REAPORT: NFL playoff romp for the Browns quarterback Joe Flacco unravels as the Texans return two interceptions for touchdowns.
A fatal defect was covered up by the overwhelming euphoria surrounding Joe Flacco’s (Q) incredible comeback story.
Turnovers. Specifically, intercepts. In the third quarter of Saturday’s AFC wild-card game against the Houston Texans, which Houston won 45-14, Flacco also threw two of the worst sort of passes. It was the first postseason game the AFC South champions have won since the 2019 playoffs.
More than halfway through the third quarter, with Cleveland behind 24-14, Flacco dropped back on first-and-10 from the Houston 34-yard line. Derek Barnett, a defensive lineman with the Texans, applied pressure on Flacco while he was throwing. It seemed like the quarterback was trying to get rid of the ball. However, it landed in Houston CB Steven Nelson’s stomach. The ninth-year wide receiver dashed down the sidelines while
Two minutes and eight seconds later, Flacco committed his next error. Harrison Bryant, a tight end, was targeted by him across the middle. Christian Harris, a weakside linebacker, escaped his notice. After intercepting the ball, the Alabama second-year athlete proceeded 36 yards to reach the end zone.
With 4:06 remaining in the third, the Texans lead 38–14, signaling that the rout had officially begun. When Todd Collins of the Washington Redskins threw two pick-sixes against the Seattle Seahawks in the 2007 postseason, Flacco became the first player to do it.
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In each of the six games that he started for Cleveland, Flacco threw an interception. The former star player for the Baltimore Ravens recorded eight interceptions in addition to two multi-pick games. Had he had enough attempts to be eligible, his 3.9% interception rate would have been the highest in the league.
After defeating the New York Jets on “Thursday Night Football” on December 28, Flacco—who will be 39 on Tuesday—thought back on the path that took him from his “couch”—carpooling his kids—to the postseason a few weeks apart.
Flacco stated, “You don’t know how many of these moments you’re going to get,” according to the Browns. Few people have the chance to have children as old as mine who comprehend the situation and are able to see it firsthand. In the end, I believe it’s extremely wonderful for me, but I also think it’s cool for them. This will stick in my memory for the rest of my life. Additionally, anything you do with the people you love, especially your kids, only makes everything better.
By the time the fourth quarter began, the game was well out of reach, but Flacco’s competitive spirit persisted. For the first down, he raced eight yards after dodging a pass pressure. The University of Delaware product hit a fair number of huge complete throws with zip. He made seven (11 targets) for 93 yards with his favorite target, David Njoku.
Flacco completed the game 34-for-46 for 307 yards via the air, including a touchdown. This is his sixth straight game with at least 300 yards passing. A potential homecoming for Flacco versus No. 1 seed Baltimore in the divisional round was thwarted by the Browns’ defeat.
Houston Texans’ comeback is Texas-sized.
The Texans fell to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18, which cost them the top spot, 370 days ago.
Since then, a lot has transpired. Head coach DeMeco Ryans was appointed. Bobby Slowik was appointed as his offensive coordinator by him. In his first season, Stroud has developed into one of the league’s most complete passers, and general manager Nick Caserio used that No. 2 choice on him. GM made a trade-up to get Will Anderson Jr., an edge rusher. It was a wise decision in Year 1 as well.
In addition to forcing game-changing errors and scoring points, Ryans’ defense limited the Browns to 2.9 yards per rush. The Texans got in Flacco’s face many times and sacked him four times.
