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Today's starting lineup
If there was a way for the Texans' first playoff game in four years to go better than it did Saturday, it's hard to envision how. C.J. Stroud had a masterful performance in his postseason debut, leading Houston to a blowout win over Cleveland at NRG Stadium. Stroud and first-year coach DeMeco Ryans have made this Texans team something the likes of which Houston hasn't seen before, writes Jerome Solomon. The defense, strafed by the Browns less than a month ago, blew the game open with two interceptions returned for touchdowns in less than two minutes. Tight end Brevin Jordan had a record-setting play while giving the Texans the lead for good. We also have our weekly Texans report card and turning point. Please scroll down for more Texans playoff coverage.
Suffice to say, the Rockets' Saturday night was not as memorable. Houston's defense was diced up in a major way as coach Ime Udoka was greeted in his return to Boston with a beatdown from his old Celtics squad.
UH's basketball week began the week with no losses in 14 games. The No. 2 Cougars now have two setbacks in five days to unranked teams after another last-second loss in Big 12 play, this time at TCU.
Four more years? That's the case for Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, who got a contract extension Saturday after leading his team to its first College Football Playoff berth.
Need some inspiration? Meet Jeff Waldmuller, an amputee and marathon runner who'll be running his fourth Chevron Houston Marathon today.
Stat of the day: 0. Quarterbacks younger than the Texans' C.J. Stroud (22 years, 102 days) to win an NFL playoff game.
 | Greg Rajan, Texas Sports Nation editor |
NFL Playoffs: Texans 45, Browns 14
Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer
Like nothing we've seen before
The way this Texans team plays with new coach DeMeco Ryans and quarterback C.J. Stroud brings a winning combo that the franchise hasn't had before, writes Jerome Solomon.
- See C.J. excel: In his first playoff game, C.J. Stroud belied his rookie status with a historic performance in a rout of the Browns.
- Won't get burned again: Burned by the Browns during the regular season, the Texans' defense turned it around Saturday with a pair of interception returns for touchdowns.
- There goes Mr. Jordan: Tight end Brevin Jordan's touchdown was the longest in Texans postseason history and the longest by the team this season.
- Report card: The Texans played their first postseason game in four years and it's hard to imagine things going better. Here's how we graded the performance of Houston's units against the Browns.
- Wait and see: Because of a postponement, the Texans won't know their next opponent until Monday night. We look at the possibilities.
- Turning point: Derek Barnett applied the pressure and Steven Nelson took care of the rest with the interception return that helped kick-start the Texans' rout of the Browns.
- How it happened: The Texans cruised past the Browns in their AFC wild-card game. Here's how the game played out at NRG Stadium.
- Putting his own spin on it: Desmond King had a good laugh about his unusual tackle of Joe Flacco that went viral during the Texans' playoff win.
- Down but not out: A knee injury briefly sidelined Texans tackle Laremy Tunsil during Saturday's game.
- Watson in town: Deshaun Watson is out for the season, but he made the trip to Houston to watch his Browns face his old Texans squad.
- Why he stuck around: Ex-Texans linebacker Brian Cushing, the pregame hype man, discusses why he stayed in Houston after his playing days ended.
- Blacked out no more: After being off cable/satellite services such as DirectTV and U-Verse and leaving some fans without Texans games, CBS affiliate KHOU is back on the systems after owner Tegna and AT&T reached a deal Saturday.
- Quite the show: The Texans put on another classic Houston hip hop halftime show, including a full performance of "Still Tippin'."
Rockets / NBA
Photo by: Michael Dwyer/Associated Press
Defenseless feeling
The Rockets had been trending the wrong way defensively before Saturday's game in Boston, and the Celtics made matters a whole lot worse in a blowout victory.
- Beatdown in Beantown: The Rockets saw their struggles on their current road trip continue while the Celtics extended a franchise-record home winning streak in impressive fashion.
- In his old haunts: Ime Udoka discusses his return to Boston in his first game back there after being suspended and fired as Celtics coach.
- Brooks is back: Defensive stopper Dillon Brooks' return after missing nine games allowed the Rockets to return to their preferred starting lineup.
College Basketball
Photo by: Julio Cortez/Associated Press
Another tough loss
Life in the Big 12, especially on the road, has been unforgiving for UH, which lost at TCU on Saturday and dropped consecutive games for just the second time in the past seven seasons.
- Texas A&M 97, Kentucky 92 (OT): After losing its first two SEC games, Texas A&M rebounded in a big way against No. 6 Kentucky, which saw its six-game win streak snapped.
- West Virginia 76, Texas 73: West Virginia built a double-digit lead and held on to beat No. 25 Texas.
College Football
Photo by: Gerald Herbert, Associated Press
Four more years
After a 12-2 season and No. 3 ranking, Texas extends Steve Sarkisian's contract for another four seasons.
Houston Marathon
Photo by: Brett Coomer/Staff Photographer
Meet Jeff Waldmuller
A marathon runner, amputee and inspiration, Jeff Waldmuller is the unofficial spokesperson for Athletes with Disabilities in its 10th year at today's Chevron Houston Marathon
High School Basketball
Photo by: Bob Levey, Houston Chronicle
Passing with flying colors
Clements led by double digits in the third quarter to defeat Elkins and finish a perfect first half in District 20-6A.
Worth a read
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