It’s now Joe Flacco’s team as Browns gear up for playoff run
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
The convergence of Joe Flacco landing in the Browns’ lap at a critical juncture of their season is about to become quite the story in this crazy NFL season.
Flacco Fever is about to go national.
In an encore performance to his impressive debut last week after an 11-month layoff, the salt-and-peppered Flacco out-dueled younger, mobile Trevor Lawrence and commanded the Browns to a 31-27 victory over the AFC South-leading Jacksonville Jaguars. It strengthened the (8-5) Browns’ fifth-seed position in the crowded AFC wild-card field.
Flacco passed for 311 yards and three touchdowns, giving him 565 yards and five TDs in his two games since leaving his family in Audubon, NJ, to rescue the Browns’ desperate quarterback situation. He played like he was 28, not 38.
Flacco’s three touchdowns all were for 30 yards or more – the first Browns’ quarterback to do that since Brian Sipe in his MVP season of 1980.
Flacco’s wife and five kids were on hand to witness his 100th career victory in the NFL, his 10th in Cleveland Browns Stadium, and first with his new team. He became the fourth QB to win a game for the Browns this year – matching a feat accomplished only seven previous times by teams in the NFL since 1950.
The Joe Flacco story gets better and better -- 311 yards and 3 TDs in his second start. (Cleveland Browns)
And unless something unforeseen happens – is there anything left? – Flacco will be the last quarterback to register a win for the Browns this year.
Coach Kevin Stefanski was so impressed that he didn’t hesitate in answering “yes” when asked if he was ready to name Flacco the starter the rest of the year.
“He’s tremendous … a phenomenal leader,” said receiver David Bell, who combined with Flacco for the play of the day in a wild game filled with explosive plays.
“Ice in his veins. He balled out,” said tight end David Njoku, who had touchdown catches of 34 and 30 yards.
“Other than one play [an interception], he was fantastic,” said defensive end Myles Garrett.
“He’s been in every situation you can imagine,” said left guard Joel Bitonio. “Calm. I saw a little fire today. He gets excited when we score some touchdowns.”
Nothing excited Flacco more than the touchdown hookup with Bell with 12:34 left in the fourth quarter.
The teams were trading turnovers (four takeaways for the Browns, three for the Jaguars) and though the Browns were doubling the Jaguars in total yards at the time, they couldn’t shake them.Lawrence, who was a game-time decision to play after suffering a bad ankle sprain six days earlier, had capitalized on Flacco’s second turnover – a lost fumble on a sack – and closed the Browns’ lead to 21-14 as the game grinded into the fourth quarter.
Lawrence was throwing almost every down to make up the deficit and his home-run shot for Calvin Ridley was overthrown and intercepted by Greg Newsome. But four plays later, the Browns faced fourth-and-3 at the Jaguars’ 41. Stefanski, who called all the right shots, gambled that Flacco could convert.
The Jaguars sent the house on a zero blitz, leaving the middle of the field wide open. Flacco and Bell didn’t need to communicate before the snap of the ball what to expect.
“We all saw the same thing,” Bell said. “We all had man coverage. I just got to get open as fast as I can.”
Flacco maneuvered in the pocket long enough to give Bell time to work through traffic off the line of scrimmage. The ball was on the mark, just a few yards in the middle, and Bell had nothing but green grass ahead for a 41-yard touchdown – the first of his career. Flacco loped down to celebrate with Bell after the play.
“That was outstanding,” Stefanski said. “Unbelievable play by the quarterback. He’s not hot. He’s hotter than Hades on that play, and we did not have the blitz picked up and he drifted to his right. Great feel by David Bell and then an unbelievable play.”
No rust in Flacco’s game to slow down his decision-making there.
“I think you’re always pretty aware when people are coming after you,” he said. “I say that, but I then I also got hit from my right side and fumbled, so who knows? Listen, there’s all kinds of those plays that don’t work out and you hope that you can overcome it and win the game anyway. And that was just one of the big plays for us today.”
They weren’t limited to the offense.
Cornerback Martin Emerson had two interceptions, Newsome one, and linebacker Anthony Walker stripped and recovered a fumble. The defense was tongue-lashed by coordinator Jim Schwartz during the week and it responded with four sacks of Lawrence along with the four takeaways.
Myles Garrett wasn’t credited officially with a sack, though he took down Lawrence on a two-point try after the Jaguars’ QB connected for his third touchdown and cut the lead to 31-27 with 1:33 to play.
Everyone had to sweat out Jacksonville’s onside kick – the first in the era of special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone. Punt returner James Proche competently covered the ball to secure the win – the Browns’ sixth in seven games at home this year.
Garrett was livid about the fouls that were not called as the Jaguars sold out to keep Garrett from wrecking the game.
“The officiating was a travesty today,” Garrett said. “It was honestly awful. And the fact that they’re letting them get away with hands to the face, holding, false starting. I know they called a couple, but damn, they could have called it all game.”
As it was, there were 15 penalties enforced and there were 15 punts along with the seven turnovers, making for 3 hours and 43 minutes of sloppy, ugly, dirty football.
And yet the offense hasn’t looked as beautiful in a long time.
“I think you guys can see it and feel it a little bit,” Flacco said. “We have the ability to really start to get over the hump. We’re not quite there yet, but we’re going to work hard and continue to get better.”
