Short-Handed Texans Sustain Blowout Loss to Browns

The Houston Texans will try to stay within the AFC playoff race during their Week 16 contest against the Cleveland Browns.

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans have won five of their last seven games and are still in the postseason hunt, tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts at 8-6, respectively. 

The Texans will try to remain in the postseason race by defeating the Cleveland Browns during their Week 16 contest at NRG Stadium. Houston will play its second consecutive game without rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. Veteran Case Keenum will start in Stroud's absence.

The Browns are riding a two-game winning streak and have won five of their last seven to remain in the playoff picture at 9-5 — two games behind the Baltimore Ravens for the lead in the AFC North. 

The Browns have relied on former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco after Deshaun Watson sustained a season-ending injury. Cleveland is 2-1 since Flacco signed with the Browns in late November.

"He can still throw a nice deep ball," defensive coordinator Matt Burke said. "It’s so effortless, his motion, and he can still sling it. And obviously, he’s got all the experience in the world in terms of operating and running the system, seeing coverages, all of that stuff. 

"He’s really, it’s not a surprise to me that he was able to just slide in. Obviously, kind of at this point in the year and have some success, but I would say that his arm is still all there.”

Texans Browns / Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

WHAT: Cleveland Browns (9-5, 2-4 Road) at Houston Texans (8-6, 5-2 Home)

WHERE: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX (71,995)

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, 12 p.m. CT

TELEVISION: CBS / FuboTV (try it free)

RADIO: Sports Radio 610 (KILT-AM) | 100.3 The Bull

Betting via SI SportsBook

SPREAD: Texans +2.5

TOTAL: 39.5

MONEYLINE: Browns -150, Texans +125

Live game updates will appear here after kickoff.

1st Quarter:

The Browns received the ball first and scored on the opening drive. Flacco began the drive by connecting with Amari Cooper for a 53-yard completion. The drive ended with running back Jerome Ford rushing for a four-yard touchdown.

Browns 7, Texans 0

Rough first offensive drive for the Texans, who recorded 15 yards in eight plays.

Punt

The Texans were able to bounce back following a terrible start. They held the Browns to 12 yards in seven plays. 

Punt

Three and out for the Texans. 

Punt

Flacco connected with Cooper for a 22-yard gain. But outside of that completion, the Texans' defense was able to hold their own against the Browns' offense.

Punt

Running back Devin Singletary picked up a 17-yard gain on 2nd-and-five. But following Singletary's play, the Texans recorded three consecutive empty plays.

Punt

End of 1st

2nd Quarter:

On the Texans' next offensive drive, Flacco connected with Cooper for a 75-yard touchdown.

Browns 14, Texans 0

Dameon Pierce gave the Texans a much-needed boost. In what appears to be a new role, Pierce recorded a 98-yard kick return to give the Texans their first touchdown of the day.

Browns 14, Texans 7

Three and out for the Browns.

Punt

Three and out for the Texans.

Punt

The Texans allowed the Browns to record their third touchdown with Flacco connecting with tight end David Njoku for a 21-yard connection. The Browns were able to record 50 yards in seven plays. 

Browns 22, Texans 7

Three-and-out for the Texans. 

Punt

The Texans recorded a much-needed takeaway on their latest defensive drive. Defensive back DeAndre Houston-Carson intercepted Flacco's pass attempt to wide receiver Marquise Goodwin.

Turnover

The Texans were unable to capitalize on Houston-Carson's interception. Keenum gave the ball right back to the Browns by throwing an interception to linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. 

Turnover

The Browns were able to get into the Texans' red zone, but cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. recorded his fifth interception of the season. 

Halftime

3rd quarter: 

Three and out for the Texans

Punt

The Browns extended their lead to 21 points following a drive that led to 89 yards in 20 plays. The series ended with Flacco connecting with Cooper for a seven-yard touchdown.

Browns 28, Texans 7

Another interception was thrown by Keenum. Wide receiver Noah Brown was Keenum's target, but safety Duron Harmon came away with the pick. 

Turnover

End of 3rd

4th Quarter:

The Browns recorded 50 yards in 12 plays. Their latest drive ended with running back Kareem Hunt rushing for a one-yard touchdown.

Browns 36, Texans 7

Three and out for the Texans.

Punt

Four-and-out for the Browns. 

Turnover on down

The Texans recorded their second touchdown of the game, with quarterback Davis Mills finding wide receiver Nico Collins for a five-yard touchdown. Houston's offensive drive ended with 61 yards on 10 plays. 

Browns 36, Texans 15

The Texans obtained the on-side kick, which led to Houston's third touchdown of the game. Houston's offensive drive resulted in 53 yards in 11 plays.

Browns 36, Texans 22

The Browns recorded 12 yards in 10 plays. 

Turnover on down

The Texans' final offensive drive resulted in a turnover on down.

Browns 36, Texans 22

End of Game