‘Stunned’ Joe Flacco has a priceless reaction to Browns entering the playoffs under his leadership following win over the Jets

Former Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said it's amazing playing for the city of Cleveland and the Browns.

‘Stunned’ Joe Flacco has a priceless reaction to Browns entering the playoffs under his leadership following win over the Jets

Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco after beating the New York Jets December 28 (Screengrab YouTube)

Who would have thought that the city of Cleveland would be singing the praises of Joe Flacco? That same person tormented their favorite football team, the Cleveland Browns, for a long time while playing for their rivals, the Baltimore Ravens.

However, that animosity is in the past because, after three seasons and four quarterbacks later, the 38-year-old has led the Browns to the playoffs. Flacco orchestrated a stunning 37-20 victory over his former employers, the New York Jets. He finished the night with 19 completions from 29 attempted passes for 309 yards, 3 touchdowns, and an interception.

After the game, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo caught up with him and asked how he was feeling after throwing for more than 300 yards in four straight games. Flacco said,

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I am just so fortunate to be on this team. We have a bunch of guys hurt, and we are still a really talented group. Kevin's [Stefanski] calling one heck of a game every week. As a quarterback, you just get the ball to guys. It's all about them winning and getting in the right spot, so that's what it is.

Being a former Baltimore player, it was a challenge for Flacco to win over the folks in Cleveland, and taking the Browns to their first playoffs since 2020 has done wonders. He was happy to receive the acknowledgment of the local fans.

This city's been unbelievable. I can't say enough about it. I mean, you felt it in here tonight. Awesome atmosphere. It's really exciting to kind of get the job done and make sure we get that spot in the playoffs here tonight in front of this crowd.

Joe Flacco has a chance to secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC for the Cleveland Browns

As Joe Flacco pointed out, the Browns are winning games despite missing out on several key players. Star running back Nick Chubb ended his season with a bad injury. Starting quarterback Deshaun Watson shared the same fate as Chubb, along with backups PJ Walker and Dorian Thompson Robinson.

'Stunned' Joe Flacco has a priceless reaction to Browns entering the playoffs under his leadership following win over the Jets
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (Image via CNN)

And yet they are currently 11-5 and have clinched a safe passage to the playoffs while sitting in the 5th spot in the AFC. However, according to NFL insider Ari Meirov, the Browns could even steal the #1 seed in the conference under the Ravens’ noses.

A few criteria need to be met before that can come true. First, the Ravens have to lose their remaining games against the Miami Dolphins (11-4) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7). The Buffalo Bills, who are 6th at 9-6, have to beat the Dolphins, and the Browns need to beat the Cincinnati Bengals (8-7).

There’s still a massive question mark, and it won’t even matter if the Ravens just beat the Dolphins. The Lamar Jackson-led side will take the first seed.

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