It is the most wonderful time of the year. The NFL playoffs are here, & 14 teams are contending for the ultimate prize in football. The road to Super Bowl LVIII begins with the wild card round, where anything can happen and surprises are bound to happen. But what can we expect from the Houston Texans and the Cleveland Browns clash?

The AFC showdown between the Browns and the Texans is set to be one of the most intriguing ones. Both teams have overcome adversity and defied expectations to reach this stage. But only one can advance to the divisional round. Who will it be?

Joe Flacco vs CJ Stroud

There couldn’t have been a starker contrast in the wild card round as much as the QBs on these teams present us. Joe Flacco has delivered a resurgent performance after joining the Browns team this offseason. The 38-year-old is turning back the clock with another playoff season, contending for the Lombardi trophy.

But his counterpart has had a different route to the playoffs. The 22-year-old rookie has dazzled the gridiron with his spectacular performances this season. It will be a battle of the new guard vs the old when Stroud and Flacco come face to face. They will have their regular starting cast with them, barring the injuries.

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In terms of injuries, the Texans ruled out DE Jerry Hughes. But, DEs Will Anderson Jr. and Jonathan Greenard are expected to play. The Browns ruled out S Grant Delpit, K Dustin Hopkins, and WR Cedric Tillman for the game. 4 others have been listed as questionable. Will this depleted roster give a different result than the last time?

A rematch with the biggest of stakes on the line

The Texans faced off against the Browns in the Week 16 matchup of the regular season. The Browns came out on top with the scorecard reading 36-22. But the Texans will look to settle the score and get a head-to-head advantage this time around.

Both teams have met fourteen times in the regular season, with the series being at tied 7-7 apiece. However, the Browns have won the last 2 games, including this regular season fixture in Week 16. But, this will be the first time the Browns and the Texans face each other in the playoffs.

The Cleveland Browns (11-6) will face the Houston Texans (10-7) in the AFC wild-card round on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. ET at NRG Stadium.

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