Joe Flacco created quite a stir among Cleveland Browns fans during Thursday night’s game against the New York Jets, as a video clip surfaced showing the 38-year-old quarterback seemingly dozing off on the sidelines. The viral moment depicted Flacco tilting his head down and closing his eyes in the second half, prompting humorous remarks from observers.
Former Browns quarterback turned analyst Robert Griffin III jokingly suggested, “The Jets were sleeping on Joe Flacco, so he decided to return the favor.” Flacco addressed the viral clip after the game when questioned by Ryan Fitzpatrick, playfully attributing his brief nap to finding the Browns’ offense a bit unexciting. He quipped, “I guess our offense was boring me a little bit. We weren’t doing a good enough job.”
Contrary to the lighthearted comment, the Browns’ offense had a standout performance against the Jets, accumulating 428 yards of total offense, primarily driven by Flacco’s efforts. He became the first Browns quarterback to achieve over 300 passing yards in four consecutive games, concluding the matchup with 309 yards and three touchdowns against his former team.
The victory propelled the Browns to an 11-5 record, securing a spot in the playoffs. Throughout the evening, Flacco was greeted with chants of his name, an unexpected turn of events for a player who, just a month earlier, was waiting for an opportunity while sitting on his couch.
Expressing gratitude for the support, Flacco stated, “I said it from the very beginning—the city has been unbelievable. My teammates have been unbelievable in terms of just embracing me on this football team. It’s all been great. And it makes it that much more special to be able to come in here and play some good football.”
Despite injuries affecting the Browns’ offense, Flacco has rejuvenated the unit since taking charge. In the absence of top weapon Amari Cooper, who was sidelined with a heel injury, other players stepped up, with notable performances from David Njoku and Elijah Moore. Running back Jerome Ford also made an impact as a receiver, including a spectacular 50-yard touchdown in the first half.
Flacco acknowledged the challenges posed by Cooper’s absence, praising his teammates for being prepared to step in and contribute. Looking ahead, the Browns, now playoff-bound, are set to conclude their regular season against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 7. Despite the playoff berth, players like Njoku emphasize that there is more work to be done, emphasizing the team’s focus on the upcoming challenges.
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