The audience chanted “Fla-cco, Fla-cco” Thursday night when the Cleveland Browns qualified for the playoffs, and the party continued in the locker room.Joe Flacco led the Browns (11-5) to a 37-20 win over the Jets to make their first playoff appearance since 2020 and third since 1999.”Pretty special night for this organization,” said Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski. “Pretty special night for the fans out there.”Before an exciting atmosphere, the Browns surged on New York early and never back down. Flacco threw three touchdown touchdowns in the first half, including a 7-yard ball to Jerome Ford on the first possession.ESPN Stats & Information said that Flacco passed for 296 yards in the first half, his most ever.
Cleveland’s four-game winning streak has seen Flacco throw for over 300 yards in every game.“This is obviously a very unique situation for me, so a lot of different emotions are going through my head,” said Flacco, the only NFL quarterback to score at least 250 passing yards and multiple touchdowns in his first five games with a new team. “The city is incredible… It’s fantastic to play for them because they adore football.”Flacco had no team six weeks ago.After three seasons with the Jets, he went unsigned in the offseason and was brought to Cleveland’s practice squad on Nov. 20 after Deshaun Watson’s season-ending shoulder injury.
Joe Flacco
Despite turning 39 next month, Flacco is leading this team into the playoffs.
In a surprising turn of events, the spotlight shone on Joe Flacco, a seasoned quarterback and 2012 Ravens Super Bowl winner, during a recent game. Despite being a topic of jest in Baltimore, the narrative around Flacco took an unexpected twist as he showcased a side not often associated with elite athletes. C.J. Mosley, a Jets linebacker and former teammate of Flacco, expressed his admiration for the quarterback’s uncharacteristic behavior.”Everybody always joked, even in Baltimore, was he elite?” remarked Mosley, capturing the sentiment that had long lingered around Flacco’s career. The quarterback, once celebrated for his Super Bowl triumph, had become a subject of debate among football enthusiasts. However, the recent events surrounding Flacco challenged preconceived notions about his character and commitment to the game.
“What he did, coming from home to hang with his kids,” Mosley continued, emphasizing the atypical choice Flacco made. It was a departure from the norm for a veteran athlete, especially one in the midst of a competitive NFL season. Flacco’s decision to prioritize family time over the customary pre-game rituals caught the attention of not only his teammates but also fans and critics alike.
Following the game, in which Flacco received unexpected cheers from Browns fans, Mosley couldn’t help but acknowledge the irony. “I told him after the game that Browns fans screaming, ‘Flacco!’ is ridiculous,” Mosley stated. The quarterback, once a rival figure for Browns supporters, had endeared himself in an unexpected way, transcending the boundaries of team loyalty.
As the Jets pursued the elusive win, Mosley, despite the competitive spirit, expressed genuine happiness for his friend. “We wanted the win, but as a friend and fan, I’m thrilled for him,” he admitted. Flacco’s resilience, both on and off the field, had evidently left an impression on those who had shared the locker room with him. The narrative surrounding Joe Flacco, once defined by on-field accomplishments, was evolving, painting a more nuanced picture of the veteran quarterback.