HOUSTON (AP) — From the couch to the playoffs, Joe Flacco had an incredible run with the Browns.
But his stretch of success came to a sudden end on Saturday, when the Browns lost 45-14 to the Houston Texans in a wild-card playoff matchup.
Flacco had interceptions returned for touchdowns on consecutive drives in the third quarter to turn a close game into a laugher.
It was Cleveland’s worst playoff loss since a 34-0 defeat to the Baltimore Colts on Dec. 29, 1968.
The 39-year-old Flacco went 4-1 as a starter in the regular season to carry the Browns to the playoffs after Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.
Rookie C.J. Stroud threw for 274 yards and three touchdowns and the second overall pick in the draft last April became the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game.
The former Ohio State star threw for 236 yards and three touchdowns before halftime as the Texans built a 24-14 lead.