There are a complete mess of groups clustered along with 7-6 data within the AFC. A kind of groups shouldn’t be the Cleveland Browns. Joe Flacco stepped in as a beginning quarterback for the injured Deshaun Watson and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Even with Thompson-Robinson now wholesome, head coach Kevin Stefanski has named Flacco the starter for the remainder of the season.
The rationale for that’s the 38-year-old Flacco is utilizing that golden arm of his to rev up the Browns’ offense. They defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars — who began a hobbled Trevor Lawrence — 31-27 on Sunday. Following that victory, the Browns, at 8-5, are the fifth seed within the AFC and technically nonetheless within the hunt for a division championship.
Lawrence’s unhealthy ankle had nothing to do with Flacco passing for 311 yards and three touchdowns. His greatest performs appeared nothing like him hanging within the pocket to launch a ball 50 yards within the air to a streaking Jacoby Jones that defeated the Denver Broncos within the playoffs 10 years in the past. These had been timing routes, a few which went for lengthy touchdowns. He put David Njoku to work with six receptions for 91 yards and two scores.
In Week 13, Flacco performed properly sufficient to maintain the Browns inside one level of the red-hot Los Angeles Rams till he underthrew a deep cross to Elijah Moore. The cross was intercepted and returned deep into Cleveland territory.
Turnovers are part of the take care of Flacco. Even when he was at his greatest with the Baltimore Ravens, if he was the starter for the entire season he threw double-digit interceptions. Flacco threw one within the second quarter in opposition to the Jaguars. The Browns had been in Jags’ territory and up 14-0 on the time. They may have put the sport out of attain on that drive.
The Browns definitely are conscious that by giving Flacco the job for the remainder of the season, he’ll give the ball away at instances. He began three video games for the New York Jets final season whereas Zach Wilson recovered from a knee damage. In Flacco’s remaining begin, he accomplished just below 54 p.c of his passes, threw two interceptions, and misplaced two of his three fumbles. The Jets didn’t even convey him again on the roster after Aaron Rodgers’ damage this season.
There is no such thing as a changing a beginning quarterback, and Watson had barely performed like one for many 2023. Mix that with shedding Nick Chubb in Week 2 for the remainder of season, the sport after proper deal with Jack Conklin suffered a season-ending damage, and the Browns wanted each stick of glue and roll of tape in Northeast Ohio to maintain their offense collectively.
That’s Flacco’s job for the following few video games. He’s being requested to maintain the offense from falling aside. As a veteran quarterback who nonetheless has a great arm, Flacco can deal with this accountability for a number of weeks. Even when he places up a stinker later this month, the win in opposition to the Jaguars offers the Browns some cushion within the postseason race.
With probably the greatest defenses within the league the Browns ought to be capable of maintain each sport shut the remainder of the best way.
