The Cleveland Browns playoff run ended before it could get going Saturday afternoon as they suffered a 45-14 blowout at the hands of the Houston Texans. In the first game of the three-day wildcard weekend, the orange and brown were the first team eliminated after a blowout effort and result.
The Browns took a 7-3 lead late in the first quarter that was answered by the Texans. Then, another impressive browns drive had them up 14-10 early in the second quarter, but that was as far as they got.
Touchdown passes of 76 and 37 yards respectively by Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud put a big damper on the Cleveland Browns playoff run hopes. A 24-14 deficit at halftime was as far as the Browns offense got scoring-wise the rest of the game.
KAREEM HUNT DOES IS AGAIN. #Browns pic.twitter.com/O3SmtLU2dg
— Browns fan UK (@brownsfanuk) January 13, 2024
This Super Bowl Aspiring Team Came Up Short During Wildcard Weekend
Then, after halting the Texans on their opening drive, Browns got the ball back looking to close the gap and get back in the contest. Quarterback Joe Flacco continued his turnover woes, throwing two interceptions that were both returned for touchdowns. They occurred just under two minutes apart and led to a 24-point deficit in a matter of minutes.
A touchdown run early in the fourth quarter by the Texans put the nail in the coffin. Furthermore topping off a dominant showing on both sides of the ball in the 45-14 win.
Cleveland Browns Playoff Run Is Over
Quarterback Joe Flacco had a very up-and-down game and his statline showed it. He finished 34/46 for 307 passing yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. These picks immediately resulted in 14 points for the Texans. Tight end David Njoku was one of the lone bright spots yet again as he finished with seven catches and a team-high 93 receiving yards.
Tight end Harrison Bryant also had arguably his best game of the season with four catches for 65 yards. Additionally, wide receiver David Bell stepped up with eight catches and 54 receiving yards. Amari Cooper, the star of the previous matchup, finished with four catches and 59 yards.
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The running game never got going, as running back Kareem Hunt led the team with just 26 yards on eight carries. Running back Jerome Ford had just 17 yards on nine carries.
On the contrary, linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was the best player on the field for the orange and brown. He showed why the Cleveland Browns playoff aspirations should have been more and played like it. Additionally, he was flying all over the field. He finished with nine total tackles, eight solo tackles, and four of the five tackles for loss by the entire team.
In the end, there was not much more to note by the team’s performance. Other than acknowledging the beatdown that took place in the second half. The Browns will look to finish off next season in the postseason next year, with a deeper run being the goal.
What’s Next?
With the rollercoaster of a season in the books, the Browns head into an offseason where they do not hold a first-round pick. They do have picks in the second and third rounds, which will bring a variety of options. Getting healthy and rounding out the roster, while maintaining their stars, will be the priorities on the bulleted list of a successful offseason.
Main Image: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
