HOUSTON (AP) — From the sofa to the playoffs, Joe Flacco had an unimaginable run with the Cleveland Browns.
Flacco had interceptions returned for touchdowns on consecutive drives within the third quarter to show an in depth recreation right into a laugher and ship the staff residence with its worst playoff loss since a 34-0 defeat to the Baltimore Colts on Dec. 29, 1968.
“It’s undoubtedly a disgrace the way in which it went down and laborious to take care of in the intervening time,” Flacco mentioned.
C.J. Stroud and the Texans constructed a 24-14 lead earlier than halftime. Houston’s protection took over after that, with a pick-6 by Steven Nelson and one other by Christian Harris that made it 38-14.
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“That’s killer giving up factors like that,” coach Kevin Stefanski mentioned.
Flacco, who will flip 39 on Tuesday, was signed to Cleveland’s apply squad in November after Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending shoulder harm. He went 4-1 as a starter and led the Browns (11-7) to only their third playoff look since their 1999 enlargement rebirth, however second in 4 seasons beneath Stefanski.
Taking part in in his seventeenth postseason recreation however first in 9 years, the previous Tremendous Bowl MVP — who got here in tied with Tom Brady for essentially the most street playoff victories by a QB with seven — couldn’t proceed his run.
“I used to be so lucky to develop into part of this staff,” Flacco mentioned. “It’s a particular group. I do know lots of people can say that, nevertheless it actually is. To be given an opportunity to do that with these guys, I’m tremendous grateful for it.”
He completed with 307 yards and had a landing go within the first half, however his errors beneath stress within the third quarter had been an excessive amount of for the Browns to beat on a day when Stroud simply outshined him in his playoff debut. Along with the 2 picks, Flacco was sacked 4 occasions.
Watson was beneath heart for the Texans throughout their final playoff run in 2019 however performed simply six video games for the Browns this season. He was on the sideline Saturday for simply the second time since his surgical procedure, watching the person who changed him as Houston’s franchise quarterback.
Flacco turned among the best comeback tales of the yr in serving to the Browns to the postseason. Though he gained a Tremendous Bowl with Baltimore and loads of different large playoff video games, he is additionally no stranger to the ache of an early postseason exit.
“It’s at all times tough while you get this time of the yr. … Often, the additional you go, the extra heartbreak there’s,” he mentioned. “Not less than from my expertise. It’s a variety of enjoyable alongside the way in which, however in case you do get beat, it’s laborious to take care of.”
Stefanski refused guilty Flacco’s errors for the loss.
“We simply didn’t play properly sufficient in any section,” he mentioned. “We didn’t play properly sufficient. We didn’t coach properly sufficient.”
Flacco was requested if he’d prefer to return to the Browns subsequent season. Some followers have clamored for Cleveland to carry him again, on condition that he is been more practical at operating Stefanski’s offense than Watson has been.
“I like it right here, (however) we’re coping with a lot going via the feelings of this recreation,” Flacco mentioned. “Being so excited to be on this place and arising empty, in order that’s the place my head is. Simply making an attempt to soak all of it in and let this digest.”
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