The Houston Texans played the role of spoiler during this season’s NFL playoffs.
A Cleveland Browns win over the Texans in the AFC wild-card round would have set them up to go up against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC divisional round. With the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills each clinching a win in the opening round of the playoffs, the Browns, who clinched the No. 5 seed in the AFC, would have squared off with the top-seeded Ravens had they taken care of business against the Texans.
Browns quarterback Joe Flacco aspired to face his former team in the Ravens last month.
Flacco caught up with Lamar Jackson following the 13th annual “NFL Honors” awards show. Flacco took home the 2023 AP Comeback Player of the Year award, while Jackson was named the 2023 AP NFL MVP.
Flacco and Jackson appeared to have discussed on what it would have been like to meet in the AFC divisional round.
“I was hoping I was gonna get the chance to walk back in there,” Flacco said. “It was gonna be a lot of fun.”
Two big winners tonight. 💜@JoeFlacco | @Lj_era8 | #NFLHonors pic.twitter.com/5mLQd5k0ij
— NFL (@NFL) February 9, 2024
Flacco had a game to forget against the Texans. He threw two interceptions in the contest, as Houston cruised to a 45-14 win.
Flacco will become an unrestricted free agent in March. It remains to be seen whether the Browns will go all out to re-sign him.