Ian Rapaport, "Joe Flacco Expected to Start for the Browns"

Cleveland has its starter for week 14 and it is Joe Flacco. Flacco will be making his first home appearance for the Cleveland Browns in one of their biggest games of the season

Browns' head coach Kevin Stefanski was just playing the game earlier this week when he was reluctant to name a starter for Sunday's game. 

I'm sure that everyone was confident that Joe Flacco would be under center for the Browns but because he didn't have to say it, why would he? Sunday morning, NFL Insider Ian Rapaport reported that Flacco will be under center for Cleveland.

In here:
-- Joe Flacco expected to start for the #Browns.
-- Derek Carr will play with a rib cartilage fracture.
-- Trevor Lawrence will likely start, pending AM evaluation.
-- Drew Lock prepared to start, but Geno Smith hasn't been ruled out yet. https://t.co/TV6nv4wcck

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 10, 2023

Flacco had moments last Sunday that showed Browns fans that he could still play. He plays the game differently than what we are used to seeing with Deshaun Watson and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. 

Since he does have limited mobility, he is quick to make decisions with the football. Outside of one really bad decision that cost Cleveland the game, he was really impressive in his debut and showed that he is exactly what this Cleveland team needs.

Flacco is a ridiculous nine-and-two as a visitor to Cleveland Browns Stadium. To say he will feel right at home on Sunday would be an understatement. He has thrown 15 touchdowns to just six interceptions on 225 yards per game. Truthfully, a 200-yard, one or two-touchdown game is exactly what the Browns need to take down the Jaguars on Sunday.

The emphasis on Sunday is keeping Flacco upright. While we trust that he will protect the ball in the air, keeping his jersey clean is priority number one, especially against one of the league's best pass rushers, Josh Allen. Allen is near the top of the NFL with 13.5 sacks and it will be up to the Browns collectively to make sure he cannot wreck the game.

On Wednesday, Joe Flacco was asked what it is like playing at Cleveland Browns Stadium. He said the stadium and the environment "just feels like football." For Browns fans, watching Joe Flacco win at Cleveland Browns Stadium also "just feels like football."

Flacco should feel right at home at Browns Stadium except this time, he is playing for the good guys.