By Joseph Nichols, Staff Writer

From triumph to tragedy, the NFL scriptwriters outdid themselves as Super Wildcard Weekend kicked off with a few young bucks taking on a couple of old dogs. However, the most impressive victory of the weekend was rookie phenom C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans obliterating the number one ranked Cleveland Browns defense. Stroud battled a Cleveland defense marshaled by Defensive Player of the Year candidate Myles Garret and a secondary that has consistently stifled opposing quarterbacks. Stroud ended the game with a 157.2 passer rating, only 1.1 points shy of a perfect passer rating.

Going into the game, the Cleveland hype train was stronger than ever as injuries to the quarterback position led the front office to sign a 38-year-old free agent and XLVII Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco. Since stepping in, Flacco went 4-1 as the Browns’ quarterback and willed the team to a playoff berth and the number five seed. While numerous sports analysts projected Cleveland to make a deep run in the postseason, Stroud trampled on their dreams.

Better luck next year Cleveland!

Official Xavier Newswire Divisional Weekend Predictions:

49ers trounce Packers 29-17

Lions slash Buccaneers 20-10

Ravens clear  Texans 33-30

Bills stampede on Chiefs 42-13