Fact or fiction: Has this rookie resurrected his career in Cleveland?

| December 18, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

The Browns defeated the Bears, 20-17, after rallying from a 10-point fourth-quarter hole. But there was more going on in the NFL than just the game in Cleveland.

Every week, we’ll go over the top stories and possible narratives from around the NFL.

We’re following in the footsteps of the 1990s show “Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction,” which you might recognize from host Jonathan Frakes’ memes, to help us evaluate these plots and narratives.

Every week, we’ll assess whether several of the league’s top topics are true or false, just like Frakes. Here are this week’s top six storylines.

1. The Browns have resurrected Joe Flacco’s career

Verdict: Fact.

Through three quarters of Sunday’s game vs. the Bears, the magic of Joe Flacco appeared to have run dry. He threw three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown, and one helped set up another TD.

But in the fourth quarter, Flacco came alive, leading the Browns on three scoring drives. His 51-yard TD pass in a tight window to Amari Cooper tied the game at 17, and then he led a drive to set up Dustin Hopkins for the eventual game-winning field goal from 33 yards out.

Flacco threw for 374 yards, 212 of which came in the fourth quarter alone.
The Browns couldn’t have asked for more from their fourth different starting quarterback than what Flacco has given them. At 38, Flacco, who wasn’t even on a team until the Browns signed him to the practice squad on Nov. 20, may be getting one last kick in his career.
Lamar Jackson’s emergence in Baltimore pushed Flacco off the roster, and he spent a year with the Broncos and three with the Jets. It would have been easy to think Flacco’s career to be over after he wasn’t on a roster for most of this season.
But Flacco didn’t agree with those thoughts. Instead, he’s rediscovered what made him special in Baltimore and made him a Super Bowl MVP.
There are still some limitations to his game. He’s a true pocket passer in a game that is best suited to dual-threat QBs. He’s also prone to interceptions, including the one to Tyrique Stevenson at the goal line on a throw intended for David Njoku.
But in the last two weeks, Flacco has been at his best in the moments where the Browns have needed it. Whatever happens the rest of the way, Flacco’s play in these three starts with the Browns have earned him one last shot in the NFL in 2024.
If he’s indeed on another team next season, in an ironic twist of fate, he’ll have an old rival that he tormented earlier in his career to thank for it.

2. The unrelenting surge of injuries isn’t enough to stop the Browns

Verdict: Fiction.

Even with the victory over the Bears, the injuries continue to pile up. The most notable player to leave the game was left guard Joel Bitonio.

He was injured in the first quarter and was ruled out at halftime.

Consider the names the Browns have lost this season. All things considered, the fact that they work 9-5 is almost astounding.

On Sunday, their injuries nearly caught up with them, as they needed Flacco’s brilliance and a lucky bounce off Bears receiver Darnell Mooney to escape with the win.

With 80% of their starting offensive line sidelined, the Browns struggled to protect Flacco. They also lacked a Week 1 starting safety and any sort of a running offense.

Realistically, the Browns might only need one win to get into the playoffs. Two all but guarantees them a postseason spot.

But at some point, you just run out of replaceable bodies. That very nearly happened on Sunday before Flacco saved the day.
That moment could be coming for the Browns, and it’s more likely than not to happen in the playoffs. For this team to overcome everything it’s overcome and still make the playoffs, that in and of itself is a major success.
But even with Flacco and considering the AFC doesn’t have a true juggernaut as I’ll address later, they just don’t quite have the bodies to realistically believe they can go on a Cinderella run to the Super Bowl.
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