The Cleveland Browns kickoff against the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs on Saturday, January 13. WKYC will air the 4:30 p.m. game.
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:
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Date: Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024
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Kickoff time: 4:30 p.m. ET
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Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
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TV channel: WKYC
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2:30 p.m. Pregame huddle
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3 p.m. NBC’s Football Night in America
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4:30 p.m. Browns vs. Texans
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Radio: ESPN 850, 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX, Cleveland Browns Radio Network
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Get tickets HERE
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Betting line: Browns -2.5
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Over-under point total: 44.5
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 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. Stroud’s 4,108 yards ranked eighth 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 of the NFL Playoffs. In just five games for the Browns, Flacco has thrown for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The Browns are continuing to deal with injury struggles heading into the playoffs with head coach Kevin Stefanski announcing that kicker Dustin Hopkins is “unlikely” to play on Saturday as he continues to deal with a hamstring injury that he suffered during the Dec. 24 game in Houston. On the bright side, the Browns could get safety Grant Delpit back for the game after taking him off of injured reserve. Prior to injuring his groin in December, Delpit recorded 77 tackles, while adding 1.5 sacks, one interception and one fumble. He was selected as an alternate for the Pro Bowl.
With a Browns victory on Sunday, Joe Flacco would set the NFL record for the most road playoff wins as a starting QB with eight. Flacco is currently tied with Tom Brady for the most ever.
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