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Browns vs. Texans: AFC wild card playoff game live score updates, highlights, reactions

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Browns vs. Texans: AFC wild card playoff game live score updates, highlights, reactions


CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns are on the road for their AFC wild card matchup at 4:30 p.m. today in Houston.

Since the franchise’s return in 1999, this marks their third trip to the postseason, the last two coming during the 2002 and 2020 seasons.

They’ve already met the Texans in Week 16, where the Browns dominated, 36-22. But the difference is former Buckeyes standout and Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud will be playing after sitting out the last matchup with a concussion.

The Browns defense meets a Texans offense that has given up the fewest turnovers on the season (14). During the regular season they ranked tied 22nd in rushing yards per game (96.9), seventh in passing yards per game (245.5), and tied 13th in points per game (22.2).

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Cleveland’s offense meets a Texans defense that ranked sixth in rushing yards allowed per game (96.6), 23rd in passing yards allowed per game (234.1), and 11th in points allowed per game (20.8) during the regular season.

Stay with us during the game for updates and highlights. Refresh this page to see the latest updates:

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4Q-0:00

The Texans will advance to the Divisional round as they defeat the Browns, 45-14.

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4Q-8:17

The Texans done brought out backup David Mills with over eight minutes left in the game.

It’s over.

4Q-9:22

Njoku drops a pass, that tendency sneaking up at the wrong time.

4Q-13:27

Incoming “Thank you Fans” post from the Browns’ social media admin.

Houston giving Cleveland a taste of their own medicine from the blowout in Week 16, as Singletary takes it in for 19 yards.

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Texans lead, 45-14.

3Q-1:27

This is a massacre, as Flacco is sacked again for a loss of 13 yards, by Harris, who took back a pick six.

3Q-4:06

On a fourth down attempt, the Browns went with the ol reliable short out for Harrison Bryant, which is intercepted again. This time by Christian Harris who takes it back for 36 yards.

Cleveland, we have a problem.

Texans lead 38-14.

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3Q-6:05

Texans still have a hold on the game as Flacco tries to force a pass as he’s nearly sacked, but is intercepted by Steven Nelson who takes it back for an 82-yard pick six.

This game might be over before we know it.

Turnovers biting the Browns at the wrong time.

Texans lead, 31-14.

3Q-8:50

Pivotal third down completion as Flacco finds Cooper on the corner route for 16 yards and the first down.

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3Q-12:21

The Browns come out strong in the second half as Owusu-Koramoah racks up his ninth combined tackle as he keeps Collins to a loss of one yard.

2Q-0:00

Houston’s Will Anderson ends the half with a sack on Flacco.

Momentum is hard to beat, and Houston has all of it going into the half.

Cleveland’s offensive line has been running thin for majority of the season, but is really striking at the wrong time.

Texans lead, 24-14 at halftime and will receive the second half kickoff.

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2Q-1:11

Houston’s play action goes successful as Stroud finds Schultz downfield for the untouched 37 yard touchdown.

Texans lead, 24-14.

2Q-2:17

Saved by the flag.

Singletary’s 23 yard run is called back as Houston’s right guard Shaq Mason is called for a holding penalty on Sione Takitaki.

2Q-3:00

Owusu-Koramoah with another read as he stops Singletary for a loss of one yard, his eighth tackle of the first half.

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2Q-5:00

Singletary runs outside left for six yards and the first down. Singletary (38) has single handedly out rushed the

2Q-5:00

Singletary runs outside left for six yards and the first down. Singletary (38) has single handedly out rushed the Browns’ run game (22).

This Browns run defense has struggled.

2Q-7:18

The Texans’ defense is upping the blitz, though Flacco completed the six yard pass to Njoku, it’s not enough for a first down.

Browns punt again.

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2Q-8:56

If Stroud’s pass to Collins was caught, that would’ve been a touchdown.

The Browns secondary caught a break as Stroud’s pass was a little overthrown for Collins, who had a couple steps ahead of Ronnie Hickman Jr.

This forces a Texans’ fourth-down and eventual punt.

2Q-9:35

Owusu-Koramoah lays a couple consecutive hits, first a tackle with Garrett on Dameon Pierce for a loss of one yard, then a solo tackle on Singletary for a loss of two yards.

2Q-11:00

A struggling series as Houston edge rusher Derek Barnett beat Cleveland’s Geron Christian, sacking Flacco in the backfield, and forcing another Browns’ punt.

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The Browns defense has to wake up.

2Q-12:00

This is a boxing match. You get hit, but can you hit harder?

Texans answering back strong with a Stroud connection to Brevin Jordan who takes it downfield for the 76 yard touchdown.

Jordan’s route was opened up as Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Ogbo Okoronkwo went at Stroud, opening an open pass to Jordan who took advantage of it.

Alex Wright giving his teammates some words as they circle around each other.

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Texans lead, 17-14.

2Q-12:18

The hometown kid in Hunt came to this game ready, as he’s there for Flacco’s shovel pas and runs past Texans’ defenders for the touchdown.

In his fourth career playoff game, this is his first postseason receiving touchdown, and his second game with multiple touchdowns in one game. The first came in the wild card win over Pittsburgh in the 2020 NFL playoffs, where he recorded two rushing touchdowns.

Browns answer back, 14-10.

2Q-13:40

Flacco’s six-foot-six figure is able to quarterback sneak in for the first down.

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1Q-0:00

Flacco ends the half on a strong note as he finds an open Harrison Bryant down the center who takes it downfield for 47 yards.

Both offenses off to a heck of a start.

Texans lead after one, 10-7.

1Q-0:11

Houston responds quickly in a matter of four plays, the fourth being a completed short pass to Collins who takes it in outside left, in which Juan Thornhill is unable to take him down himself.

Texans lead, 10-3.

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1Q-1:34

Houston’s Singletary comes back with a hard running 29-yarder.

1Q-2:09

Hunt runs it in for the one yard touchdown, and the extra point is complete.

Lineman Nick Harris is at fullback for the extra blocking, per usual in the goal line run package. Everyone expects this for Hunt will run behind Harris. But this time, Harris runs left and distracts the Texans’ defense as Hunt runs right and untouched.

Browns lead 7-3.

1Q-2:50

DeAndre Houston-Carson

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1Q-4:04

Flacco finds Amari Cooper as Cooper goes towards out of bounds for 14 yards, first and goal now for the Browns.

1Q-5:22

The Flacco-David Njoku connection returns as Flacco finds his tight end for 48 yards downfield.

Njoku’s had a trend of racking up big yards in the first quarter. In the Week 17 win over the Jets, Njoku caught 64 of his 134 receiving yards in the first drive alone.

1Q-6:18

Newsome makeup for earlier mess up and keeps Collins from completing a touchdown pass, forcing a Texans’ field goal.

1Q-6:12

Stroud’s run outside left is stopped for only one yard, as Martin Emerson Jr. fought through Beck’s block to stop Stroud going out of bounds.

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1Q-6:18

Cleveland’s blitz works and they cut off Texans’ attempt at a shovel pass from Stroud to Andrew Beck.

Nearly wound up in the hands of Myles Garrett

1Q-7:09

Stroud with another deep ball completion to Collins, this time for 38 yards, positioning them in the red zone.

Seems there was a late switch as Greg Newsome II suddenly ran in front of Collins, due to Texans’ audible switch.

1Q-9:16

Houston broke through Cleveland’s offensive line came out with the blitz and left Flacco to feast for himself, having to get rid of the ball.

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1Q-10:09

Stroud’s pass to Brown again towards the center field is incomplete as Denzel Ward and Juan Thornhill tag team to force a fourth down, leaving Brown a second slow to get up off the field.

1Q-10:14

Stroud’s pass to Noah Brown goes through his hands and would’ve forced a fourth down, but Myles Garrett is called for a defensive offsides penalty.

This Browns defense has now been flagged for a league leading 22 offside penalties.

1Q-11:03

That should’ve been a catch that would’ve taken the Texans further downfield.

Stroud’s pass to Dalton Schultz is dropped, as he took his eyes off the ball for a second.

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1Q-12:18

C.J. Stroud shows Cleveland what they missed out on on his first pass attempt, a 21 yard completion to Nico Collins.

1Q-12:18

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah with a good first play for the defense, a tackle on Devin Singletary and keeping him to three yards.

1Q-13:07

Flacco’s short pass to Kareem Hunt is caught but pushed back for a loss of six yards, forcing a Browns’ punt.

1Q-13:59

Ford’s first run attempt is for a loss of five yards.

This Texans’ run defense is one of the better run defenses in the league, ranking top 10 in fewest allowed.

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1Q-14:48

Joe Flacco with a good first play, a completed pass to Jerome Ford who takes it down for 11 yards.

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WKYC (Cleveland) is your source for breaking news, Northeast Ohio weather, traffic, and live coverage in Cleveland and across the region. Get the latest updates from the WKYC team — from major local headlines and investigations to severe weather, community stories, and the moments everyone’s talking about.
Watch live newscasts, stream breaking coverage, and catch up on the top stories shaping Cleveland, Akron, Canton, and surrounding communities.

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Northeast Ohio drag performers speak out against HB 249

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Northeast Ohio drag performers speak out against HB 249


CLEVELAND — For Kyle Burnett, drag is more than just a hobby, discovering the art form after falling into a deep depression during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Burnett, who is nonbinary, has been living in Ohio for more than a decade and has performed as “Zoey Zegai” for five of those years. 


What You Need To Know

  • 2025 is considered one of the most dangerous years on record for LGBTQ+ Americans, according to GLAAD

  • The nonprofit reports that more than 930 anti-LGBTQ incidents were recorded last year, ranging from hate speech to threats and physical violence

  • Ohio is now one of several U.S. states at the center of political debate over LGBTQ rights

  • House Bill 249, widely referred to as the “drag ban,” is now heading to the Ohio Senate after passing in the House this week


“It was a tough time … I found drag not only as a way of entertainment, but embracing myself as a queer member of the LGBTQ+ community,” said Burnett, who uses he/they pronouns.

While Burnett has been met with substantial support, he said, he’s noticed a recent shift in societal attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community over the last year.

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“I had my purse and was wearing short shorts because Ohio gets hot in the summertime, and I had a beer bottle thrown at me from outside of someone’s car window,” Burnett said.

“Zoey Zegai,” which Burnett said, is influenced by old-school divas like Joan Crawford and newer divas like Jinkx Monsoons.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), 500 anti-LGBTQ bills have been proposed during the 2026 legislative session nationwide.

One of these bills is HB 249, or the “Indecent Exposure Modernization Act,” which would restrict drag performances to adult entertainment venues. The policy also changes the definition of public indecency to include “performers or entertainers who exhibit a gender identity that is different from the performer’s or entertainer’s biological sex using clothing, makeup, prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts, or other physical markers.”

TransOhio Executive Director Dara Adkison said the bill uses broad language and could criminalize gender-diverse expression.

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“It’s really making a statute that law enforcement professionals get to enforce their personal ideas about what is and isn’t appropriate gender representation, what is and isn’t performance. You know, is it singing karaoke? Is it being and drag queen? I know, is it a trans person walking down?” said Adkison, who uses they/them pronouns.

While many Ohioans are expressing concerns about the bill targeting transgender people and drag performers, nonprofit Equality Ohio said, the legislation’s impact expands to athletes and countless others.

The bill revises a previous code banning the exposure of “private parts” to now ban the exposure of “private areas,” said Dwayne Steward, Executive Director of Equality Ohio.

“Because the language they use is so vague, it really can apply to anyone, really. The language has been shifted from ‘obscenity’ … someone showing their genitals … to anyone showing their ‘genital area’, which could mean anyone who’s wearing a sports bra, a cheerleader who may be showing their midriff. “

Supporters of HB 249 said the bill is meant to protect children, while others have said this argument reinforces a harmful narrative surrounding drag performances.

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“People, immediately when they see drag, they think that it is something that is sexual, something that is trying to indoctrinate children, to expose them to sexual content. And that’s not the case in any capacity,” Olivia Kowslowski.

Kowslowski is born and raised in northeast Ohio, now performing as “Monica Mod.”  

Kowslowski, who started first started performing drag in Jan. 2022.

“I think that my perspective is important because it just shows that the bill is harmful to many people, including people that they were not expecting to be impacted by this,” she said. “… Most people don’t realize that when I’m in drag, I am, I’m a cisgender woman.”

While she’s become well known around her college campus’ drag scene, Kowslowski said, she and other performers are facing additional barriers.

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“I have found that finding bookings is much more difficult because many venues are a lot more hesitant to host drag events at their spaces, or even support drag entertainers and their venues. Mainly from HB 249,” she said.

 

 

The Democratic Society of America’s Cleveland chapter recently announced it is launching a Gender Freedom Policy Petition that would go against “recent legislation calling to limit and ban drag performances,” calling it, “an injustice to not only the drag scene but also the broader Cleveland community.”

The petitions also includes provisions “that safeguard drag performers” and call for city-backed gender-affirming care services.

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HB 249 now remains under review by the Ohio Senate and would require the governor’s signature before going into effect.

While the future remains uncertain, Burnett said, he and others in the drag community are hoping to build wider solidarity across all Ohio populations.

“We’re all just trying to live the same day-to-day life, get groceries, pay bills, drive to-and-from work. But there’s no room for hate,” Burnett said. “There’s no room for violence. We just want to feel like Ohio citizens.”



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Cleveland Guardians Legend Announces Retirement From MLB Before Opening Day

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Cleveland Guardians Legend Announces Retirement From MLB Before Opening Day



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CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 01: Roberto Perez #55 of the Cleveland Indians reacts after Addison Russell #27 of the Chicago Cubs , hit a two-run RBI double during the first inning in Game Six of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on November 1, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

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On Thursday evening, the Cleveland Guardians will play their first game of the 2026 regular season when they visit the Mariners in Seattle.

Before Opening Day, a franchise legend announced that he is calling it quits on his baseball career.

Cleveland Guardians Legend Announces Retirement

GettyCLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 10: Roberto Perez #55 of the Cleveland Indians hits a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers in the second inning during a game at Progressive Field on April 10, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Roberto Perez (who last played in 2023) announced his retirement from baseball (h/t MLB Trade Rumors).

Perez wrote (via Instagram): “After much thought and reflection, I have decided to officially retire from baseball. This game has been a major part of my life and has shaped me both on and off the field. Through baseball, I’ve learned discipline, resilience, teamwork, and the importance of commitment. I am deeply grateful for every coach, teammate, trainer, and supporter who helped me along the way and believed in me throughout my journey. While this decision was not an easy one, I feel confident that it is the right time to step away and begin the next chapter of my life. I leave the game with nothing but respect and appreciation for everything it has given me. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this experience and for the opportunities, lessons, and memories that will stay with me forever. Sincerely, Roberto Bebo Perez🙏🏻⚾️”

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Perez’s MLB Career

GettyCHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 29: Roberto Perez #55 of the Cleveland Indians walks across the field in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs in Game Four of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field on October 29, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Perez was picked in the 33rd round of the 2008 MLB Draft.

He spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Guardians.

In that span, the 37-year-old won two Gold Glove Awards (and helped the franchise reach the World Series).

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GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MN – JULY 31: Roberto Perez #55 and Brad Hand #33 of the Cleveland Indians hug at the mound after defeating the Minnesota Twins 6-2 at Target Field on July 31, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

Perez also spent the final two seasons of his ten-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants.

Over 516 career games, he batted .207 with 55 home runs, 193 RBI’s and 165 runs.

GettyNEW YORK, NY – MARCH 30: Roberto Perez #1 of the San Francisco Giants hits a single during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium on March 30, 2023 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Current Guardians

GettyCLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 30: Manager Stephen Vogt #12 of the Cleveland Guardians speaks with the media following game one of the American League Wild Card Series against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on September 30, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

The Guardians are coming off a season where they won the AL Central with an 88-74 record.

They lost to the Detroit Tigers in the Wild Card Round.

Ben Stinar Ben Stinar has been covering the NBA for over seven years. 

He has written for OnSI, Forbes, Amico Hoops, The Big Lead and had a podcast with former All-Star Jameer Nelson. More about Ben Stinar

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