Whether you’re a Cleveland Browns fan or not, it’s amazing to see the team make the playoffs this year.
Who am I fooling? It would be amazing to see the Browns in the playoffs.
The playoffs are not familiar territory for the Browns, despite going 11-5 in their last postseason appearance and losing in the divisional round to the eventual AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Prior to 2020, the Browns’ last playoff appearance was in 2002, when they were eliminated in the first round.
They haven’t won a playoff game since beating the New England Patriots in the wild card round in 1994.
The Browns are currently in fifth place in the AFC playoff standings after Sunday’s come-from-behind victory over the Chicago Bears 9-5 to move into second place in the AFC North.
Most of that has to do with the impressive defense, but recently acquired quarterback Joe Flacco also deserves a nod.
Joe Flacco is the quarterback the Browns need.Joe Flacco of the Browns and Ravens in the Super BowlThe 38-year-old was signed to the practice squad on Nov. 19 and finally became the starter in Week 13 when the Browns faced the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.
Cleveland lost that game, but Flacco was just getting started.
Flacco, a player who spent most of the season waiting at home for a phone call, threw for 254 yards, completing 23 of 44 passes for a touchdown and an interception in a 36-19 loss. Since then, Flacco and the Browns have gone 2-0 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Bears in the AFC South in back-to-back weeks.
The win over the then-5-8 Bears wasn’t all that impressive, but it was how Flacco responded after a slow start that gave Browns fans hope.
Through three quarters, Flacco completed a rotten 54 percent of his passes, going 17 of 31 for 162 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions, holding the Browns to 10.
In the 4th quarter, the “playoff group” showed bright expressions, understanding the team’s situation and postseason aspirations.
He missed just two passes, went 11-of-13 for 212 yards and a touchdown and scored 13 unanswered points to help the Browns win 20-17.
The return gave Flacco his 20th career touchdown in the fourth quarter and 26th of the game.
Flacco’s 212 passing yards in the fourth quarter were the most by a Browns player in a single quarter in 45 seasons, according to SI.
His 939 passing yards over the past three weeks are also the most by a Browns quarterback through three starts in franchise history.
suggestionCleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski named Myles Garrett the Defensive Player of the Year.
Joe Flacco keeps Browns playoff hopes alive.So just as the curse that has plagued the Browns for a century appeared in the third quarter of Sunday’s game, Flacco looked like a curse killer for just one quarter.
This is the quarterback this franchise needs. Decades. Of course, that’s only three games, a small sample even for a veteran quarterback like Flacco, who is in his 16th season.
But with the Browns trying to fill more holes in franchise history, this may be the best move for Cleveland.
The Browns have had a revolving door at quarterback for decades, from 1999-30.
At first, Flacco seemed like just another player to add to the growing roster. And that may still be the case.
This is a team that still struggles more on Sundays than any other NFL team and has a history of failure.
But here’s why Flacco seems right for the job. Flacco, who boasts a Super Bowl title, owns a 10-5 playoff record, good for a .667 winning percentage, according to StatMuse.
You’d have to go back to 1972 to add enough playoff appearances for the Browns to match Flacco.
That’s why you can’t write the Browns out of the AFC right now with just three games left in the regular season. Never assume it’s a “playoff bracket.”
