Stroud becomes youngest QB to win a playoff game
HOUSTON — Rookie C.J. 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 wild-card matchup Saturday.
Stroud, the second overall pick in the draft last April, is also the highestdrafted rookie QB to win in the postseason. He picked apart Cleveland’s vaunted defense, throwing touchdown passes of 15 yards to Nico Collins, 76 to Brevin Jordan and 37 to Dalton Schultz.
At 22 years and 102 days old, Stroud 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.
With the Texans up 4514 with nine minutes to go, Stroud’s work was done, and he was replaced by Davis Mills.
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.
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.
He finished with 307 yards and had a touchdown pass in the first half, but his mistakes under pressure in the third quarter were too much for the Browns to overcome on a day when Stroud easily outshined him in his playoff debut.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle
The previous highestdrafted rookie QB to win a postseason game was the New York Jets’ Mark Sanchez, who was the fifth overall pick in 2009.
Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson was under center for the Texans during their last playoff run but played just six games for the Browns this season before having season-ending shoulder surgery. He was on the sideline Saturday for just the second time since his surgery, watching the coming out party for the man who replaced him as Houston’s franchise quarterback.
The sellout crowd was rowdy and ready for Houston’s return to the postseason after three awful seasons where the team combined for just 11 wins. They chanted “MVP! MVP!” throughout the game when Stroud dropped back to pass.
Collins had six receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown, and Devin Singletary ran for 66 yards and a late score for Houston.
Kareem Hunt ran for a touchdown and had a TD reception in the first half, but had just 26 yards rushing.
Chiefs safety Mike Edwards celebrates an interception off Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in theirAFC wild-card game on Saturday. It was minus-4 degrees at kickoff. The game did not end in time for this
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Don’t worry if your favorite NFL team failed to make the playoffs. A quick fix to that fixer-upper isn’t out of the question even if a new coach or quarterback is needed.
Just look at the Houston Texans’ turnaround. They won the AFC South one year after finishing in last place, and they’re the first team in the Super Bowl era to win its division with a rookie head coach (DeMeco Ryans) and a rookie quarterback (C.J. Stroud).
In 19 of the last 21 seasons, at least one team has won its division a year after finishing in last place.
In all, six teams reached the playoffs after missing them a year ago. Joining the Texans in the AFC field are the Steelers and Browns, who earned a wild-card berth a year after finishing last in the AFC North.
In the NFC, the Rams, Packers and Lions are all in after missing out in 2022.
The 18 non-playoff teams have a head start on their roster rebuilding over the 14 franchises still harboring hopes of winning Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas on Feb. 11.
Here are the non-playoff teams by draft order:
1. CHICAGO BEARS (7-10) (from the Carolina Panthers 2-15): The Bears acquired Carolina’s 2024 first-round pick as part of a blockbuster trade last March that also netted Chicago sixth-year WR D.J. Moore, who set career highs in catches (96), yards (1,364) and TDs (8).
The Bears are bringing back HC Matt Eberflus but fired OC Luke Getsy. Justin Fields showed enough progress to give the Bears flexibility.
2. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (4-13): The Commanders lost their final eight games after opening with back-to-back victories. Yes, Ron Rivera was fired after going 20-46-1 in four seasons. Sam Howell became the first Washington QB to start every game in a season since Kirk Cousins in 2017, but the Commanders are in prime position to land a premier prospect in the draft.
3. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (4-13): Bill Belichick had a fizzling finish to his incredible 24 seasons in New England.
Yes, the Patriots moved fast by promoting Jerod Mayo as Belichick’s replacement just one day after Belichick agreed to part ways with the Patriots.
Since Tom Brady left in 2020, the Patriots have cycled through Cam Newton, Brian Hoyer, Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe.
4. ARIZONA CARDINALS (4-13): The Cardinals made progress under first-year HC Jonathan Gannon, especially after QB Kyler Murray had a successful midseason return from a torn right ACL.
No. Gannon’s highlight was a 35-31 win over the Eagles in his Philly homecoming.
Murray, who signed a $230.5 million, fiveyear deal before the 2022 season, flashed the running ability that helped make him the No. 1 overall pick in 2019.
5. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (5-12): The Bolts were one of the most disappointing teams and lost Justin Herbert to a season-ending broken finger. HC Brandon Staley and GM Tom Telesco were fired before the end of the season.
Yes, and Herbert says he’s hoping to share his thoughts with owner Dean Spanos and the front office about what he’d like to see in the Chargers’ next coach.
A healthy Herbert is the biggest draw in this coaching cycle.
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Allen J. Schaben/TNS