The Cleveland Browns weren’t the only team reeling after their 45-14 Super Wild Card Weekend loss to the Texans. They can commiserate with the Arizona Cardinals.

Houston’s ascendence from 3-13-1 in 2022 to the AFC Divisional Round under first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans is one of the greatest turnarounds in NFL history, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the franchise fleecing both Arizona and Cleveland in trades in 2022 and 2023.

In March 2022, the Texans traded quarterback Deshaun Watson to the Browns for three first-rounders (2022-24), 2022 and ’24 fourth-round picks and a 2023 third-round pick.

During the 2023 NFL Draft, they moved up to No. 3 overall (where they selected EDGE Will Anderson Jr.) by trading their 2022 first-round pick from Cleveland (No. 12 overall), their own 2024 first-rounder, a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick.

The move was a risk. Entering the 2023 season, the Jaguars appeared ready to rule the AFC South for years to come. With a first-year head coach and rookie quarterback, the Texans were only expected to be marginally better than in 2022.

Sending its own 2024 first-rounder – and not Cleveland’s – to Arizona looked like it could be disastrous, with the pick viewed as a potential top-five selection. However, because of its wild-card win over Cleveland, Houston’s gamble paid off as big as one of Mattress Mack’s.

That Browns pick is projected to be No. 23 overall, while Houston’s own pick, which is headed to the Cardinals, is projected to be No. 26, with the potential to be even closer to Round 2 if the Texans’ run goes even further.

With electric rookies C.J. Stroud and Anderson Jr., Houston has elite talent at arguably the two most important positions on either side of the ball. Stroud is the leading contender for Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year and is compiling one of (if not the) greatest seasons by a rookie quarterback in league history.

He’s been so good that it’s overshadowed Anderson Jr.’s phenomenal season. He was the best edge-rusher in Saturday’s wild-card win, even better than Browns’ former No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett. Anderson Jr. finished with seven total pressures, tied for the second-most by a rookie in a playoff game since 2018, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

The Texans are the AFC’s feel-good story, and while a game at either the Ravens or Chiefs in the divisional round won’t be easy, their 2023 script can get even better.

Even if next weekend marks the end of the season for Houston, its future is arguably brighter than any other franchise. They’ll need plenty of sunblock in Cleveland and Arizona.