Who will the Browns or Texans face next? Explaining possible opponents in the NFL playoff bracket for 2024

The Browns haven’t won a playoff game since the 2020 postseason. The Texans haven’t won a playoff game since the 2019 postseason.

Something has to give on Saturday, as No. 4 seed Houston hosts No. 5 seed Cleveland in a wild-card matchup in the 2024 playoffs.

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The rebuild is well ahead of schedule for the Texans. Led by star rookies QB C.J. Stroud and linebacker Will Anderson Jr., Houston won the AFC South for the first time in four years, going 10-7 in DeMeco Ryans’ first year as a head coach. A win over the Colts in Week 18 secured the Texans a spot in the postseason, and the Jaguars’ loss to the Titans helped the club claim the division.

For the Browns, it’s all been about the resurgence of Joe Flacco. The veteran quarterback signed with the Browns’ practice squad during the year, with injuries depleting Cleveland’s quarterback room. The 39-year-old turned back the clock, taking over as the starter in Week 13 and leading the Browns to a 4-1 record in those starts, with Cleveland ending the regular season at 11-6.

The wild-card matchup is the first one on the docket this weekend, but who will the winner play in the next round?

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Here’s a look at who the Browns or Texans could face in the divisional round.