The Cleveland Browns were forced to start their fourth different quarterback of the 2023 season as Joe Flacco debuted with the team. A long-time rival of the Browns, winning a Super Bowl with the AFC North foe Baltimore Ravens, Flacco wore the brown and orange against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
And many were stunned by how well he played.
Signed to the practice squad two weeks ago, the 38-year-old Flacco went from the couch for most of the season to starting another NFL game in no time. And while he had a back-breaking interception late in the game, Flacco showed he is good enough to win down the stretch for Cleveland.
He finished with 254 yards and two touchdowns in addition to the one interception. He threw the ball all around the field and even contributed to season-highs in receiving yards for wide receiver Elijah Moore and tight end Harrison Bryant.
As Flacco showed he still has gas left in the tank, here is how the national audience reacted to his game against the Rams.
should Flacco or DTR start against the Jaguars?
— Abby Mueller (@abby_mueller_) December 4, 2023
Joe Flacco or DTR are about as good of options you can ask for given the Browns QB situation, you can win next week with either and lose with both. next week is gonna come down to the defense. I see no real reason to get all fired up debating either option
— Quincy Carrier (@Kwen_C) December 4, 2023
If it’s not Flacco I think it’s doing a disservice to the roster, they need QB continuity for longer than a week #Browns https://t.co/qLDYfKYj4Z
— MoreForYouCleveland (@MoreForYou_CLE) December 4, 2023
Remains absolutely staggering the Jets did not replace Aaron Rodgers. Could have had Josh Dobbs by swapping a 7th rounder for a 6th. Could have had Flacco for $100k. Sad, strange, and stupid, even by Jets standards. https://t.co/1FYHqZUNPi
— Danny Heifetz (@Danny_Heifetz) December 4, 2023
Yesterday’s game unraveled at the end, but Joe Flacco is without a doubt the best QB option for Cleveland the rest of the way. He was decisive and made some nice throws. #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/WOqMaLUKka
— Big Mike (@big_mike9169) December 4, 2023
"Moving forward, I don't know how you couldn't play Flacco," – @TheRealTRizzo.
Do you think Flacco should start the rest of the season for the Browns? pic.twitter.com/VX0RleUqxf
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) December 4, 2023
Joe Flacco STILL has the DEEP BALL#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/mQGdm5tVb4
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 4, 2023
Playcalling twitter thinks that football works like Madden. Joe Flacco isn't AI bro, he still has to make the right decision
Shame y'all are even arguing this. Played an otherwise good game
— Viva Las Vegan, Baby Deliverer, group chat villain (@BeLikeMike_06) December 4, 2023
Joe Flacco's play is indisputably an improvement on the Browns QB position.
Still in the playoff race.
Still a season to play for.
Still very much alive. pic.twitter.com/APbTJad3rN— Nick Karns (@karnsies817) December 4, 2023
Just finished the #Browns game … probably the most upset I’ve been all season. Injury to Cooper didn’t help but overall a pretty pathetic effort all around from these players.
Flacco looked great until it mattered most. Defense was absolutely horrible, brutally bad performance.
— 📽+🏈x🌴 (@HawaiiBrownsHui) December 4, 2023
Winning is hard! Browns did not have their franchise QB, franchise RB, franchise Corner, both offensive tackles, and their best WR did not play in 2nd half. Not an excuse, just the reality. They are still in the hunt! Flacco played well. Defense has to adjust. Just keep playing!!
— Lance Reisland (Coach Riz) (@LanceReisland) December 4, 2023
The rare "Previous NFL Stop Shower Narrative" hit yesterday for Elijah Moore.
With old friend Joe Flacco at QB, Elijah saw 12 targets for a 27% share. And led the league in Air Yards. pic.twitter.com/rmhcZKSNUd
— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) December 4, 2023
Flacco has thrown for over 250 and 2 tds the same amount of times as Watson has since he’s been here.
Just saying.— Joe B (@JoeB_inCLE) December 4, 2023
Anyone putting this loss on Flacco should re-watch the game about 11 times.
— Cody Suek (@CodySuek) December 4, 2023
Old man Flacco right now…😂 pic.twitter.com/h8e1iVLZky
— 🟧Manny Maxwell🟧 (@mannymaxwell5) December 4, 2023
Joe Flacco has been getting a lot of hate this week. People saying he isn’t a good QB, should be fired, not a good leader etc. I decided to reach out to Browns players to get their thoughts. I promised not to share any names and I actually got a response. The following is from…
— TheKardiacXid (@TheKardiac_Kid) November 30, 2023
Find someone who looks at you like Joe Flacco looks at Elijah Moore. pic.twitter.com/1UhgT4eyzZ
— Analytics of Dynasty (@McNamaraDynasty) December 4, 2023
#IDontWantToOverreactBUT Joe Flacco looked better than all previous Browns QBs combined this year, but the team’s defensive collapse has fans like me thinking this is gonna turn into “Same ‘ol’ Browns.” @PatMcAfeeShow
— B.J. Lisko (@BJLisko) December 4, 2023
Flacco > Baker
Right?
— Cleveland Fan Stuck in Philly (@0H__I0) December 4, 2023
Joe Flacco a week removed from shuffleboard in the senior community is easily the Browns' best quarterback this season
— Dan Pizzuta (@DanPizzuta) December 3, 2023
Zach Wilson saying no to a starting position after Joe Flacco came in off the couch and threw for 250+ and 2 TDs at age 38 is so poetic
— lindsey ok (@lindseyyok) December 4, 2023
Week 13 WR Fantasy Usage
1. CeeDee Lamb (27.0 exp half PPR)
2. Michael Pittman (21.1)
3. A.J. Brown (20.9)
4. DeAndre Hopkins (19.5)
5. Nico Collins (19.2)
6. DeVonta Smith (15.9)
7. Elijah Moore with Flacco (15.8)
8. Christian Watson (15.0)
9. DK Metcalf (13.6)— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) December 4, 2023
It's week 13 and Joe Flacco is starting in a meaningful football game today 🌞
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) December 3, 2023
They nailed the facial expression. No notes. pic.twitter.com/8eLZW9BFmZ
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) December 3, 2023
