Resounding cheers of “Fla-cco, Fla-cco” echoed through the air on Thursday night as the Cleveland Browns secured their spot in the playoffs, sparking jubilation that spilled from the stands into the locker room—under the leadership of quarterback Joe Flacco, the Browns (11-5) triumphed over the New York Jets with a 37-20 victory, marking their first playoff appearance since 2020 and only their third since 1999.
“Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski expressed, “A truly special night for this organization and the fans out there,” encapsulating the significance of the achievement. The Browns, propelled by an electrifying atmosphere, seized control early against the New York Jets. Flacco showcased his prowess with three touchdown passes in the first half, including a 7-yard connection to running back Jerome Ford on the opening drive.
In a remarkable display, Flacco accumulated 296 passing yards in the first half, setting a career-high, as per ESPN Stats & Information research. Notably, every victory during Cleveland’s four-game winning streak has seen Flacco exceed 300 passing yards.
Flacco, who joined the Browns only six weeks ago after being unsigned during the offseason, reflected on the unique journey, stating, “This is obviously a very unique situation for me, so a lot of different emotions are going through my head.” The veteran quarterback, turning 39 next month, now leads the Browns into the postseason, making history as the first quarterback in NFL history to achieve at least 250 passing yards and multiple passing touchdowns in each of his first five games with a new franchise.
Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley acknowledged Flacco’s elite performance, saying, “He’s showing it. Not a lot of guys, especially veterans like him and his age, just coming from home, hanging with his kids, do what he’s done.” The scene on Thursday night contrasted with the past, as Browns fans filled the stadium early and stayed late to savor the moment.
Tight end David Njoku, who contributed significantly with 134 receiving yards, described the team’s resilience and determination. Despite facing adversity, including season-ending injuries to key players like Deshaun Watson and Nick Chubb, the Browns currently hold the 5 seed in the AFC playoff picture. Their aspirations extend beyond merely making the playoffs, with an eye on the AFC North division title, the No. 1 overall seed, and a first-round playoff bye.
Running back Kareem Hunt summed up the team’s mindset, stating, “It’s sweet going to the playoffs, but now we’re trying to not just make it to the playoffs—we’re trying to go the whole way.” The Browns’ journey to the postseason has become a testament to the resilience, determination, and unwavering support of their passionate fan base.
