The Cleveland Browns qualified for the playoffs of the North American football league NFL after a 37:20 (34:17) home win over the New York Jets.
On Thursday (December 28, 2023, local time), Cleveland’s quarterback Joe Flacco excelled in Cleveland’s eleventh win of the season – against, of all things, his team from last year.
309 yards from Flacco
Flacco threw three touchdown passes and passed for a total of 309 yards. The 38-year-old is the first quarterback in Cleveland team history to throw for at least 300 yards in four consecutive games.
In the first half, Flacco set up Jerome Ford twice, and the Browns started at the 50-yard line for the touchdown to give them a 34:14 lead shortly before halftime.
| NFC | AFC | |
|---|---|---|
| Safe there: | San Francisco 49ers | Baltimore Ravens |
Detroit Lions | Miami Dolphins | |
Philadelphia Eagles | Cleveland Browns | |
Dallas Cowboys | ||
| According to the current status: | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Kansas City Chiefs |
LA Rams | Jacksonville Jaguars | |
Seattle Seahawks | Buffalo Bills | |
Indianapolis Colts | ||
| With opportunities: | Minnesota Vikings | Houston Texans |
Atlanta Falcons | Pittsburgh Steelers | |
Green Bay Packers | Cincinnati Bengals | |
New Orleans Saints | Denver Broncos | |
Chicago Bears | Las Vegas Raiders | |
| Without a chance: | Washington Commander | New York Jets |
Arizona Cardinals | Tennessee Titans | |
Carolina Panthers | Los Angeles Chargers | |
New York Giants | New England Patriots |
Late satisfaction for the quarterback
The New York Jets decided against extending Flacco’s contract before this season – even after star quarterback Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon. Flacco initially remained without a contract before he signed with the Browns a month ago, who responded in this way to the injury to their actual starting quarterback Deshaun Watson.
After beating the Jets, the Browns are safely in the playoffs and still have a chance of winning their division, the ACF North. For the team from Cleveland, it is only the second finals appearance in the NFL since 2002.