3 Takeaways From Browns’ Playoff Loss to Texans

The Browns' season ended with a blowout defeat in Houston

The Browns’ season is over after a 45-14 loss to the Texans in the Wild Card Round on Saturday in Houston.

Here’s three takeaways from the blowout defeat.

January Joe Shows Up, But Not For Long

For two quarters, Cleveland appeared ready to continue to ride the momentum of Joe Flacco, who entered Saturday with a 5-0 record in the Wild Card Round. The record, which earned him the “January Joe” nickname from his time with the Ravens, represented everything a playoff team could rely on from Flacco in the playoffs: a cool demeanor and a consistent, strong arm.

But as soon as the second half began, January Joe became 38-year-old Joe.

Flacco tossed not one, but two pick-sixes to open the third quarter, which put the Browns into an unclimbable hole after they entered halftime with a 10-point deficit. For perhaps the first time since Flacco became the quarterback after receiving a call to help the ailing and injured Browns before Thanksgiving, he played his age.

It wasn’t all bad for Flacco, who threw for 172 yards and one touchdown in the first half. But he was competing against a 22-year-old rookie sensation in Texans QB C.J. Stroud, who played even better. We’ll get to him soon.

For the Browns to win, Flacco needed to eliminate what seemed to be his only weak spot from his unforgettable run to end the regular season: interceptions.

Perhaps January Joe could’ve done that, but the older version of him showed up in an ugly way when the Browns needed him most.

Jan 13, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) throws the ball during the second quarter in a 2024 AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Stroud Torches Defense

The Browns defense has had league-leading success at stopping quarterbacks nearly all season. It’s why defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is a top candidate to win Assistant Coach of the Year and why Myles Garrett is a frontrunner to win Defensive Player of the Year.

The group had no formula to stop Stroud, though. None.

Stroud was the most dangerous player on the field and had no problem ripping through Cleveland’s secondary. Most of his work happened in the first half when he threw for three touchdowns and 236 yards, which was easily the most yards the Browns had allowed in a first half all season. The 45 points allowed in the game were the most Cleveland allowed all season, too.

Stroud’s favorite target, Nico Collins, was open all evening and finished with 96 yards and one touchdown. His running back, Devin Singletary, found success on the ground, too, and rushed for 66 yards on 13 carries and one touchdown.

The performance was uncharacteristic of the Browns defense. They barely even touched Stroud, who went the whole game without a sack.

It wasn’t an uncharacteristic performance from Stroud, who certainly helped the Texans look like the better team even though they were underdogs.

Focus Back On Watson

The Browns’ magical run with Flacco is over.

In all likelihood, Cleveland won’t bring Flacco back next season. Such a move could divide the locker room if Deshaun Watson, who has another three years left on his guaranteed $230 million contract, struggles to begin next year. The Browns also spent a fifth-round pick on Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the last draft with the goal of developing a promising backup quarterback at little cost.

With the odds of Flacco returning small, the focus of the offseason is back on Watson. How will he look after undergoing season-ending surgery on his throwing shoulder? Will he ever be able to play up to the expectations of his massive contract?

If it wasn’t for a promising effort in the second half to lead the Browns over the Ravens in Week 10, Cleveland might not have much to be excited about at the QB position. But Watson looked as good as he’s ever been in a Browns uniform in his final game of the season — and played through his injury to do so — so perhaps he can pick up where he left off once next season begins.

But the Browns still have too much uncertainty than they’d probably prefer at the now Flacco-less QB position, and the questions of Watson’s health and ability to find consistency will once again persist this offseason.