Miami (AFP) – Quarterback Joe Flacco continued his remarkable comeback in the NFL as he led AFC playoff hopefuls the Cleveland Browns to a 36-22 win at the Houston Texans.
The Browns turned to Flacco, a 38-year-old who was without a team at the start of the season, as their fourth quarterback in an injury-plagued year earlier this month and he has kept them on track for a postseason berth.
He looked back to his very best on Sunday as he threw for three touchdowns and 368 yards in a win which took the Browns to a 10-5 record in the AFC.
It was also a stellar day for his favored target, receiver Amari Cooper, who had two touchdowns and put up 265 yards on 11 receptions, the most receiving yards in a game this season.
Flacco, a Super Bowl winner with the Baltimore Ravens in 2012, was released by the New York Jets in the off-season and his career looked to be over until his unexpected return.
After a four-yard rushing touchdown from Jerome Ford set the Browns on their way, Flacco found Cooper wide left and the receiver raced into the end-zone for a 75-yard score.
The Texans responded immediately though, with Dameon Pierce showing his speed, power and agility as he returned the kick-off for a 98-yard touchdown.
Dustin Hopkins pulled his hamstring chasing Pierce, leaving Cleveland without a field goal kicker for the remainder of the game.
But the inspired Flacco delivered a magnificent throw to find David Njoku in the end-zone with a 21-yard pass to ensure Cleveland went on 22-7 up at the break.
The game was put beyond Houston’s reach when Flacco again connected with Cooper on a seven-yard pass and, at the start of the fourth, Kareem Hunt ran in from a yard to make it 36-7.
The Browns took out Flacco and many of their starters for the rest of the quarter, with the Texans notching two touchdowns to add some respectability to the scoreline
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– Lions’ last-second victory – The Detroit Lions clinched their first division title since 1993 as they secured the top spot in the NFC North with a 30-24 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Jahmyr Gibbs had two rushing touchdowns for the Lions, the second coming early in the fourth quarter, but victory was only clinched with just 49 seconds left, when Ifeatu Melifonwu intercepted a pass from Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens — the Lions’ fourth pick of the game.
The Seattle Seahawks, fresh from their thrilling Monday night win over the Philadelphia Eagles, further boosted their NFC playoff chances with a 20-17 win at Tennessee.
Seattle (8-7) trailed 17-13 in the final minute of the game before Colby Parkinson pulled in a brilliant catch from a 5-yard pass from Geno Smith to win the game.
Meanwhile the Indianapolis Colts’ postseason hopes suffered a blow with a 29-10 loss at the Atlanta Falcons.
Recalled quarterback Taylor Heinicke avoided the turnovers that have hampered Atlanta this year as he threw for 229 yards and a touchdown to keep the season alive for the 7-8 Falcons.
Later on Sunday, the Miami Dolphins, currently second in the AFC, were set to host the Dallas Cowboys, third in the NFC.
