(Photo: Reddit)

AFC Wild Card 

(5) Cleveland Browns at (4) Houston Texans 

Browns: If there was a team to come out of left field this season, it’s without question this group for sure. It’s not the fact they made the playoffs. It’s the fact everything they endured throughout the season to get to the playoffs what stands out to me. In week two, they lost Nick Chubb for the year to a knee injury and he’s their best offensive player. Next, you were getting inconsistent play from Deshaun Watson which shouldn’t be the case after trading for him and paying him what you’re paying him. Then, he unfortunately gets hurt with a shoulder injury and he’s done for the year. The Browns have started a total of four different Quarterbacks this year (Watson, Thompson-Robinson, P.J, Walker and Flacco) and you lose your best player, but here you are. That’s a testament to coaching and Kevin Stefanski may not win Coach of the Year, but he definitely deserves some love for what he’s been able to do with what he’s had around him. Next, let’s give Joe Flacco some love! Since the Browns signed him, he’s provided this offense with a more consistent down the field passing attack. Even at 38 years old, he still has that arm strength and that’s similar to a spot up shooter in basketball. It doesn’t matter how old you get or how long you’ve been playing. Once you have something, it’s always with you. The talk of this team this year has been their defense and I think they’ve been one of the best units in the league, not just in the AFC. Whenever you speak on defensive minded coaches, make sure you bring up Jim Schwartz’s name in the conversation. Without question, he’s one of the best. The Browns will make another trip to Houston on Saturday afternoon to kickoff the postseason.

Texans: I couldn’t be more proud of this group and I’m so happy for DeMeco Ryans. I can admit I didn’t know what to expect from them this year. First, you draft C.J. Stroud, then, you take Will Anderson with your next pick and those are your two cornerstones of the franchise. I’ve watched my share of C.J. dating back to his college days at Ohio State and he’s as poised now as he was then. I’m noticing that nothing truly phases him and that was on full display on Saturday night when they played the Indianapolis Colts. Look at that first play of the game. It was a play action fake, he’s in the pocket and throws a perfect pass to Nico Collins for a touchdown. What really stood out to me was how the Houston defense clamped down and made stops when they had too. They were fantastic on third down as the Colts only converted one of their third down conversions and they never broke. The scenario was simple for the Texans. Win and you’re in the playoffs. We can check that off the list. Getting to the playoffs is one thing, but you don’t want that to be your only accomplishment. You want more such as the division title perhaps. This is what had to happen. The Jacksonville Jaguars needed to lose their week 18 game to the Tennessee Titans and if that happened, the Texans are division champions of the AFC South. Jacksonville did indeed lose and Houston became division champs for the first time since 2019 when Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins were still on the team. The future is so bright for this team and they’re only going to add young talent and improve from here on out. They return home Saturday afternoon to begin their postseason run.

Browns X-Factor: Jerome Ford– If there was anything I took away from Houston’s defense in their win against the Colts, it was their run defense and anytime Jonathan Taylor touched the ball, something magical happened for their offense. The Browns have still made it an effort to run the ball, even without Nick. Dating back to his college days, Jerome has always been patient as a runner. He’s also a threat in the passing game as you can check the ball down to him depending on the mismatches. Jerome is so shifty with the ball in his hands.

Texans X-Factor: Christian Harris– I can say it for the first time in 2024. You better have game if you have two first names and this kid indeed does. He was a three-year starter for Nick Saban at the University of Alabama. DeMeco is going to bring the best out in this kid, I see it already. Christian is a rangy Linebacker that can drop back to cover and he’s a tackling machine as well. In pass coverage, he knows how to read the eyes of the Quarterback, then make a play upon the football. He’s only getting started and has a bright future ahead of him.

Final Thoughts: These two met on Christmas Eve a few weeks back and Cleveland ended up winning the game by 14 points. This was also the game where Amari Cooper had the best game of his career. He caught 11 passes for 265 yards receiving and two touchdowns on the day. He got whatever he wanted and when he wanted it. Stroud was also out for the Texans with a concussion and Case Keenum filled in. Weeks later, C.J. is back playing in his first career NFL playoff game. Cleveland is a very physical football team that wants to play downhill. That’s their identity and they don’t try to jump out their box which I like. I expect Schwartz to throw a ton of exotic looks and pressures at Stroud throughout the game. Make him press and throw him off his spot. I see this game being dictated more by the defenses. The saying is true. Defense travels and you’ll see that in this case on Saturday. I like Cleveland on the road here to win and advance. Stroud will be a bit up and down while Flacco with some help from a consistent rushing attack.

Prediction: Browns 24, Texans 17