Cleveland Browns fans had high hopes of their team emerging with a victory in their Wild Card game with the Texans at Houston's NRG Stadium. However, the Browns were upset after they saw their team fall behind by a 24-14 margin at halftime. While the team had issues containing the Texans offense, they were upset to see referees miss an obvious pass interference call that hurt their team quite a bit.

On the play, veteran quarterback Joe Flacco tried to hit Browns tight end David Njoku with a pass near the sideline. As Njoku prepared to make the catch, Houston defensive back Steven Nelson wrapped up the tight end nearly a full second before the ball arrived. While it appeared to be an obvious penalty, no flag was thrown. Flacco and Njoku had their hands in the air wondering why no laundry hit the ground, but they would not get any satisfaction.

Related Cleveland Browns NewsArticle continues below
Michigan legend Charles Woodson waves at fans during warmup at the spring game at Michigan Stadium
Charles Woodson approved as limited partner in Browns ownership group
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) heads on to the field during day two of NFL rookie minicamp at the Cleveland Browns training facility on Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Berea, Ohio.
Shedeur Sanders officially signs Browns contract
Two mystery players in the middle, Myles Garrett and coach Kevin Stefanski around them, Cleveland Browns wallpaper in the background
Cleveland Browns 2 best trade targets to round out 2025 roster
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and Oakland Raiders safety Charles Woodson (24) visit after the game at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Raiders 16-9.
Charles Woodson makes major Browns ownership move, but there’s a Tom Brady catch

The Browns were hoping to turn things around in the second half, but Flacco threw two interceptions in the third quarter that were both returned for touchdowns by the Texans. That turned a manageable deficit into  a one-sided blowout. Nelson returned one of the interceptions 82 yards for a score and Christian Harris followed with a 36-yard TD return less than two minutes later.

The Browns had gotten off to a hopeful start in the game, as running back Kareem Hunt scored on a 1-yard TD run in the first quarter and then caught an 11-yard TD pass from Flacco in the second.

The Browns were unable to sustain that early success.