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Search is over; Browns finally have reliable quarterback in Joe Flacco | Jeff Schudel

The Browns have a quarterback, a quarterback they can depend on, one that comes with no drama and no baggage and one that knows how to win.

When, Browns fans, before Joe Flacco arrived, was the last time you left the stadium or turned off the television after a game without worrying about who the starting quarterback would be for the next game? Or if not worrying about who the starter would be, worry about what kind of shenanigans he might pull to be a distraction in the week ahead? Baker Mayfield and Deshaun Watson fall into the latter category.

Maybe recalling when Bernie Kosar was here from 1985-93 is going back too far, but the way Flacco played on Dec. 10 when the Browns outlasted the Jaguars, 31-27, at Cleveland Browns Stadium is what has been missing for 25 mostly turbulent years since the Browns were launched as an expansion team in 1999.

Joe Flacco – from his couch to leading the #Browns playoff charge in less than three weeks. He threw three touchdown passes and passed for 311 yards Sunday when the Browns beat the Jaguars, 31-27. pic.twitter.com/mFNDx7B5oo

— Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) December 10, 2023

Flacco passed for 311 yards and threw three touchdown passes to help the Browns improve to 6-1 at home this season. More importantly, he helped them improve to 8-5 and maintain the fifth seed in the AFC playoff race. Coach Kevin Stefanski In his post-game news conference declared Flacco will be the starter for the final four games and longer if the Browns make the playoffs.

One pass among the 45 Flacco threw stood out more than the other 44.

The Browns faced fourth-and-3 at the Jacksonville 41. Stefanski, not surprisingly, decided to go for it with the Browns clinging to a 21-14 lead with 12:42 to play. The Jaguars blitzed with more pass rushers than the Browns had blockers to hold them off. Flacco sniffed it out like the 16-year veteran he is, found David Bell wide open, and turned it into a 41-yard touchdown pass.

“That was outstanding, an unbelievable play by the quarterback,” Stefanski said. “He’s not hot — he’s hotter than Hades on that play. We did not have that blitz picked up.

“(Flacco) drifted to his right. A great feel by David Bell. An unbelievable play.”

Many players contributed to beating the Jaguars. The defense produced four takeaways — two interceptions by M.J. Emerson, one by Greg Newsome and a fumble recovery by Anthony Walker. Dustin Hopkins drilled a 55-yard field goal on a frigid afternoon (wind chill was 32 degrees) for a 31-21 lead with 3:10 to play. Had he missed, the Jags would have had the ball at the Jacksonville 45 a touchdown away from tying the game.

“I thought (about punting),” Stefanski said. “We have a guy who is now 8-for-8 (beyond 50 yards). You always think about players and think about Dustin coming through for this football team, and that’s what he did.”

But the story of the game is Flacco. He played in the Jets final game of 2022 and was unemployed until the Browns signed him to the practice squad on Nov. 20. He is now 1-1 in two starts with the Browns.

Kevin Stefanski makes it official: Joe Flacco is the #Browns starting quarterback for the rest of the season. Listen to Stefanski describe how Flacco sniffed out Jaguars fourth quarter blitz and turned it into a touchdown pass to David Bell. Browns 31, Jaguars 27. pic.twitter.com/rPuvgqFxtY

— Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) December 10, 2023

Watson suffered a fractured shoulder playing against the Ravens on Nov. 12. Sorry if this seems harsh, but Watson isn’t missed. Contrast that to how much running back Nick Chubb is missed — not just because of the way Chubb plays football, either.

Flacco brings stability to a position that needs stability more than any other. And he’ll only get better over the last four weeks of the season as he gets more familiar with the players and the offense. No one mentions “rust” and “Flacco” in the same sentence unless it’s to say Flacco shows no rust. Rust was an easy crutch for Watson to lean on.

“Other than thinking (Flacco) is Stefanski’s lost brother (both have gray in their beards), the guy looks good,” Myles Garrett said. “He came in with a positive attitude and an aura around him. He wanted to listen and learn and be around the guys.

“He was intrigued to be around us as a team. At this point he still feels like an outsider looking in, but he’s one of us. And as long as he continues the way he’s going, he’s going to stay one of us.”

The victory Dec. 10 was the 100th for Flacco as a starting quarterback. He admitted after the game it was a special moment for him.

The way Flacco played in his first two starts with the Browns, there will be more special moments in the weeks ahead.

BEARS AT BROWNS

When: 1 p.m., Dec. 17

Where: Cleveland Browns Stadium

Records: Bears 5-8, Browns 8-5

TV: WJW; Radio: WKRK-FM 92.3, WNCX-FM 98.5, WKNR-AM 850