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The Houston Texans are optimistic about their latest venture into the second round of the American Football Conference (AFC) playoffs, hoping it will be the most successful in the franchise's history. After a nearly five-year hiatus, the Texans have seen a more successful rebuild than anticipated under former player and current head coach DeMeco Ryans. Their recent victory over the Cleveland Browns, with a score of 45-31, marks the beginning of their journey to Las Vegas for Super Bowl LVIII.
Despite being seen as an underdog in the National Football League’s (NFL) 2023 postseason, the Texans were able to halt Joe Flacco’s comeback campaign. According to an NFL.com report, Stroud, who was selected second overall in last year's draft, performed exceptionally well despite just disembarking from a private jet that departed Columbus, Ohio.
Sports Illustrated reported that Stroud, a 22-year-old former Buckeye player, delivered a veteran-like performance against what was then considered as the league's top defense. He achieved this feat by passing for 274 yards and scoring three times late in the afternoon. The decision to choose Stroud over Bryce Young from the University of Alabama – initially criticized as questionable – is now hailed as ingenious by league executives and pundits alike.
From an expert perspective, the game was characterized by two distinct halves. The Houston offense demonstrated its potential damage in the first half while showcasing its defensive prowess after halftime. While the Browns failed to make any significant impact on Stroud, Houston managed to intercept two pass plays from former big game Most Valuable Player (MVP) Flacco.
Houston went on to score 44 points without resistance, setting up an eagerly awaited contest scheduled for January 20th. A report from Houston ABC station KTRK News revealed that next Saturday at 3:30 p.m., the Texans will face off against top-seeded Baltimore Ravens for their second meeting this year in the divisional round. The Ravens and Texans have previously met in the playoffs, with the Ravens emerging victorious in their 2011 matchup.