Joe Flacco has interesting comment on Browns

Could a scrap-heap Joe Flacco signing conjure a Nick Foles-esque Super Bowl run for the Cleveland Browns?

Joe Flacco has interesting comment on Browns
January 20, 2024
by Dan Benton
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Joe Flacco in a hoodie
Nov 3, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco (5) in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns do not have the reputation of a well-run organization. From 2008 through 2019, they were widely viewed as one of the worst poverty franchises in NFL history. But quarterback Joe Flacco believes things have changed and he’d like to set the record straight.

During a Friday appearance on Pardon My Take, Flacco praised the Browns, their ownership and general manager Andrew Berry.

“I don’t think you ever hear too many, like, ‘oh man, Cleveland is an awesome organization.” And, ‘they’ve done this well and they’ve done that well.’ But I can’t say enough good thing about how that organization is being run right now,” Flacco said, via The Dawgs Podcast. “And the atmosphere in the building and the way guys feel like their future is headed.”

Flacco added that he was open to returning in 2024 but stopped short of fully committing to that end. He recognizes the quarterback market could present him with other opportunities but he wouldn’t be upset if he ended up back on the Browns’ roster.

“Man, Cleveland was unbelievable. I am definitely open to being back in Cleveland,” he said. “I love Cleveland, though. The building, the people. I loved everything about it.

“I think it would be a very special place to be if I have the opportunity to go back there.”

Joe Flacco makes late push for comeback player of the year - NBC Sports

The Browns finished with an 11-6 record this season, punching their playoff ticket for just the second time since 2002. The play of Flacco, who replaced the injured Deshaun Watson, was a major catalyst in that success.

However, things ended abruptly as the Houston Texans manhandled Cleveland on Super Wild Card Weekend, winning by a score of 45-14. Flacco tossed two interceptions in the defeat.

NFL Picks Divisional Playoffs – Will all the home favorites advance?

The DBN staff predicts the Divisional Playoff games.

The Cleveland Browns are out of it, but we still have a jam-packed weekend of NFL Divisional Playoffs ahead of us. Here are my predictions for each game, followed by the rest of the DBN staff’s picks.

Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens – Saturday, 4:30 PM ET

C.J. Stroud and the Texans dismantled the Browns last week. When you combine that with the fact that Baltimore is the team that Cleveland fans least want to root for, I’m sure almost everyone is rooting for a Texans win this week. Baltimore has been able to rest for a few weeks, including their first-round bye last week. Baltimore has been dismantling teams all season, and also easily handled the Texans in Week 1. The Ravens don’t have the same defensive scheme weakness against misdirections that Cleveland did, so I expect them to take care of business. Ravens 31, Texans 23

According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Ravens are 9.5 point favorites against the Texans

Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers – Saturday, 8:15 PM ET

In the night game on Saturday, the other team with the first-round bye (49ers) face off against one of the more impressive teams in the Wildcard round (Packers). Green Bay really has their ground game going, but the 49ers remain my pick for the best team in football aside from a couple weeks they struggled against AFC North teams. They’ll move on here, but the Packers haven’t lost by big margins on the road. 49ers 27, Packers 20

According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the 49ers are 9.5 point favorites against the Packers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Detroit Lions – Sunday, 3:00 PM ET

My God, I didn’t realize how bad the Philadelphia Eagles had been sucking leading into the postseason, and the Buccaneers took full advantage of that. These are the two teams that Browns fans are pulling for the most in the playoffs, so whoever wins will soak up much of that other support. I still cheer for Baker Mayfield, but the Lions are the much better team, and this is the game that could be your blowout of the week. Lions 28, Buccaneers 17

According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Lions are 6.5 point favorites against the Buccaneers.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills – Sunday, 6:30 PM ET

Cleveland Browns Coach Kevin Stefanski Flourishing In His Biggest Challenge Yet

The weekend is capped off by another rematch between the Chiefs and Bills. This time, it’s on Buffalo’s home turf, where fans are once again helping dig the team out of the snow. The Chiefs have been off this year, while Buffalo has been peeking. I think the momentum continues in favor of the Bills. Bills 26, Chiefs 23

According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Bills are 2.5 point favorites against the Chiefs.

Below are our NFL Divisional Round Playoff staff picks:

	Curtiss Brown	Thomas Moore	Jared Mueller	Chris Pokorny	Barry Shuck
HOU BAL 01/20, 10:30PM	BAL	HOU	BAL	BAL	BAL
GB SF 01/21, 2:15AM	SF	SF	SF	SF	SF
TB DET 01/21, 9:00PM	DET	TB	DET	DET	DET
KC BUF 01/22, 12:30AM	BUF	KC	KC	BUF	KC
Week Overall	0-0 164-107	0-0 148-93	0-0 151-119	0-0 173-99	0-0 169-103