As the games get bigger, so does CJ Stroud’s play.
The rookie threw for 274 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday’s wild-card matchup, becoming the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game against the Houston Texans, who scored on two interceptions by Joe Flacco , defeated the Cleveland Browns 45-14.
“CJ is the reason we’re in this position,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He is special, a special young man. Special player. No matter how big the moment is, it will continue to shine.
“Our entire team relies on him and he’s capable of shouldering the load.”
Stroud was the No. 2 overall pick in last April’s draft and the highest-drafted rookie quarterback to win in the postseason. He broke down Cleveland’s vaunted defense, throwing a 15-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins, a 76-yard touchdown pass to Brevin Jordan and a 37-yard touchdown pass to Dalton Schultz. yards touchdown pass.
“It’s been a great year and I thank God that I get to spend another week with my teammates,” Stroud said. “It’s like a dream come true.”
In 2002, Stroud passed Michael Vick, who was 22 years and 192 days old, when his Falcons defeated the Packers.
“I’m very fortunate to be considered for a great name like Michael Vick, who was my favorite quarterback growing up,” he said. “Hopefully I can get two wins.”
Before halftime, Stroud passed for 236 yards and scored three touchdowns, and the Texans led 24-14. The defense gained the upper hand after that, with Steven Nelson and Christian Harris breaking interceptions and returning them for touchdowns in the third quarter, extending the lead to 38-14.
“To get 14 more points on top of what CJ has done is really, really important,” Nelson said. “That’s the icing on the cake for us.”
With nine minutes left and the Texans leading 45-14, Stroud had his work cut out for him and was replaced by Davis Mills.
It was the Browns’ worst playoff loss since a 34-0 defeat by the Baltimore Colts on December 29, 1968.
Houston returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2019, as Stroud’s stellar performance and first-year Ryans’ leadership have transformed the Texans (11-7) from the laughingstock of the NFL to the AFC South. champion.
Flacco, who turns 39 on Tuesday, stepped up from the couch as a starter to finish the regular season 4-1. He led the Browns (11-7) to their third postseason appearance since their expansion rebirth in 1999, but the first in four seasons under coach Kevin Stefanski. the second time.
“We picked a bad day to have a bad day,” Stefanks said. “That’s all of us. That’s the players, the coaches, the offense, the defense, the special teams. It’s not good enough.”
Flacco was playing in his 17th playoff game, but for the first time in nine years, he couldn’t continue his magical run under the bright lights of the postseason.
“It’s an absolute disgrace and it’s very difficult to deal with right now,” Flacco said.
He finished with 307 yards and a touchdown pass in the first half, but his fumble under pressure in the third quarter was too much for the Browns to overcome, and Stroud easily passed him that day in his postseason debut.
The previous highest-drafted rookie quarterback to win a playoff game was the New York Jets’ Mark Sanchez, the fifth overall pick in 2009.
Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson started under center for the Texans in their last playoff run but played in just six games for the Browns this season before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. On Saturday, for the second time since surgery, he sat on the sidelines and watched the coming-out party of the man who succeeded him as Houston’s quarterback.
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The sold-out crowd was raucous in anticipation of Houston’s return to the playoffs after three poor seasons in which the team managed just 11 wins. They chanted “MVP! MVP!” the whole game when Stroud dropped back to pass.
Collins had six catches for 96 yards and a touchdown, and Devin Singletary had 66 yards and the final score for Houston.
Kareem Hunt ran for a touchdown and received a touchdown in the first half, but rushed for just 26 yards.
With about two minutes left in the first quarter, Hunter’s 1-yard rush gave the Browns a 7-3 lead.
Collins’ 15-yard touchdown catch put the Texans back in front 10-7.
The Browns regained the lead on their next possession when Hunter caught a tackle from Flacco and ran 11 yards for a touchdown.
But the advantage lasted only 10 seconds, as Jordan caught a short pass and outran multiple defenders. 76 yard touchdown Making it 17-14. It was Houston’s longest game of the season and the longest game in the franchise’s postseason history.
“I’ve been a running back my whole life,” Jordan said. “So I feel like that’s one of the things that I really have as a tight end.”
Stroud’s 37-yard touchdown pass to Schultz extended the lead to 24-14 with about a minute left in the second quarter.
Flacco was hit by Derek Barnett on a throw, and his pass was picked off by Nelson and returned 82 yards for a touchdown, making it 31-14 with about six minutes left in the third quarter.
The Browns went on the offensive on their next fourth-and-2 play, and Flacco was picked off again. This time, Harris returned the ball 36 yards for a score.
The Texans are the first team to throw two interceptions for touchdowns in a game since Seattle on Jan. 5, 2008 against Washington.
