We are now at that point of the season where even the most obscure, uneventful games can have major implications. NFL teams are going to separate themselves from the rest ahead of this final stretch.
One team eager to establish itself as one of the AFC’s elite is the Joe Flacco-led (yes, the year is 2023) Cleveland Browns.
Our Lord And Savior
Being that is it almost Christmas time I would like to talk about Cleveland’s lord and savior, Joe Flacco. No, it is not 2014, yet Flacco arguably had his best game since that season. On Sunday, he completed 26 of 45 passes for 311 yards, three touchdowns, and only one interception. That was great compared to Trevor Lawerence’s three interceptions thrown into the hands of Cleveland’s defense. It’s shocking that in the year 2023, even for one week, Flacco looked better than Lawrence. Oh, how the tables have turned.
Joe Flacco was cooking yesterday 👨🏻🍳 pic.twitter.com/hrZpSevIh5
— SN Ohio (@SN_Ohio) December 11, 2023
Runnin’ Around the Christmas Tree
Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt played very complementary to each other. Hunt had 10 carries for 27 yards and one touchdown while Ford rushed 12 times for 51 yards.
It’s Njoku Time
Tight end David Njoku had a good day against the Jaguars defense. Put simply, he torched the Jacksonville defense, totaling six receptions for 91 yards. He also was on the receiving end for two of Flacco’s three touchdowns.
The Browns Shut It Down
The Browns’ defense kept Lawrence and Calvin Ridley in check. While the former No. 1 pick did have 300-plus yards and three touchdowns, he matched that number with a trio of interceptions (one to Greg Newsome II and two to Martin Emerson Jr.). The Browns’ defensive line was able to sack Lawrence four separate times, making this game a living hell for him.
Playoff Hopes Are Alive and Well
Currently, the Cleveland Browns are in the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoff race. That means that if the playoffs (yes, Jim Mora: playoffs!) started today, the Browns would rematch with the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, there are still four games left. The easiest way for the Browns to make the playoffs is winning out. Their remaining schedule includes games against the Chicago Bears, the Houston Texans, the New York Jets, and the Cincinnati Bengals. There is a very realistic possibility that Flacco will lead the Cleveland Browns to the promised land known as the NFL postseason in 2023.
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