Cleveland Browns are back in the playoffs, and it was led by the arm of Joe Flacco, who threw for almost 300 yards at halftime and ended up with 309 and three touchdowns.
The Browns’ defense never allowed the Jets to get into the endzone in the second half. The Jets moved the ball and controlled the clock but only scored three points.
As mentioned, the Jets only scored three points, and it should have been more as New York lined up for a 31-yard field goal on the opening drive of the second half, but Shelby Harris knocked down the kick to keep the lead at 17.
The Cleveland Browns clinched a playoff birth without Deshaun Watson, Nick Chubb, or Amari Cooper, who did not dress on Thursday night, and still won to clinch says a lot about this 2023 Browns team—a lot of credit to the coaching staff led by Kevin Stefanski.
In Thursday night’s matchup, Joe Flacco demonstrated his prowess with a remarkable performance, amassing 309 yards and three touchdowns. The Cleveland Browns secured an unexpected playoff berth, only their second since 2002, overcoming a season marred by numerous injuries, prevailing with a 37-20 victory over the New York Jets.
With a current record of 11-5, the Browns have solidified their wild-card spot and maintain the possibility of clinching the AFC North title and even the conference’s top seed. This achievement seemed improbable mere weeks ago, given the significant injuries the team endured.
Since Flacco joined the team, Cleveland’s fortunes have taken a turn for the better. The 38-year-old quarterback, boasting a 4-1 record as a starter for the Browns, was recruited last month from his New Jersey residence, a move aimed at salvaging their season. Flacco’s impact has exceeded expectations, highlighted by two touchdown passes to Jerome Ford in the first half, contributing to a 20-point lead over the Jets (6-10).
During the initial half, Flacco torched the Jets with an impressive 296 yards, becoming the first quarterback in 34 games to surpass 300 yards against them. Additionally, he achieved a notable milestone as the first Cleveland quarterback to exceed 300 passing yards in four consecutive games.
The Jets, forced to start Trevor Siemian in the absence of Zach Wilson due to a concussion, faced a challenging situation. Although Siemian displayed some positive moments, an overthrow in the late first quarter proved costly, resulting in a 30-yard pick-6 by Browns safety Ronnie Hickman and extending Cleveland’s lead to 20-7.
Despite facing adversity throughout the season, marked by a succession of injuries, the Browns have maintained their winning streak. Flacco, serving as their fourth starting quarterback, led the team to victory even in the absence of key players, including Deshaun Watson and Nick Chubb, who are on injured reserve.
In a season characterized by challenges, the Browns, entering a crucial game without their starting kicker, punter, and dynamic wide receiver Amari Cooper, showcased resilience. New additions Riley Patterson (kicker) and Matt Haack (punter) made impactful contributions, with Patterson successfully converting four out of five extra points and a 33-yard field goal.
Notable moments in the game included Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett ending a five-game sack drought by taking down Siemian in the first half. Meanwhile, New York’s Garrett Wilson surpassed 1,000 yards receiving for the second consecutive season, a remarkable feat achieved by only 10 active players in their first two seasons.
The game witnessed a concerning incident when Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore suffered a head injury in the second quarter. After making a 22-yard reception from Flacco, Moore’s helmet collided with the turf, prompting immediate medical attention. While being assisted off the field, Moore’s well-being became a focal point of concern for teammates and fans alike.
At Cincinnati Bengals next Sunday at 1 pm.
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