Flacco fever is alive and well!
The Cleveland Browns hosted the New York Jets in what was the last home game of the season for the Browns. If the Browns won this game, they would have clinched a playoff spot. Luckily for Browns fans, they did win. Final score of 37-20: Cleveland win!
Joe Flacco has been somewhat of a Cinderella story. From out of the league, watching games with his parents to starting for a playoff team, making history with Amari Cooper, and slinging touchdowns left and right, He appears to be having fun out there and seems revitalized. Flacco is running the offense with command, and it has been fun to watch. He started off on fire. He connected with David Njoku, his favorite target so far, for over 100 yards in the first quarter alone. Joe found guys that didn’t appear to be open and simply made them open with elite throws. He finished with a stat line of 19/29, 309 yards, 3 TDs, and 1 interception.
The Browns receiving core needed to step up without Amari Cooper. Luckily, they did. Elijah Moore hauled in five passes for 61 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game with what was presumedly a concussion. David Njoku made big play after big play, bringing in six catches for 134 yards. Jerome Ford caught 2 passes for 57 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The run game was picking up steam as well, and it’s about time. Jerome Ford looked efficient for the most part, with 12 rushes for 64 yards. Kareem Hunt managed 35 rushing yards but picked up a tough touchdown for Cleveland.
The Browns defense showed yet again why it’s considered the league’s best unit by many. Constant pressure all night long: Ronnie Hickman nabbed himself a pick-6, and Myles Garrett got to the quarterback. On special teams, the Browns blocked a field goal. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah laid one of the biggest hits of the season and was a menace for the Jets offense all night.
All stats provided courtesy of NFL.com
John Zimmerman