(Cleveland) Joe Flacco passed for 309 yards and three touchdowns and the Cleveland Browns earned their second playoff berth since 2002 by defeating the New York Jets 37-20 on Thursday.
The Browns (11-5) are guaranteed to be at least one of the teams drafted in the American Association and could finish at the top of the North section – and perhaps the American -, a scenario which seemed improbable a year ago. a few weeks away due to injuries.
But things have changed since Flacco arrived. Cleveland was charmed.
The 38-year-old quarterback improved to 4-1 as a starter with the Browns, who signed the Super Bowl 47 MVP to save their season. He did it brilliantly.
Flacco connected with Jerome Ford twice for touchdowns in the first half and the Browns built a 20-point lead against the Jets (6-10), who opted not to re-sign the 15-year veteran after he played three campaigns with the club. They didn’t change their mind after the injury suffered by Aaron Rodgers in the first week of activities.
Flacco rushed for 296 yards in the first half and became the first quarterback in 34 games to surpass the 300-yard mark against the Jets. He also became the first Browns quarterback to reach 300 yards in four consecutive games.
The Jets were forced to start Trevor Siemian for a second straight week with Zach Wilson sidelined with a concussion.
Siemian had some good moments, but missed a pass in the first quarter that was returned 30 yards to the end zone by safety Ronnie Hickman to give the Browns a 20-7 lead.
Jermaine Johnson also returned an interception for a major against Flacco from a distance of 37 yards in the second quarter.
Nothing has been easy for the Browns this season as they have been plagued by injuries. Flacco is notably the fourth quarterback to start a game for the Ohio club. A total of 12 players, including quarterback Deshaun Watson and running back Nick Chubb, are on the injured list.