Rookie CJ Stroud guides Houston Texans to victory over Cleveland Browns

Houston Texans' rookie quarterback CJ Stroud on Saturday led his team to a 45-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns to kick off the American Football Conference (AFC) wildcard round.

Stroud made a strong debut for Houston completing 16 of 21 passes for 274 yards with no interceptions, without the Browns' defence getting to him for a sack,  hindering veteran quarterback Joe Flacco's remarkable comeback.

He outshined 38-year-old Super Bowl winner Cleveland's Flacco, who was brought back from semi-retirement by the Browns after losing three quarterbacks to injury.

The 22 years and 102 days old rookie quarterback became the youngest of his position to win a playoff game passing Michael Vick, who was 22 and 192 days old when he led the Atlanta Falcons past the Green Bay Packers in 2002.

He said: "Just to have another week to go at it with my brothers is a blessing.”

"He's special, a special young man," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said of Stroud. "Continues to shine no matter how big the moment is."

Stroud's touchdowns, including a 76-yarder to Brevin Jordan and a 37-yarder to Dalton Schultz, gave Houston a 10-7 lead, but the Texans' defence eventually took control.

Flacco, released by the New York Jets in November, threw for one touchdown in the first half but had two interceptions returned for touchdowns in the second half.

He faced pressure when a pass was intercepted by Steven Nelson for 82 yards, and Houston's Christian Harris returned a pass intended for Harrison Bryant for 36 yards.

Texans running back Devin Singletary put it away early in the fourth with a 19-yard touchdown run.

"We've got to just keep it going," Stroud said, heaping praise on his teammates. "There's no me without my teammates, my O-line, my tight ends, my running backs, receivers and my defence. We all put it together."