Sad News From Cleveland Browns Today….

Joe Flacco had a huge day against the Texans just a few weeks ago. How will the Cleveland Browns schematically attack Houston’s defense in the playoffs?

Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco was the journeyman who stole Christmas just a few weeks ago, strolling into NRG Stadium and helping dismantle the Houston Texans 36-22.

Without star quarterback C.J. Stroud to take down an elite Cleveland defense, Houston never had much of a shot. But Houston’s defensive performance was one of its worst of the season and unacceptable given the playoff implications.

The damage Flacco could do was evident in Houston when he lit the Texans up for 363 yards and three touchdowns, fueling receiver Amari Cooper’s record-setting 265-yard performance.

Cleveland took advantage of Houston’s shortcomings in the back seven by utilizing play action on early downs. Houston tends to play in its base 4-3 more often on early downs than other teams, leaving less athleticism on the field to better stop the run. The Browns in turn responded by giving Flacco opportunities to turn his back to the defense, fake a handoff, and air it out.

On the year, it’s been incredibly successful. He’s thrown for 871 yards (12.8 per attempt) and seven touchdowns on 68 play-action attempts. It’s where Flacco has been most effective, and where Cleveland will likely look to go again. In Houston, he completed 10 of his 15 play-action attempts for 209 yards and a score.