CJ Stroud becomes youngest QB to win playoff game as Texans stomp Browns

Rookie CJ Stroud became the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game after throwing for 274 yards and three touchdowns, and the Houston Texans returned two interceptions by Joe Flacco for scores in a 45 14 rout of the Cleveland Browns in a wildcard matchup Saturday. Steelers Bills playoff game postponed to Monday due to impending winter storm Read more Stroud, the second overall pick in the draft last April, is also the highest drafted rookie QB to win in the postseason.

He picked apart Cleveland’s vaunted defense, throwing touchdown passes of 15, 76 and 37 yards. At 22 years and 102 days old, he passed Michael Vick, who was 22 years, 192 days old in 2002 when his Falcons beat the Packers. Stroud threw for 236 yards and three touchdowns before halftime as the Texans built a 24 14 lead.

The defense took over after that, with Steven Nelson and Christian Harris returning interceptions for touchdowns on consecutive drives in the third quarter to extend the lead to 38 14. Back in the playoffs for the first time since 2019, Stroud’s stellar play and the leadership of first year coach DeMeco Ryans transformed the Texans (11 7) from NFL laughingstock to AFC South champions.

Flacco, who turns 39 in three days, came off the couch to go 4 1 as a starter to end the regular season and lead the Browns (11 7) to just their third playoff appearance since their 1999 expansion rebirth, but second in four seasons under coach Kevin Stefanski. skip past newsletter promotion Sign up to Soccer with Jonathan Wilson Free weekly newsletter Jonathan Wilson brings expert analysis on the biggest stories from European soccer Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties.

For more information see our Privacy Policy . We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion Playing in his 17th postseason game but first in nine years, Flacco couldn’t continue his magical run under the bright lights of the playoffs..