Joe Flacco's near-magic December run fizzled out against the Houston Texans in a Saturday night AFC wild-card matchup.

The Cleveland Browns lost 45-14, which some may describe as embarrassing.  

But for these Browns, getting to the playoffs was the victory not many could – or should – have expected. 

“I was so fortunate to become a part of this team,” Flacco said. “It’s a special group. I know a lot of people can say that, but it really is. To be given a chance to do this with those guys, I’m super grateful for it.”

The Browns were never supposed to be in the NFL playoffs. Cleveland lost its starting running back and star Nick Chubb in Week 2. 

Cleveland then lost Deshaun Watson for the season in mid-November. 

The Browns started five different quarterbacks in the 2023 season. Kevin Stefanski and his coaching staff landed on Flacco late in the year, and the veteran quarterback did more than anyone could have planned.

In the season's final month, Flacco led the Browns to a 4-1 record in games that he started. He threw over 300 yards in all but one of those games. 

Flacco gave the Browns moments fans won't forget – think the win over the New York Jets, which punched Cleveland's ticket to the postseason. 

He also gave the Browns and fans moments to forget – the two pick-6s that doomed the Browns on Saturday. 

For the run, there are moments to hold on to. But the way the run ended will leave a lingering feeling for many who believed the holiday magic could carry over into the new year. 

Several questions still abound about Cleveland's loss to Houston. What happened to defense? Why did Flacco find himself throwing to the Browns' No. 4 receiver –  David Bell – so much? Did Cleveland run out of gas? 

Those questions are to be answered in the coming days by higher-ups in the front office. Whatever answers they may give, it doesn't negate the mysticism everyone watched as a soon-to-be 39-year-old gunslinger brought playoff football back to the Browns for just the third time since 1999. 

“I love it here, (but) we’re dealing with so much going through the emotions of this game,” Flacco said. “Being so excited to be in this position and coming up empty, so that’s where my head is. Just trying to soak it all in and let this digest.”

Once time heals the wounds of how the season ended, there will always be the memories of the run that put Cleveland in a space no one expected it to be.