Browns at Texans: Postgame Observations From Flacco, Cooper's Record-Setting Day

It was an afternoon of pure domination from the Browns on Sunday as they went to Houston and delivered an early Christmas present to the Cleveland faithful, with their 10th win of the season

The Browns entered Sunday knowing clinching a playoff berth was off the table after results from the Steelers and Bills games on Saturday. That was of little concern to these resilient Browns though, who took it to the Texans to earn a 36-22, runaway win – their 10th of the season.

The victory had a little bit of everything for Cleveland. Joe Flacco continued his renaissance season. The defense was dominant, turning Houston over twice and suffocating their offense most of the day. It even featured a kickoff return for a touchdown, granted that went against the Browns.

Here's this week's observations.

1) He's An Elite One

The legend of Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns quarterback grows. 

Yes there were the two picks. One of those was a fluke, end of the first half toss ups when Cleveland couldn't settle for field goals because of an injury to Dustin Hopkins. The 38-year-old was balling in Houston today. His best throw of the day, an absolute seed of a 21-yard TD pass to David Njoku on the team's third TD of the first half. 

At the break, Flacco was 12-for-22, 223 yards 2 TDs. It was a banner day all around for the 16-year veteran who finished 27-of-42 for 368 yards and three scores. 

2) About That Road Defense...

There's been a lot of talk about the Browns defensive struggles on the road. They entered Week 16 having allowed 30-plus points per game on the road. 

Today, the old adage that defense travels proved true as Cleveland's stingy defense allowed Houston into the end zone only two times, allowing 15 total points. Yes there's the context of Houston missing C.J. Stroud so the offense wasn't at it's best. But it was a positive sign, especially with Cleveland being poised for a wild card berth that would require them to go on the road throughout the playoffs, that the defense showed up on the road.

3) 1K Cooper

It was brought to Amari Cooper's attention this week that he needed just 15 yards to become the first receiver in Browns history to go for over 1,000 yards receiving in back-to-back seasons. He made quick work of that feat, hauling in a 53-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage. He also broke another franchise record, racking up 265 yards on the day to establish a new mark for receiving yards in road game. Just a remarkable day for the sure-handed Cooper.

4) Hopkins On The Mend

Perhaps the only thing that went wrong for the Browns on Sunday was, naturally, injury-related as the team lost kicker Dustin Hopkins early on. The 33-year-old tried to make a play on Pierce, who took a second quarter kickoff back 98-yards for a score. He didn't return, but his outlook moving forward for the rest of the season is where attention turns now. 

He's been a Godsend for the Browns this season. They can't afford to lose him. 

5) Thursday Night Is As Good As Any

After Saturday, the Browns knew they could no longer clinch a playoff berth this weekend but Cleveland took its typical "1-0 each week" approach to Week 16 and walked away victorious regardless. Now the stage is set for the Browns to clinch that postseason berth in front of their hometown fans in prime time, on Thursday Night Football against the Jets. Browns fans wouldn't have it any other way.