BEREA (AP) — When they signed Joe Flacco last month, the Browns hoped the veteran quarterback would keep them on the playoff roster.
Amid injuries and uncertainty, we needed someone to manage the situation. When Flacco arrived, expectations were tempered.
The decision was made after four matches.
Not only is Flacco on the verge of Cleveland’s second postseason in 21 years, but there are many in this football-crazy town who believe the 38-year-old can do anything with the Browns and their defense. top.
Through four games, he passed for 1,307 yards, more than any quarterback in that span, and 10 touchdowns, tying Flacco with the Rams’ Matthew Stafford and the 49ers’ Brock Purdy for the most over that span.
Not bad for a man who spent months watching the game on TV at home in New Jersey, wondering if he threw the last pass.Clearly, there’s something left in Flacco.
“He made a really good play,” All-Pro left fielder Joel Bitonio said. “I didn’t know what to expect.
I’ve seen him throw a little bit in practice. I think I can still throw the ball, but going to a game and going to practice are different.
“He was very good to us. He was a leader. He has really righted the ship and we are grateful to have him.”
Deshaun Watson returned to the Browns facility on Tuesday for the first time since season-ending shoulder surgery.
Over the years, the emergence of Cleveland’s starting quarterback has drawn an even bigger response. Not now.
The Browns are Flacco’s team. As fate would have it, he could help the Browns clinch a playoff spot Thursday night with a win over the New York Jets, Flacco’s team from last season.
New York decided against doing this in the offseason or after losing Aaron Rodgers to a season-ending Achilles tendon rupture.
Flacco says he has no animosity toward the Jets.”All kinds of things happen, whether it’s in season or out of season,” he said. “I really enjoyed my time there.
This is. I’m happy where I am. That’s for sure.”It’s funny to think about what happened, but Flacco says he’s not playing that game. “
Listen, there’s 32 teams in the NFL,” he said. “They’re just one of those teams. There are a lot of guys that I really respect and we’ve been in the same locker room together for years, so I have a lot of respect for them.
The Jets have passed on Flacco.The Browns can’t imagine where they would be without him.
What worksCoach Kevin Stefanski is the coach he always envisioned and the coach he knows best from his days in Minnesota.
Flacco’s pocket size, size, experience and underrated mobility can evolve plays, allowing receivers to go deeper on routes.
And Flacco’s big arms allow Stefanski to hit some low shots every now and then.
Why should we help?The running game was virtually non-existent in Houston, but that wasn’t necessarily a problem.
But it can be one.The Browns gained 54 yards on 30 carries, a whopping 1.8 yards per carry against the Texans.
Stefanski tried a wildcat formation (right), but had little success.Cleveland’s offensive line is a bit healthier with two returning starters, which helps.
But with weather an issue this week and a possible playoff spot, the Browns will be able to run the ball effectively.
NotAmari Cooper wasn’t satisfied with just one record. The wide receiver caught a franchise-high 11 passes for 265 yards in Houston.
Cooper also became the first player in Browns history to record back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.
With 1,250 yards, Cooper joined Terrell Owens as the only players to have three 200-yard games.
StopThree penalties were called against Texans cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. Otherwise, the 23-year-old had a strong second season.injuryK Dustin Hopkins struggled with a 98-yard punt return because of a “week-to-week” left hamstring strain.
Hopkins’ injury prompted the Browns to bring in Riley Patterson, who was recently released by Detroit. … P Corey Boyorquez is also dealing with a foot injury and could miss time.
They also block field goals, making things even more difficult for Cleveland. …
Juan Thornhill (calf) returned to practice after missing three games. base number14 – Last season, the Jets had 1:22 left as Flacco led a rally to beat the Browns 31-30.
