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The 2023 season is officially over for the Browns. In its first playoff game since the 2020 season, Cleveland struggled from the jump on both sides of the ball.
The Browns allowed big plays on defense, but two critical turnovers on offense, which Houston took advantage of to lead the Texans to a 45-14 victory. The Browns couldn’t find an answer offensively in the second half, and the game remained scoreless.
Now, the Browns will go into the offseason reflecting on the highs and lows of the 2023 season and how they handled all the adversity and all the injuries from QB Joe Flacco had two key interceptions on back-to-back offensive tackles in the third quarter, putting the game within reach for Cleveland.
In the third quarter, as the Browns moved down the field, Flacco’s pass was intercepted by cornerback Steven Nelson, who returned it 82 yards for a touchdown. When the Browns got the ball back, they went for it with four outs and second base.
Flacco threw a pass intended for TE Harrison Bryant, but it was intercepted by LB Christian Harris and returned for a touchdown, giving the Texans a 38-14 lead. The Texans clinched the win early in the fourth quarter with their first offense of the quarter.
Stroud passed the ball to running back Devin Singletary, who ran 19 yards to the end zone, giving the Texans a 45-14 lead. However, the Browns defense struggled to get going, allowing three touchdowns in the first half.
A deep pass from Stroud to Collins allowed 37 yards and his third touchdown of the game, giving the Texans a 24-14 lead. In both cases, the Browns offense scored and the defense gave the Texans big plays and opportunities to score.
Houston scored on a 76-yard touchdown run in the second quarter after running back Kareem Hunt scored his second touchdown of the first half. Hunt kept the Browns on the field in the first half.
On his second offense of the game, Flacco connected with TE David Njoku on a deep 45-yard pass that moved him downfield. After a pass to Cooper, the Browns finally entered the red zone.
Hunt then ran up the middle to reach the end zone for a touchdown after a solid block from Wyatt Teller. The Browns allowed 236 yards to the Texans in the first half.