The Cleveland Browns have returned to the playoffs. With a 34-20 win over the New York Jets, Cleveland returns to the postseason for just the second time in two decades. Head Coach Kevin Stefanski becomes the first coach to lead the Browns to the playoffs twice since Marty Schottenheimer in the late 1980s.
Cleveland Browns Punch Playoff Ticket in Historic Win
The team has already managed to surpass the expectations of most experts. Many pundits pegged the Cleveland Browns to finish with nine or ten wins. Yet, the Browns have 11 with one week to go. They’ve also managed to win four straight without their franchise quarterback, franchise running back, top-three offensive tackles, and a banged-up defense. Thursday night, the Browns also played without both specialists and their top wide receiver. Their second receiver, Elijah Moore, didn’t return after a concussion late in the first half.
Joe Flacco Accomplishes NFL First
Quarterback Joe Flacco was the fourth quarterback to start for the Cleveland Browns this season. That wasn’t in anyone’s plans. But Flacco has now led the team to four straight wins under center. On Thursday night, he became the first player in NFL history to throw for at least 250 yards and two touchdowns in his first five games with an NFL team.
“This city’s been unbelievable,” Flacco told NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo following the game. “I can’t say enough about it. I mean, you felt it in here tonight. Awesome atmosphere. It is really exciting to kind of get the job done and make sure we get that spot in the playoffs here tonight in front of this crowd.”
On a surreal night in Cleveland, the Browns faithful could be heard chanting, “Flacco! Flacco!” as the game wrapped up. With an 18-3 record against the Browns, Flacco famously led the rival Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl over a decade ago. But since he joined the team five weeks ago, Flacco has been among the top passers in the NFL. He’s led the Browns to a touchdown on the opening drive in four of his first five starts. In the first half against the Jets, he put up 296 yards passing. That’s the second most in the NFL this season.
Cleveland Browns Late Season Rushing Resurgence
Flacco has thrown up a storm for the Cleveland Browns, but the rushing game has been downright terrible the last two weeks. Since Flacco is a play-action specialist, it makes his success all the more amazing. The Browns averaged below two yards a carry the last two weeks.
Much of this is attributable to the banged-up Browns’ offensive line. Cleveland lost RT Jack Conklin in Week 1, LT Jed Wills at midseason, and OT Dawand Jones a few weeks ago. But the patchwork offensive line finally seemed to gel Thursday night. Cleveland’s 4.5 yards per carry was the best in weeks, and it allowed the offense to finally balance its playcalling.
Moreover, while Flacco has displayed surprising mobility for a 38-year-old strong-armed quarterback, he’s been sacked and pressured a fair amount in his first four weeks. But Flacco stayed upright all night against the Jets, who have one of the top defenses in the league.
Number One Seed Still in Sight for the Cleveland Browns (Barely)
Although the Cleveland Browns entered the week two games behind the Ravens with two to play, they still have an outside shot at the top seed in the AFC. With the third-best record in the AFC but the second in their division, the Browns currently hold the No. 5 seed. That’s the top wildcard spot in the conference. They can officially clinch that with a win next week or a loss by Buffalo in the next two weeks (and can probably do it through tiebreakers if worse comes to worst). The No. 5 seed would mean the Browns would go on the road for the first week of the playoffs. Right now, that would likely be to the AFC South’s champion, either Houston, Tennessee, or Jacksonville.
But if Baltimore loses their final two games, and Miami wins against Baltimore and loses to Buffalo, Cleveland could conceivably clinch the top spot with a 12-5 record. That would get them a first-round bye and a home divisional-round game.
If Baltimore beats Miami and Buffalo improbably loses to New England, that would lock the Browns into the No. 5 seed before the weekend is out. That would make next Sunday’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals a meaningless game for Cleveland. If that happens, will Stefanski rest his stars and get them some much-needed rest? These are questions Cleveland isn’t used to asking in January, but that’s a change that Browns fans will certainly enjoy.
Main Photo: [Ken Blaze] – USA Today Sports
