The Cleveland Browns are thriving despite adversity at quarterback.
Between Joe Flacco, Deshaun Watson, P.J. Walker and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, the Browns have started four different quarterbacks this season.
Now, this isn’t that uncommon for NFL teams. Two others – the Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets – have also started four quarterbacks this season due to injuries and poor play. But Cleveland is the only one of those three to do it and still succeed on the field.
They’re making history, too: The Browns are the first team in NFL history to win at least 10 games in a season with four different quarterbacks earning at least one win, according to OptaStats. They’re also the first team to make the playoffs after starting four different quarterbacks, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
This is impressive for several reasons, the least of which being Flacco coming off his couch to go 4-1 as a starter. The Browns’ quarterback instability has been, oddly enough, a constant throughout the season after Watson was in and out of the lineup all year and after the team waffled between Walker and Thompson-Robinson at times. Flacco is the only quarterback to start more than three consecutive games this season for Cleveland and is the only one with a 300-yard effort (and he’s done in four consecutive games).
Attribute the quarterbacking success to coaching or offensive line plan or talent, but Kevin Stefanski appears able to take whomever he starts under center and turn him into a winner. The Browns have locked up a playoff berth but still have a shot at the AFC North title if they win their next two games and the Baltimore Ravens lose their next two.
