Browns vs. Texans score, takeaways: Joe Flacco, Amari Cooper shred Houston as Cleveland bolsters playoff hopes

The Flacco-Cooper connection was unstoppable in Week 16

The Cleveland Browns moved to 3-1 with Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback after defeating the Houston Texans 36-22. The final score is not indicative of how the game went, as Cleveland pulled starters up 36-7 in the fourth quarter. Davis Mills came in for the Texans and led two straight touchdown drives thanks to a successful onside kick, but ultimately it was too little too late. 

This win was headlined by the Flacco-Amari Cooper connection as the two combined for two touchdowns, and looked unstoppable all day. Flacco completed 27 of 42 passes for 368 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, while Cooper caught 11 passes for a franchise-record 265 yards and two touchdowns, and became the second player in NFL history to record a 200-yard receiving game for three different teams (Raiders, Cowboys and Browns). He joins Terrell Owens, who had 200-yard outings with the 49ers, Cowboys and Bengals. 

As for the Texans, they struggled on both sides of the ball in Week 16. Case Keenum completed 11 of 17 passes for 62 yards and two interceptions before being pulled in the fourth quarter. Mills came in and actually sparked the offense, completing 15 of 32 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Houston recorded 250 yards of total offense compared to Cleveland's 418, but most of that came in the fourth quarter with the game out of hand.

Let's take a look at what went down in Houston on Sunday. 

Why the Browns won

Flacco looked elite again on Sunday, while Cooper looked like the best wide receiver in the NFL. Whether it was first down or fourth down, along the sideline or in the middle of the field, these two were on the same page all day. 

Flacco is the second quarterback in Browns history to record three straight 300-yard passing games, and the first to throw for 300 yards in three straight wins. The former Super Bowl MVP also became the third-oldest player in NFL history to record three straight 300-yard games behind Tom Brady and Warren Moon. 

Cooper broke Josh Gordon's single-game receiving record set in 2013, and joined Jerry Rice and Calvin Johnson as the only players with four or more 200-yard receiving games in the Super Bowl era. 

Why the Texans lost

Houston's defense couldn't stop Cleveland's offense, and then Houston's offense couldn't move the ball against Cleveland's defense. Keenum threw for 62 yards, two interceptions and didn't reach the red zone before being benched, which leads to the question: Did DeMeco Ryans make the right decision at quarterback? Yes, Keenum helped lead a second-half comeback last week against the Tennessee Titans, but it was Mills who looked like the better quarterback in limited action Sunday. We may not have much time to mull this question, as C.J. Stroud could return to the lineup next week after missing time with a concussion.

Turning point

Late in the third quarter and into the fourth, Flacco put together two long touchdown drives to extend the lead to 29 points. He put together an 18-play, 94-yard drive that took up a whopping 9:39, and then a 10-play, 51-yard drive that took up 4:06. 

Leading 36-7, the game felt over. Mills did a solid job of making the contest half interesting in the end, but that deficit was too tough to come back from. 

Play of the game

As we mentioned, this Flacco-Cooper connection was incredible all day. Check out this fourth-and-8 completion, where Flacco somehow got rid of the ball despite being wrapped up by defenders in the pocket, and Cooper found a way to reel it in on the sideline while getting both feet inbounds. 

Texans kickoff return magic

Directly after Cooper caught a 75-yard touchdown in the second quarter, Dameon Pierce returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards to the house. What's special about this is that the Texans now have twice as many kickoff return scores as the rest of the NFL in 2023. Remember, Texans fullback Andrew Beck had an 85-yard touchdown return against the Jacksonville Jaguars back in Week 3.

What's next

The Browns return home on a short week to host Flacco's former team, the New York Jets (6-9), on "Thursday Night Football." As for the Texans, they will host the rival Tennessee Titans (5-10). 

[Dec 24, 2023 at 4:26 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Final. Browns 36 Texans 22

[Dec 24, 2023 at 4:07 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

After the Texans scored two touchdowns, they really brought Flacco back in. He finds Cooper to convert a fourth-and-7. Well NOW it should be over. 

[Dec 24, 2023 at 3:35 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Amari Cooper is the 2nd player in NFL history with a 200-yard receiving game for 3 different teams (DAL, OAK, CLE).

He joins Terrell Owens, who also did it for 3 teams (SF, DAL, CIN)

[Dec 24, 2023 at 3:32 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

The Browns go 10 plays, 51 yards and Kareem Hunt punches in a 1-yard touchdown. 

This game is over. Merry Christmas everyone.

CLE 36 HOU 7 12:31 remaining in the fourth quarter. 

[Dec 24, 2023 at 3:13 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Well, that may be a turning point. Browns go 18 plays, 94 yards and Flacco finds you-know-who in the end zone. That drive took up 9:39!

CLE 28 HOU 7

[Dec 24, 2023 at 3:08 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

This connection is unreal right now.

[Dec 24, 2023 at 2:58 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

The Texans get the ball to start the second half, and they punt after picking up 21 yards on four plays. Singletary kicked off the drive with a 17-yard run, but then Za'Darius Smith sacked Keenum for a loss of 10. 

[Dec 24, 2023 at 2:56 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins has been ruled out 

[Dec 24, 2023 at 2:43 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Halftime: CLE 22 HOU 7

First downs: CLE 10 HOU 8
Total yards: CLE 267 HOU 75
Third downs: CLE 3-7 HOU 1-6
Penalties: CLE 7-45 HOU 6-55
TOP: CLE 14:28 HOU 15:32

Joe Flacco 12/22 246 yards 2 TDs 2 INTs
Case Keenum 9/13 48 yards 1 INT

Jerome Ford 8 carries 19 yards 1 TD
Devin Singletary 7 carries 25 yards

Amari Cooper 4 catches 173 yards 1 TD
David Njoku 3 catches 31 yards 1 TD
Singletary 3 catches 19 yards

[Dec 24, 2023 at 2:32 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Texans secondary gets a W over Flacco before halftime. 

[Dec 24, 2023 at 2:21 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

JOE FLACCO IS SLINGING IT

6 plays, 50 yards and a TD. With Hopkins injured, DTR attempts to run in the 2-point conversion ... and he's successful.

CLE 22 HOU 7 with 4 minutes remaining in the first half. 

[Dec 24, 2023 at 2:20 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Uh oh. The broadcast reports that Dustin Hopkins has a hamstring injury, and it doesn't look like he will kick.

[Dec 24, 2023 at 2:17 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

It's starting to really look like Flacco is settling in against this shorthanded Texans secondary. Browns now in the red zone for the second time today with just under 5 minutes remaining in the first half. 

[Dec 24, 2023 at 2:03 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Fair to say the Texans were rejuvenated by the kick return TD. Three-and-out -- facilitated by an offensive holding on second-and-10. 

Texans get the ball back at the HOU 34- yard line. 

[Dec 24, 2023 at 2:01 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Kickoff Return TDs This Season:

• Texans:               2
• Rest of NFL:       1

[Dec 24, 2023 at 1:58 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

TEXANS RESPOND IMMEDIATELY 

Dameon Pierce to the house for 98 yards on the kick return! 

CLE 14 HOU 7 11:51 remaining in the second quarter

[Dec 24, 2023 at 1:56 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Amari Cooper today: 3 catches 150 yards 1 TD

[Dec 24, 2023 at 1:54 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Flacco passed up a wide-open David Njoku for a gain of 20+ ..... for a 75-yard touchdown. Amari Cooper another huge play. Hope you have him for your fantasy playoffs.

3 plays, 90 yards ... CLE 14 HOU 0 with 12:04 remaining in the second quarter. 

[Dec 24, 2023 at 1:48 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

The drive stalls at the HOU 48-yard line. Texans punt for the third straight time. Case Keenum has completed 5 of 6 passes for 24 yards. 

Not much offense in this matchup. 

[Dec 24, 2023 at 1:45 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

7 total penalties for 45 yards in the first quarter. Texans near midfield at the quarter break thanks to a 17-yard Singletary run. 

CLE 7 HOU 0

[Dec 24, 2023 at 1:32 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Texans had a nice play where Singletary picked up 27 yards on a screen pass, but Juice Scruggs was called for holding. From there, Houston went three-and-out. 

I want to see Flacco attack this secondary deep. 

[Dec 24, 2023 at 1:27 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Texans defense holds up on Cleveland's second drive of the game. 12 yards, 6 plays, punt.

But this play from Flacco was pretty awesome. 

[Dec 24, 2023 at 1:24 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Texans punt after going 20 yards on five plays. Davis Mills came in to replace Keenum at QB for a QB run play.