The Cleveland Browns are in a position to clinch a playoff spot with a victory over the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football in Week 17. It will be an interesting matchup of two teams who suffered devastating injuries but handled them in vastly different ways.
The Browns and Jets have both started four different players at quarterback this season. New York’s Super Bowl aspirations were dashed very early as Aaron Rodgers was injured on his fourth play from scrimmage.
That led to Zach Wilson taking over as the starter, but he was eventually benched for Tim Boyle. Boyle was ineffective, so the team turned back to Wilson, who was hurt in his second start back in the lineup. That has led to Trevor Siemian being the starter since.
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The Browns had Deshaun Watson as their starter, but he suffered a season-ending injury of his own and missed time throughout the season. P.J. Walker and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson both received chances to start but were replaced for different reasons. Walker was ineffective, while Thompson-Robinson was injured.
That led to Cleveland signing veteran Joe Flacco to take over the offense. Flacco has been excellent in relief, earning the starting job a few weeks ago despite not even having a full-time contract on the 53-man roster.
Thursday will be a revenge game of sorts for Flacco, who spent the previous three seasons with the Jets. The team opted not to bring him back when Rodgers was acquired in a trade from the Green Bay Packers or after his injury. But, Flacco has no ill will toward his former team heading into the matchup on Thursday night.
“I enjoyed my time while I was there, and it is what it is,” said Flacco. “I’m happy to be where I am, that’s for sure.”
The starting quarterback for a team one win away from the postseason does certainly sound nice. Over the last four weeks, Flacco is leading the NFL with 1,037 yards, helping lead the Browns to a 3-1 record over that span.
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He has thrown 10 touchdown passes, looking spry and nothing like many 38-year-olds who are turning 39 in less than three weeks. While making the postseason is a good motivator, going up against a former team doesn’t add more motivation for Flacco, as he sees it as just another game.
“There’s 32 teams in the NFL. They’re just another one,” Flacco said. “I got a lot of guys over there I really respect and had an awesome few years in that locker room. So a lot of respect for those guys.”
Following Thursday night against the Jets, the Browns will head on the road to face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18. Depending on how things shake out in Week 17, that game could have major implications on the AFC playoff picture, especially if Cleveland cannot pull out the victory over New York.
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