Texans opening drive.
This Stroud pass set up Houston first and goal, setting Houston up for the game's first points in a Ka'imi Fairbairn field goal.
Cleveland would score a go-ahead touchdown on this Kareem Hunt run.
But Houston would take the ensuing kickoff and drive the length of the field to take a 10-7 lead. It was this Stroud to Collins scoring strike that put Houston back on top.
Cleveland would retake the lead on a Flacco to Kareem hunt shovel pass.
It only took Houston one play to get right back on top! Stroud to Brevin Jordan gave the Texans a 17-14 lead.
Houston extended the lead before halftime on this Stroud to Dalton Schultz touchdown pass. This made it 24-14 Houston.
Second half highlights
The Texans score first in the second half on this Steven Nelson pick six. 31-14 Texans.
And ANOTHER pick-six on Flacco - this time from Christian Harris.