How Will Joe Flacco's Browns Attack Texans in Wild Card Round?

Joe Flacco had a huge day against the Texans just a few weeks ago. How will the Cleveland Browns schematically attack Houston's defense in the playoffs?

Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco was the journeyman who stole Christmas just a few weeks ago, strolling into NRG Stadium and helping dismantle the Houston Texans 36-22.

Without star quarterback C.J. Stroud to take down an elite Cleveland defense, Houston never had much of a shot. But Houston’s defensive performance was one of its worst of the season and unacceptable given the playoff implications.

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Ultimately, both of these teams made the playoffs, and they are now set for a sequel – this time with Stroud under center. The Texans will host the Browns on Saturday, hoping to douse the fire Flacco has set.

He’s made a shoo-in Comeback Player of the Year award selection an actual race with his mid-season ascension from stay-at-home dad to dart-throwing quarterback.

Appearing in five games, Flacco has thrown for an incredible 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns with just eight interceptions. He’s revitalized a Cleveland offense that has started five quarterbacks in 18 weeks and made them a legitimate threat in the AFC playoff picture.

The damage Flacco could do was evident in Houston when he lit the Texans up for 363 yards and three touchdowns, fueling receiver Amari Cooper’s record-setting 265-yard performance.

Cleveland took advantage of Houston’s shortcomings in the back seven by utilizing play action on early downs. Houston tends to play in its base 4-3 more often on early downs than other teams, leaving less athleticism on the field to better stop the run. The Browns in turn responded by giving Flacco opportunities to turn his back to the defense, fake a handoff, and air it out.

On the year, it’s been incredibly successful. He’s thrown for 871 yards (12.8 per attempt) and seven touchdowns on 68 play-action attempts. It’s where Flacco has been most effective, and where Cleveland will likely look to go again. In Houston, he completed 10 of his 15 play-action attempts for 209 yards and a score.

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With success like that, it seems inevitable that Flacco will return with a similar plan of attack. Head coach DeMeco Ryans’ adjustments, whether it be opting for an extra defensive back or throwing changeups in the coverage scheme, could go a long way in deciding Saturday’s contest.