NFL Wild Card Playoffs: Texans vs. Browns Live Updates

The 2023 NFL Playoffs will begin Saturday afternoon with the Houston Texans hosting the Cleveland Browns.

HOUSTON — The 2023 NFL Playoffs will begin Saturday afternoon when the Houston Texans take on the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium. The Wild Card match between the two parties will be a rematch of a Week 16 contest, where the Browns took a 36-22 victory over the Texans.

On the Texans' first defensive drive, Joe Flacco connected with Amari Cooper for a 53-yard completion. The play helped the Browns finish their series by scoring the first of five touchdowns. It also marked the first of eight explosive plays the Texans gave up, with Cooper accounting for six.

The Texans will be healthier in their rematch against the Browns. They will take the field with quarterback C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr., who missed the regular season contest due to their respective injuries.

"We gave up too many explosive passes and Amari had an outstanding game," coach DeMeco Ryans said. "Watching it again, he had some of the best catches I’ve seen all year, even though guys were in coverage and position, he still made unbelievable catches. He had an outstanding game, so we just have to be in a position to cover him better. We have to make plays to get off the field on third-down as well."

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium / Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

WHAT: Houston Texans (10-7) vs. Cleveland Browns (11-6)

WHERE: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX (72,220)

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 13, 3:30 p.m. (CT)

TELEVISION: NBC

RADIO: SportRadio 610 AM, 100.3 FM The Bull

ODDS: Texans +2.5 (-118), Moneyline: +110, Total: 44.5 (o -110/u -110)

1st quarter:

The Browns received the ball first and did not get anything going. They recorded six yards in five plays. 

Punt

On 2nd-and-7 Stroud connected with wide receiver Nico Collins for 21 yards. On 2nd and 10, Browns' Myles Garrett was called for offsides. Unfortunately, the Texans were not able to get the first down. 

Punt

Three and out for the Browns.

Punt

On 3rd-and-6, Stroud connected with Collins for a 38-yard pass attempt. The play set the Texans up in the red zone. However, Houston was unable to score a touchdown. Kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn nailed a 21-yard field goal.

Texans 3, Browns 0

Flacco connected with tight end David Njoku for 45 yards. The Browns were able to move the ball deep into the red zone, which ended with running back Kareem Hunt scoring a one-yard touchdown.

Browns 7, Texans 3

Devin Singletary with a much-needed 29-yard gain. On the next play, Stroud connects with John Metchie III for 27 yards. Nico Collins scores on a 16-yard pass attempt from Stroud.

Texans 10, Browns 7

End of 1st

2nd Quarter:

Flacco found wide receiver Harrison Bryant for 47 yards. The Browns were able to record 75 yards in six plays. Hunt scored on an 11-yard touchdown. 

Browns 14, Texans 10

Stroud finds tight end Brevin Jordan for a 76-yard touchdown on the first play of the offensive drive. 

Texans 17, Browns 14

Three and out for the Browns. 

Punt

Three and out for the Texans

Punt

The Browns recorded 14 yards in four plays. 

Punt

The Texans finished their latest drive with a 37-yard touchdown pass between C.J. Stroud and tight end Dalton Schultz. The drive lasted 10 plays for 69 yards.

Texans 24, Browns 14

HALF

3rd Quarter:

Texans received the ball to begin the second half. On 2nd-and-10, Stroud connected with Metchie for 11 yards. Following the play, the Texans were unable to generate more yards.

Punt

After two consecutive three-and-outs, the Browns had put together a solid drive, recording 58 yards in nine plays. However, on 1st -and-10 on Houston's 34-yard line, Steven Nelson recorded a pick-six on Flacco's pass attempt to wide receiver Elijah Moore.

Texans 31, Browns 14

The Texans recorded three consecutive stops. On 4th-and-2, Christian Harris recorded the second straight pick-six.

Texans 38, Browns 14

The Browns recorded 25 yards in 11 plays. On 4th and 6th, Harris ended the drive with a sack on Flacco.

Turnover on down

End of 3rd

4th quarter:

The Texans recorded another touchdown with a 19-yard run made by Devin Singletary. 

Texans 45, Browns 14 

The Browns recorded 21 yards in eight plays. 

Turnover on down

Three and out for the Texans. 

Punt

Three and out for the Browns.

End of game.