Photograph: Ryan Sun/AP
When the NFL season started, Joe Flacco watched it like most of us: from the couch. Unsigned coming into the season, the 38-year-old stayed in shape and threw with his brother just in case an offer came along. But he was mostly shifting his focus toward a coaching career.
Then the Cleveland Browns called after their $230m man Deshaun Watson went down with a season-ending shoulder injury. He started last week and was average, though significantly more productive than the Flacco we saw play for the New York Jets last season. In Sunday’s statement 31-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Flacco was better, certainly above average. Maybe even very good. We’re talking about Flacco here so it’s never going to be a jaw-dropping fireworks show, especially at this point in his career, but boy is he solid. He ended Sunday 26-of-45 for 311 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He was savvy, including getting the coverage to bite on a fake to Kareem Hunt on the opening drive that left tight end David Njoku wide open for the first of his two scores. There were mistakes and a few missed opportunities but mostly Flacco played like an experienced and reliable game manager.
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Now, with the Browns at 8-5 and well positioned to play in the postseason, a reliable game manager under center may be enough. After all, Cleveland’s defense is terrifying, opportunistic, and championship-caliber when healthy.
Jim Schwartz’s group again showed that they are especially potent at home. The score was deceptive, given that 14 of Jacksonville’s points came off Cleveland turnovers. The Browns swarmed Trevor Lawrence, who was somehow playing despite carrying a high ankle sprain. All told, Cleveland pressured Lawrence 26 times, sacked him four times and forced four turnovers. And this was with Myles Garrett still not playing at 100%.
As Garrett returns to full health, the defense should…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/joe-flacco-sat-couch-now-081012151.html
Author : The Guardian
Publish date : 2023-12-11 08:10:12
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