HOUSTON — The time is finally here. The Cleveland Browns are back in the NFL Playoffs for just the third time since 1999 and are set to head on the road to face the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card game.
Below is everything you need to know about Saturday’s postseason contest:
Game info, how to watch on TV, betting line:
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024
- Kickoff time: 4:30 p.m. ET
- Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
- TV channel: WKYC
- 2:30 p.m. Pregame huddle
- 3 p.m. NBC's Football Night in America
- 4:30 p.m. Browns vs. Texans
- 8 p.m. Postgame show
- Radio: ESPN 850, 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX, Cleveland Browns Radio Network
- Get tickets HERE
- Betting line: Browns -2
- Over-under point total: 44.5
Pre-game sights from Houston:
Cleveland Browns arrive at NRG Stadium
Browns vs. Texans preview:
The Cleveland Browns (11-6) and Houston Texans (10-7) are set for a rematch. This time, the stakes are much higher in a win-or-go-home situation in the first round of the NFL Playoffs.
On Christmas Eve, the Browns defeated the Texans 36-22. During the victory, Browns star wideout Amari Cooper set a franchise record with 265 receiving yards. Joe Flacco threw for 368 yards and three touchdowns.
However, this time, the Browns will be met with a bigger challenge from the Texans: starting QB C.J. Stroud.
Stroud, who missed the Christmas Eve game against the Browns with a concussion, has taken the NFL by storm and is the frontrunner for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. The former Ohio State Buckeye completed 319 of his 499 passes for 4,108 yards with 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions this season, and his yardage total ranked eighth overall in the NFL.
Stroud and first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans have helped fuel a turnaround that has seen the Texans go from a 3-13-1 team in 2022 to AFC South division champions this season. Stroud will be met with fierce competition from the Browns' top-ranked defense, which is allowing only 270 yards per game.
Flacco, who is no stranger to the postseason play, has become a team and fan favorite in Cleveland since joining the squad in November following Deshaun Watson's season-ending shoulder injury. The 38-year-old comes into Saturday's game boasting a 5-0 record as a starter in the wild-card round. In just five games for the Browns, he has thrown for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns, though he also has eight interceptions and admits he needs to clean up the turnovers.
The Browns are continuing to deal with injury struggles heading into the playoffs, with head coach Kevin Stefanski announcing that kicker Dustin Hopkins and safety Grant Delpit will be out on Saturday (Delpit had been designated to return from injured reserve but was not able to give it a full go. In addition, Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward was listed as questionable after tweaking his knee during Thursday's practice, but the club now confirms he will play.
Among others inactive is running back Pierre Strong, meaning Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt will have to carry the load in the backfield. In addition, P.J. Walker will be the backup quarterback, directly contradicting what offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said earlier this week.
With a Browns victory on Sunday, Flacco would set the NFL record for the most road playoff wins as a starting QB with eight. He is currently tied with Tom Brady for the most ever.
