Flacco Torches Former Team on Thursday Night Football, Hands Jets 10th Loss in Lost Season
The seconds ticked away to audible chants of "Flacco" throughout the crowd in Cleveland.
After leading his team to 34 first-half points, Joe Flacco and the Browns (11-5) were salting away a 37-20 postseason-clinching victory over the New York Jets (6-10) on Thursday Night Football. The 38-year-old Flacco victimized his former team to the tune of 309 yards passing and three touchdowns. He posted a 121.2 passer rating.
"I heard them a little bit," said Flacco of the chants. "It’s cool. I mean, just put yourself in that position. It’s all been great and it makes it that much more special to be able to come in here and play some good football.”
Flacco, who spent the past three seasons with the Jets, was signed off the street by the Browns last month. Following a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in his Cleveland debut, he has won four consecutive starts.
After throwing for 296 yards over the first two quarters, Flacco and the offense were relatively quiet in the second half but the damage was already done. The Browns took a 34-14 lead on a 50-yard pass play to running back Jerome Ford with 1:25 left in the second quarter and held at least a 14-point advantage the rest of the way.
"I appreciated the way the guys came out and fought in the second half, but obviously, the first half wasn’t good enough," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh.
The Jets entered the game boasting the NFL's third-ranked defense, holding opponents under 295 yards per outing. The Browns netted 428 yards in the double-digit victory.
Two Jets' first-quarter turnovers — a fumbled kickoff by rookie Israel Abanikanda and pick six out of the hand of Trevor Siemian— did not help their cause. Making his second straight start at quarterback, Siemian finished 32-of-45 passing for 261 yards and one touchdown.
"No, because I gave them one," said Siemian. "Our defense has pretty much carried us all year, so we don’t bat an eye."
The Jets tried to hang around by forcing three turnovers, including two fumbles. Defensive end Jermaine Johnson attempted to turn the tide with a sensational play late in the first half.
Johnson burst into the backfield, tipped a Flacco pass up into the air, snagged the ball and sprinted 37 yards to paydirt. His first career touchdown cut the Jets' deficit to 27-14 with 2:02 remaining in the second quarter, but the Browns got it right back on the ensuing possession. Cleveland went 75 yards on three plays. Ford capped the drive with his second touchdown reception of the night.
"These games are all tough and it doesn’t matter who you’re playing or how much time is left," said Flacco.
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