SI

Desmond King Took Down Joe Flacco With One of the Strangest Tackles You’ll See

The Texans cornerback defied physics.

Patrick Andres

Desmond King Took Down Joe Flacco With One of the Strangest Tackles You’ll See
Desmond King Took Down Joe Flacco With One of the Strangest Tackles You’ll See /
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The Houston Texans‘ offense carved up the Cleveland Browns’ defense in the first half of the two teams' wild card game Sunday, exploding for 24 points.

However, the half’s most unusual highlight may have been provided by the Texans’ defense.

As Browns quarterback Joe Flacco tried to scramble with 7:18 left in the first half, cornerback Desmond King lit up the veteran gunslinger with a vicious tackle. The force of the hit caused King to spin—almost as if break-dancing—on Flacco's helmet.

The odd physics of the tackle made it an instant viral hit. Take a look at the unusual play here.

King, 29, has had a decent 2023 season five years after making the first All-Pro team with the Los Angeles Chargers. Released by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 18, he joined Houston's active roster in November.

Depending on the fate of the Texans' season, the Iowa product's fearless hit has all the makings of a future highlight-reel mainstay.

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Patrick Andres
PATRICK ANDRES

Patrick Andres is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in December 2022, having worked for The Blade, Athlon Sports, Fear the Sword and Diamond Digest. Andres has covered everything from zero-attendance Big Ten basketball to a seven-overtime college football game. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a double major in history .

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