The AFC playoff picture is locked in with the 7 teams, just waiting to see who wins the Bills/Dolphins game tonight to finalize the seeding. However, that game is irrelevant to MY Cleveland Browns, who are set to square off against the Houston Texans.
Texans faced off agains the Colts last night with both teams needing a win, and some help to secure a playoff spot. The Texans handled their business in Indy, and with some help from the Tennessee Titans, upsetting the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Texans are playoff bound. Rookie QB C.J. Stroud completed 20 of 26 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns. Stroud threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to WR Nico Collins in the first quarter to take an early lead. I will go on record, admitting I have been a #StroudBoy this season, but unfortunately that will die with the regular season, and with my fantasy football season being over.
I couldn't think of a more electric QB match up in a playoff game than CJ Stroud vs Joe Flacco. Reminds me of when Peyton Manning and Tom Brady would face off in late January, knowing one of the two would be in the Super Bowl.
The Browns recently faced the Texans when they traveled to Houston in Week 16 and beat the Texans 36-22. It was a critical road win for the Browns to showcase how they can be as dominant on the road as they were at home during the regular season. A big take away from that game, is that Flacco was the starting QB for the Browns and got a read on the Texans defense.
Some bad takeaways from that game is that the Browns virtually had no running game that day, CJ Stroud did not play, and they let Davis Mills throw two TD's.
Amari Cooper did have a field day against the Texans, a few weeks ago. “Not to disrespect their defensive backs, but it seemed like everything was flowing well and it kind of seemed a little bit easier,” Cooper said. “To be completely candid, I would attribute most of it to Joe, He has an incredible feel for the game. He has an incredible arm. The best way of explaining it is that we mesh well together.” 11 catches, 215 yards, 2 touchdowns.
Early Prediction. Browns 31 Texans 23.
I need a Browns win like I need air to breathe. So I can make the road trip down to Baltimore and watch Joe Flacco snatch the souls of Ravens fans down at MT&T Bank stadium yo.