2023 NFL playoff picture: How white hot Joe Flacco, Browns can win AFC North, land No. 1 seed

If you’re feeling nostalgic and wondering why, don’t immediately pinpoint the holidays — it might very well be Joe Flacco making the world feel like it was 2013 all over again. A decade ago, January Joe set the world on fire with an all-time playoff run that netted the Ravens a Super Bowl victory and Flacco a couple of big bags. 

Flacco improbably has the 2023 Browns hurtling towards a playoff berth after their latest win, a dominant 36-22 road win in Houston. Lest you think the 38-year-old veteran is riding an elite defense’s coattails, peep the stats: Flacco went 27-of-42 for 368 yards and three touchdowns. Yes, he threw two picks but the rapport between he and Amari Cooper hit record-breaking levels, with the former first-round picks hooking up 11 times for 265 yards and two of Flacco’s scores.

Sure, the Texans were starting backup quarterback Case Keenum, but there will be no sympathy from Cleveland, not with the Browns trotting out Flacco as their fourth starting quarterback this season. Flacco is pulling this yesteryear magic out while playing behind a mostly-backup/definitely banged-up offensive line. 

Flacco’s now dropped back 40+ times in all four of his games for Cleveland and has thrown for 300+ yards in the last three, with a total of 10 touchdowns over the four games. The Browns are 3-1 in his starts, making Flacco the perfect poster boy for 2023, the Year of the Backup in the NFL. 

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Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2023-nfl-playoff-picture-how-white-hot-joe-flacco-browns-can-win-afc-north-land-no-1-seed/

Author : Will Brinson

Publish date : 2023-12-24 23:31:54

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