How I wanted Joe Flacco and the Browns to win this game.
Watching it, I kept thinking, “This is a great story.”
As Flacco was doing an imitation of the Joe Flacco who used to torment the Browns when he was with Baltimore, I was thinking, “This is so cool … I can’t wait to write.”
Joe Flacco (of all people) shows up 12 days ago to rescue the Browns – the same Joe Flacco who has an 18-3 career record vs. Cleveland.
It would have been so much fun to write, “It’s about time Flacco helped the Browns!”
OK, the Browns lost to the Rams, 36-19, Sunday.
When looking at that final score, it’s hard to believe it was 20-19 in favor of the Rams with 8:49 left in the game.
But I’ll return to my original thought – Joe Flacco showed up and helped the Browns.
It’s still a good story, despite the fact Flacco’s interception set up a Rams fourth-quarter TD to put L.A. in control of this game.
It also gives Browns fans some hope for the remaining five games. If Flacco can continue his solid play at QB, the 7-5 Browns will remain in the playoff race.
But the defense … hey, guys … shape up! The Browns allowed 399 yards as the Rams hit them hard with running plays. Cleveland has looked disjointed defensively in the last two games.
AN AMAZING PERFORMANCE
I doubt most of us have a clue about the challenge facing Joe Flacco.
The guy arrived with the Browns less than two weeks ago. He had no training camp. He was working out with his brother (a former college QB) and some friends when at home, hoping for an offer to join a team. He semi-joked that he was throwing the ball to his five kids.
This is not the way to prepare for NFL action in a pressure-packed December game on the road.
The Browns signed him to the practice squad on Nov. 20. He didn’t receive regular work in practice until this past week. He replaced Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who is out with a concussion.
Because Flacco looked so poised playing QB on this day, it’s easy to assume most any veteran quarterback could do it. Browns fans know better.
Flacco gave Cleveland a chance to win if the defense had done its job.
TIME FOR A HISTORY LESSON
Flacco is the 37th QB to start for the Browns since the franchise returned in 1999, eight more than any other team has had in that span.
Flacco is the 19th QB that veteran Browns guard Joel Bitonio has blocked for in his 10-year career.
Flacco became the oldest QB in Browns history to throw a TD pass. Flacco is 38 years and 321 days old. He passed up Don Strock (1989), who was 38 years and 21 days old when he was pressed into emergency duty.
The first time Flacco touched the ball for the Browns in a game, he took his team 75 yards in nine plays for a TD.
Flacco connected with Amari Cooper on a 22-yard pass for a first down on a slant. It was a third-and-14 play. He threw a 24-yard TD pass to Jerome Ford, who was wide open on a busted coverage. Flacco faked to Ford in the backfield. The running back floated out away from the line of scrimmage and was wide open.
That was Flacco’s first TD pass since Sept. 18, 2022, when he played for the Jets against … yes … the Browns. He threw four TD passes that day in a 31-30 Jets win.
Flacco played in three more games after that 2022 victory over the Browns. He was 47 of 88 passing, zero TDs and two interceptions. He made two more starts for the Jets and didn’t even put a TD on the board in those games.
At that point, word in the NFL was Flacco was finished. It’s why he couldn’t even secure an invitation to training camp in 2023. Certainly his agent called other teams when they lost QBs, but no one had an interest until the Browns during Thanksgiving week.
And the Browns passed up several chances to sign Flacco earlier in the year when they lost QBs to injuries.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
The Browns should stick with Flacco. He was 23 of 44 passing for 254 yards, a pair of TDs and one interception.
His poise and arm strength should give the team confidence as the games grow harder, the weather turns colder.
Flacco is a veteran AFC North quarterback after spending 11 years with Baltimore.
His arm is still a howitzer. His ability to read opposing defenses is sharp. His confidence at the line of scrimmage is apparent. He is smart enough to throw the ball away to avoid sacks. Offensive linemen like blocking for him because they know where he’ll be in the pocket.
Will Flacco be great? Nope.
Is he better than anyone of us could have expected? You bet.
