Well doesn't that just about sum things up for Cleveland. Christian Harris bursts through and grabs hold of Joe Flacco, swings him around and onto the floor for a big sack.

Oh, and it's fourth down so the Browns turn the ball over on downs and CJ Stroud can finally get back onto the field.

Joe Flacco is back on the field again and he'll have to keep slinging it with Cleveland so far behind. We're as likely to see another pick six as we are an offensive touchdown.

Joe Flacco is back on the field after that horror show a minute ago, and Cleveland simply have to go down and score now.

He'd just hit a strike over the middle for a long third-down conversion and the Browns looked like they were going to score, but that swing may have killed them off.

It looked like Flacco was just trying to throw it away, not trying anything spectacular, but he'd be better off just taking the sack.

They were doing so well until then, but that's Joe Flacco's ninth interception in his six games for Cleveland - a team that led the league in with 37 during the regular season.

Meanwhile, the Texans had the fewest with just 14 - and this latest one from the Browns may have just cost them the game.

Former NFL quarterback Todd Blackledge: "As good as he's played, Joe Flacco has thrown eight interceptions from five games [before today]. They heat the pocket up and Flacco can't get enough on it to throw it away."

A short pass to Njoku and a run up the middle and then a nice third-down conversion from Flacco to Cooper on another play-action pass.

Cleveland just need to show enough intent to run the ball to make the play-action worthwhile - and Flacco's a master exponent of the play-action pass.

CJ Stroud makes a few completions to get over 250 passing yards already but there's no major gain so the Texans will have to punt.

The third quarter is under way in Houston, with the Texans in possession.

“This is when your leaders come into play. People who’ve been there before like Flacco. There’s plenty of time on the clock” -Jason Bell, former NFL cornerback, on Sky Sports

“The Browns have got to get a stop [on Houston’s first drive of the second half]” -Ndamukong Suh, 2021 Super Bowl winner, on Sky Sports

Image source, Getty Images

CJ Stroud had three touchdowns in that first half, tying the rookie record.

"He has been explosive. He has such a good understanding of what this Browns defence is trying to do and he is taking them out" - Jason Bell, former NFL cornerback, on Sky Sports

"He’s avoiding all contact. What I love is that he is controlling the game. Moving around in the pocket, making plays and opening up their run game" - Ndamukong Suh, 2021 Super Bowl winner, on Sky Sports

Ben Collins
BBC Sport

After a cagey start, this game has really burst into life. Both teams have quarterbacks willing to sling it, but they're also mixing it up by using the run game when need be - it's been a cracker so far.

Houston have the edge at the moment, and the home crowd looked electric as the players headed off at half-time, but that won't faze veteran Joe Flacco.

If the Browns can strike first in the third quarter, this game could come down to which team is in possession last. What a start to this season's play-offs!

What a brilliant first half of this season's play-offs as Houston take a 10-point lead into the locker room, and they get the ball first in the second half.

Joe Flacco has played well, but you can't say enough good things about CJ Stroud after a stunning first half of play-off football has seen him pass for 236 yards and three touchdowns!

And even beyond the stellar stats, just the way he's carried himself - he's cool, calm and collected and handled everything one of the best defences in the league has thrown at him.

Huge loss for Cleveland as Joe Flacco is brought down as the Browns scramble to try and get some points in the final minute if the half.

The clock stops for a break before the final two minutes of the half, just after Devin Singletary has a nice run inside the five pulled back for a flag on Houston.

The penalty count has been low though considering the Browns ranked second this season with 138 flags thrown against them, while Houston were fifth with 132.

Nico Collins is becoming a real pain for Cleveland, as he takes another short pass from CJ Stroud, looks like getting tackled for no gain but hits the afterburners and turns it into a first down.

Cleveland have to punt again after a nice stop by the Houston defence, and it's quite a short punt from Corey Bojorquez so the Texans will get the ball back on their own 29.

Just shows the importance of an elite punter in these play-off games, as one of the top guys in the league would get that at least inside the 20 and really back Houston up.

Former NFL quarterback Todd Blackledge: "This is a bust in the back end of the Cleveland defence. He gets flat-footed and Nico Collins runs right by him. He knew he had a shot at a walk-in touchdown there."