Led by rookie phenom C.J Stroud, the Houston Texans have embarrassed the Cleveland Browns 45-14 in the opening game of the NFL’s wild card weekend.
Stroud was magnificent, throwing for 274 yards and three touchdown passes (tying an NFL rookie record) in three quarters before he was subbed out for backup quarterback Davis Mills.
While Stroud wasn’t able to claim the NFL rookie record for most touchdowns in a playoff game he (22 years, 102 days) was able to pass his idol Michael Vick (22, years 192 days) as the youngest starting quarterback to win a post-season match.
Stroud and the Texans offence were able to do what they like against a disappointing Browns defensive unit, who entered the game as one of the league’s best.
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The Texans defence meanwhile stood up in a big way, recording two interceptions for touchdowns off Browns quarterback Joe Flacco.
The 38-year-old Flacco, who was a free agent for the first half of the season, had been crucial to the Browns nabbing the fifth seed in the playoffs, turning back the clock to his Super Bowl winning days of the early 2010s with some inspired play.
However, Flacco and the Browns got in a hole soon after halftime and were playing catch up, which forced some errant throws from the veteran.
The two teams exchanged touchdowns early on, with four being scored in the first quarter.
Browns RB Kareem Hunt scored the first of the game, but Stroud found WR Nico Collins on the ensuing drive to give the Texans a 10-7 lead.
Hunt was on the receiving end of a Flacco TD pass on the next drive but again, Houston answered in a big way when Brevin Jordan took a tight end screen 76 yards with 15 seconds left in the first quarter.
Cleveland wouldn’t score another point while the Texans continued to assert their dominance.
Houston led 24-14 at the half but thanks to two defensive touchdowns in the third quarter to Christian Harris and Steven Nelson, the Texans put up an unassailable lead.
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