Browns vs. Texans final score, results: C.J. Stroud, Houston dominate Cleveland at home for wild-card victory

Emily Dozier

Browns vs. Texans final score, results: C.J. Stroud, Houston dominate Cleveland at home for wild-card victory image

Houston, there’s no problem with the Texans.

They pounded the Browns 45-14 in the first game of wild-card weekend for their first playoff victory since 2019. And who better to get it done than the rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud?

The Texans didn't dominate from the start. It was a back-and-forth game, with four lead changes by the midpoint of the second quarter.

While the Browns trailed by only 10 at the half, it all came crashing down after play resumed. Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco threw pick-sixes on back-to-back drives, resulting in a massive Houston lead that proved to be out of reach.

Stroud showed why he should be named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year. In his first playoff game, he threw for 274 yards and three touchdowns. He becomes the youngest starting quarterback to win a postseason game.

Meanwhile, the Browns’ loss capped off what they hoped to be a deep postseason run. Flacco, who led the Browns to four-straight wins and an unlikely playoff appearance, finished with 307 passing yards. It marked the first playoff road loss and first wild-card loss of his 16-year career.

The Texans now await their next opponent, which will be determined by the final two AFC wild card games of the weekend.

MORE: Who do Texans play next?

The Sporting News tracked the wild-card playoff game between the Browns and Texans, including results and highlights from the game.

Browns vs. Texans score

  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
Browns 7 14 0 0 14
Texans 10 14 14 7 45

Browns vs. Texans results, highlights from NFL wild-card playoffs

All times Eastern.

Final: Browns 14, Texans 45

7: 23 p.m. – That'll do it! the Texans advance with their first playoff win since 2019. Cleveland heads home.

7:19 p.m. – Only two minutes are left until the Texans make history.

BROWNS 14, TEXANS 45

6:56 p.m. TOUCHDOWN – Singletary brings it home! The Texans score yet another to make it a 31-point lead at the beginning of the fourth. It's all fun now for Houston.

End of third quarter: Browns 14, Texans 38

6:47 p.m. – Cleveland tries for it on 4th and 6, but Flacco is sacked for the third time. It's a turnover on downs as the Texans take control of the ball at the 50.

BROWNS 14, TEXANS 38

6:37 p.m. INTERCEPTION – Back-to-back pick-six's for the home squad! The Browns go for it on 4th and 2, but it's a big mistake. Flacco is intercepted by Christian Harris, and the game looks out of reach for Cleveland.

BROWNS 14, TEXANS 31

6:31 p.m. INTERCEPTION – That's a pick six! Flacco throws the first interception of the night, and it's caught by Steven Nelson for an 82-yard return. Houston can't be stopped.

6:27 p.m. – Big first down for the Browns. Flacco connects with Cooper to move to Houston's 44-yard line.

6:19 p.m. – Thirty minutes remain for one team's season. Will the rookie-led Texans send the Browns home, or can Cleveland complete a comeback on the road?

6:01 p.m. – At the half, Stroud has 236 passing yards and three touchdowns for Houston's lead. What a start for the rookie's playoff career.

Halftime: Browns 14, Texans 24

BROWNS 14, TEXANS 24

5:56 p.m. TOUCHDOWN – On the dot! Schultz's first catch of the day is a 37-yard score from Stroud, which gives the Texans the largest lead of the evening just before halftime.

5:54 p.m. – The two minute warning has been issued. Texans have the ball and are looking to score from the Browns' 37.

5:34 p.m. – Derek Barnett reaches Flacco for the first sack of the night! The Browns end their scoring run and go three-and out.

5:31 p.m – What a way to start the postseason.

BROWNS 14, TEXANS 17

5:26 p.m. – Brevin Jordan is home free! He breaks away for a 76-yard run and the Texans are ahead. It's the fourth lead change of the game, and we're only in the second quarter.

BROWNS 14, TEXANS 10

5:22 p.m. TOUCHDOWN – Twice as nice! Hunt gets his second touchdown of the game on a shovel pass from Flacco. Cleveland retakes the lead early in the second.

End of first quarter: Browns 7, Texans 10

BROWNS 7, TEXANS 10

5:11 p.m. TOUCHDOWN – Houston, we have a problem, and his name is Nico Collins. He finishes off the four-play drive in the end zone. The home team retakes the lead as the first quarter closes out.

BROWNS 7, TEXANS 3

5:04 p.m. TOUCHDOWN – Hunt to the house! He leaps over the goal line for the first touchdown of the NFL playoffs. Cleveland leads by four with two minutes left in the frame.

5:00 p.m. – A big throw from Flacco to Houston's 30! The vet connects with Njoku for 45 yards.

BROWNS 0, TEXANS 3

4:56 p.m. FIELD GOAL – Ka'imi Fairbairn gets it done from the 21-yard line. The Texans get the first score of the game with 5:29 to go in the first.

4:52 p.m. – Nico Collins goes deep! Stroud finds the receiver for 38-yards, and the Texans are at the 3.

4:46 p.m. – Drops by Dalton Schultz and Noah Brown result in little movement from the Texans offense. They punt, and Kris Boyd and D'Angelo Ross combine to down the Browns' receiver inside the ten.

4:37 p.m. – It's a slow start for Cleveland. Four plays, and the Texans take over.

4:34 p.m. – Last time he was in Texas, Amari Cooper had a Browns' record 265 receiving yards. The WR is back after missing two games.

4:30 p.m. – Houston is ready.

3:32 p.m. – The Dawg Pound is showing up and showing out with one hour to go at NRG Stadium.

3:00 p.m. – Inactives for the first NFL playoff game of the season have been released. Those missing out for on the Texans-Browns matchup are as follows.

2:53 p.m. – CJ Stroud leads the league in passing yards per game and touchdowns to interceptions. What a season for the No. 2 pick from Ohio State. And he isn't done yet.

2:32 p.m. – The comeback quarterback has never lost a wild-card game. A win in Houston would be the Browns' second playoff victory since 1994.

Browns vs. Texans start time

  • Date: Saturday, Jan. 13
  • Time: 4:30 p.m. ET

The NFL playoffs kick off with the Browns vs. Texans on Saturday, Jan. 13. Kickoff from NRG Stadium in Houston will be at 4:30 p.m. ET.

What channel is Browns vs. Texans on today?

  • National TV: NBC (U.S.) | TSN+ (Canada) 
  • Live stream: Peacock, Fubo (U.S.) | DAZN (in Canada)

The Browns-Texans wild-card game will be the first of three broadcast on NBC. For Cleveland residents and those who prefer streaming, the game can be found on Peacock and Fubo, which offers a free trial.

Noah Eagle and Todd Blackledge will be in the booth while Kathryn Tappen reports from the sidelines.

Emily Dozier

Emily Dozier Photo

Emily Dozier is a live events and lifestyle writer at The Sporting News, covering everything from sporting events and music festivals to broadway shows and stand-up comedy. Based out of New York, she graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. When not covering the SN tickets beat, Emily enjoys playing volleyball and cooking. Prior to joining The Sporting News in 2023, Emily covered the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup for the Associated Press.