After Clinching Playoff Berth, Browns Look Poised For More Than Just An Appearance
The Browns are officially in the playoffs after a 37-20 victory over the Jets, but they appeared to be poised for more come January.
In so many ways, the night was ideal.
A 37-20 victory over the Jets secured the Browns’ postseason berth and drove the Cleveland crowd into a frenzy both inside and outside the stadium. The fan base did not receive that in 2020; instead, they earned a trip to the postseason. Only about 5,000 lucky fans were got to feel the emotion of defeating the Steelers in Week 17.
For this city, Thursday night was 25 years in the making.
The fact that the moment occurred at all is astounding. With an unrecognizable lineup, Cleveland fought and clawed its way to 11-5. More than ten players from the initial 53-man roster, including some crucial starters, are on injured reserve. Nick Chubb and Deshaun Watson were among the team’s top three tacklers.
Both teams spent time without star cornerback Denzel Ward. On Thursday night, the team won games with P.J. Walker at quarterback and others without top wideout Amari Cooper.
You’d be hard pressed to find a team in NFL history that embodied the “next-man-up” adage better than the Browns.
Most teams would have failed due to their quarterback predicament alone. After starting four different quarterbacks during the season, the Browns became the first team in league history to make the playoffs. Joe Flacco, 38, has provided them with some consistency.
He’s had a return straight out of a Hollywood script. Six months ago, he was sitting on his couch watching football and tossing passes to his kids in the backyard to keep prepared. He’s a crucial author in chronicling the story of the 2023 Cleveland Browns after five starts, four wins, 1,616 yards, and 13 touchdowns.
And, like a choose-your-own-adventure book, there’s no predicting where this voyage will take you next.
According to tight end David Njoku, the Browns are “resilient as f—,” a frightening attribute for any prospective postseason opponents that stand in their way. They have a strong belief that they can win regardless of who is fighting for them. They have no fear of any team that stands in their way.
Belief and resilience are tough to quantify in terms of their impact on winning and losing, but this team has demonstrated that they do. It’s undoubtedly Cleveland’s most dangerous weapon heading into the playoffs.
Of course, having a top-ranked defense based on dozens of criteria is advantageous. With that combination, led by Myles Garrett’s unrivaled domination and a ball-hawking secondary, the Browns can confidently go on the road against any team in the playoffs and feel like they have a chance to win.
There’s also the possibility of reinforcements on that side of the ball if safety Grant Delpit returns from injured reserve and depth edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo avoids a season-ending injury.
That won’t be enough in January and February, when quarterback play is more important than ever. The Browns appear to have checked that box as well, with Flacco looking more like he’s in the prime of his career than in the spotlight. A fourth straight 300-yard game is a career high for the 16-year veteran.
Flacco’s comeback, like so many other things this season, is simply inexplicable. It’s standard procedure for this franchise in 2023.
Expect the unexpected when it comes to the Browns. They’re a squad that seems destined for more than a quick postseason appearance, whether they enter as the No. 5 seed or the conference’s top seed – which is still up for grabs.
You play against them at your own risk.
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