Within the opening sport of the NFL Playoffs, the Cleveland Browns’ vaunted protection was ripped aside within the 1st half in opposition to rookie sensation C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans offense. The excellent news for the Browns was quarterback Joe Flacco performed clear soccer and helped preserve them to inside a 10-point halftime deficit.
Then the third quarter occurred, and Flacco-mania quickly unraveled.
In good place to chop the deficit to 1 possession, Flacco was pressured by Derek Barnett and throwing the ball away. Sadly for him, the go landed the place solely Texans cornerback Steven Nelson was capable of catch the ball. Fielding it nearly like a punt, Nelson picked off Flacco and took it again for a backbreaking 82-yard landing.
On the following possession and confronted with 4th and a pair of down by 17, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski went for it deep in his personal territory. This time it was a clear pocket for Flacco, however his telegraphed throw to Harrison Bryant was learn by linebacker Christian Harris, who joined the pick-6 social gathering.
Flacco’s last third quarter possession ended with a 4th down sack and a turnover on downs. With out touching the ball on offense for over 10 minutes of sport time, the Texans elevated their lead from 24-14 to 38-14. The turnover on downs resulted in one other Texan landing to make it 45-14 early within the 4th quarter.
Whereas Flacco did his half to come back out of semi-retirement to assist get the Browns into the playoffs, he’s additionally thrown 10 interceptions since becoming a member of the workforce in Week 13. 4 of them have became pick-6s, and the pair thrown in opposition to the Texans turned an entertaining, aggressive sport right into a blowout.
A 12 months faraway from a 3-13-1 season, Demeco Ryans’ Texans will advance to the AFC Divisional Spherical in his first season as head coach.
