Browns Film Breakdown: How The Texans Exposed The NFL's Top Defense

Discover what went so wrong for the Cleveland Browns, particularly on defense, in a 45-14 Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans

A memorable Browns season came to a screeching halt on Saturday in unexpected fashion, as the Houston Texans cruised to a 45-14 victory. While it certainly doesn't diminish what a successful 2023 campaign that ended with a second playoff appearance in four years, it was a stunning outcome for a team that boasted the best defense in football.

Jim Schwartz unit found itself outclassed over the weekend by Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who took advantage of Cleveland's overaggressive, man-to-man style of play by utilizing a lot of misdirection and tendency breakers to confuse the defense.

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Houston's Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud also deserves all the praise being showered on him this season. He's been phenomenal this year, and showcased his pinpoint accuracy and stoic pocket presence against the Browns on Saturday night. The win made him the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game in NFL history and it's safe to say there are plenty more to come for the Ohio State product.

Conversely, Joe Flacco's magic ran out at the worst possible time for Cleveland, as his two pick sixes in the third quarter sealed the team's fate, even though the first one was meant to be a throwaway.

In the latest episode of Brownie Breakdowns we discuss what went so wrong for the Browns defense and how their identity as a man-to-man team actually became a weakness. Stubbornly perhaps, Schwartz stuck to his guns, which isn't abnormal per se, but not having a backup plan also proved costly. We also came across a number of plays that left us wondering how the game may have turned out had they gone in favor of the Browns.

Painful as it may be, re-watch along with us and find just what led to things going so sideways in Houston.