11 months, 3 weeks ago

Joe Flacco’s revival in Cleveland has the Browns on the verge of clinching a playoff spot

BEREA, Ohio — When they signed Joe Flacco in near desperation last month, the Browns hoped the veteran quarterback could keep them in the playoff mix. He’s really steadied the ship and we’ve been thankful to have him.” Deshaun Watson returned to the Browns’ facility on Tuesday for the first time since undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. As fate would have it, he can help the Browns clinch a playoff berth with a win Thursday night over the New York Jets — the team Flacco played for last season. Hopkins’ injury led to the Browns signing Riley Patterson, recently released by Detroit.. P Corey Bojorquez is also dealing with a leg injury and could miss time.

Season Nfl Jets Flacco Cooper Browns Cleveland Stefanski playoff jets yards week joe spot flacco cleveland win browns quarterback flaccos verge season revival clinching really hes

History of this topic

2 weeks, 4 days ago

AFC North-leading Steelers eye revenge against the Browns after upset loss in snow last month

Associated Press

Cleveland at Pittsburgh Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, CBS BetMGM NFL Odds: Steelers by 6 1/2. Afterward, Newsome called the fiery Pickens “a fake tough guy.” Key injuries Browns: WR Cedric Tillman has been out since being hurt on a hard hit in the third quarter against the Steelers last month. Stats and stuff Their playoff hopes long over, the Browns …

2 weeks, 6 days ago

Browns get 497-yard performance from QB Jameis Winston and lose anyway in season long gone sour

Associated Press

CLEVELAND — Only the Cleveland Browns. Winston spoiled a high-level performance in Denver’s thin air by throwing a pair of pick-sixes — the second with 1:48 remaining — as the Broncos rode big plays to a 41-32 win over the Browns, who have to wonder what their disappointing season might look like if Deshaun Watson had been benched before getting …

1 month ago

Browns’ season sinks deeper wilth questions about the team’s effort and a possible shakeup

Associated Press

CLEVELAND — As owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam postured and politicked the past few months to find funding to help them get a new, domed, multipurpose stadium built in Cleveland’s suburbs, their football team collapsed. In the ugly aftermath of losing to a three-win team, the Browns are dealing with questions about player effort, and there’s growing speculation massive changes …

1 month, 3 weeks ago

Browns' Decision on Watson: Eye-Opening Test for the Offense

Associated Press

Browns' decision on Watson is difficult due to circumstances but obvious to the eye test. The blockbuster trade for Watson in 2022 is among the worst in NFL history. Giving him an unprecedented, fully guaranteed $230 million, five-year contract was even worse. With Watson, the Browns are 9-10. Without him, coach Kevin Stefanski is 30-26 overall and twice has been …

1 month, 3 weeks ago

Browns' Winston Stepping Up, Lifting Spirits in Emotional Comeback Against Ravens

Associated Press

QB Jameis Winston's impressive debut gives the Cleveland Browns hope for a turnaround season. Winston threw three touchdown passes and for 334 yards, showcasing his potential to lead the team to success. His performance has fans believing that he can be the answer to Cleveland's QB woes. Despite some missed opportunities, Winston's presence brings light and excitement to a team …

Ravens vs. Browns: Jackson's Domination, Watson's Absence Highlight Battle in AFC North

Trending News

1 month, 4 weeks ago

Ravens vs. Browns: Jackson's Domination, Watson's Absence Highlight Battle in AFC North

Associated Press

The Ravens and Browns meet again in a clash of contrasting styles. Lamar Jackson shines for the Ravens, while Deshaun Watson's absence creates a significant challenge for the Browns. The game will be a test of offense against defense, with both teams vying for the division title. Jackson's dual-threat ability and Henry's explosive running will be a major factor in …

2 months ago

Browns Sign Bailey Zappe to Replace Deshaun Watson on Practice Squad

Associated Press

The Cleveland Browns are signing QB Bailey Zappe from Kansas City's practice squad to provide some protection behind their starting quarterback, Deshaun Watson. Zappe has started eight games for the Chiefs over the past two seasons and gives the Browns some much-needed stability at the quarterback position.

2 months, 1 week ago

Deshaun Watson and a Browns escape plan (once they finally admit it’s over): Sando’s Pick Six

New York Times

Before we sort through end-of-season Deshaun Watson exit strategies for the Cleveland Browns, let’s make one thing clear: Watson remains the starting quarterback. Watson’s EPA per pass play ranks 590th out of 592 quarterbacks who started the first six games of a season since 2000, per TruMedia. GO DEEPER Chargers' Jim Harbaugh returns to sideline vs. Broncos after early exit …

2 months, 2 weeks ago

Jayden Daniels shines again as Commanders beat floundering Browns: Key takeaways

New York Times

NFL Week 5 live updates: Latest scores, highlights, analysis, observations and more By Ben Standig, Zac Jackson and Cale Clinton Sunday was a tale of two quarterbacks as the Washington Commanders dominated the Cleveland Browns 34-13. Sign Up Daniels passes the eye test Daniels’ final numbers were rather ordinary — he finished 14-of-25 passing for 238 yards with one TD …

2 months, 2 weeks ago

Browns need a QB change to salvage what’s left of their season

New York Times

— It’s the first week of October and the Browns’ season has ended before the Guardians season. It feels like it’s already over, long before the leaves change, before the bye week, before a pumpkin is carved, before the NBA season begins and before the Guardians’ baseball fate has been determined. Rookie Zak Zinter might eventually be a very good …

2 months, 2 weeks ago

Browns vs. Commanders: A Crucial Showdown in the NFC North

Associated Press

The Cleveland Browns travel to Washington to face the Commanders in a matchup of teams with opposite seasons going in opposite directions. The Browns are coming off a two-game losing streak, while the Commanders are just 5-17-1 at home against Cleveland. The key matchup is the Commanders pass rush vs. the Browns offensive line and Deshaun Watson. The Browns have …

2 months, 3 weeks ago

Deshaun Watson says he deserves blame after Browns drop to 1-3

Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — For the second straight week, the Cleveland Browns had multiple opportunities in the fourth quarter to rally for a win, but fell short. Quarterback Deshaun Watson said to put the blame on him after Cleveland blew an early 10-0 lead and lost 20-16 to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. “If I’m gonna be the quarterback of …

3 months, 1 week ago

Browns and Jaguars looking to rebound from Week 1 debacles and offensive woes

Associated Press

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Cleveland and Jacksonville would love a Week 1 do-over. “You fix the mistakes,” said Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who didn’t play in the preseason. “We don’t like having this feeling of having to bounce back,” Jaguars tight end Evan Engram said. That’s kind of our motto: we’re going to respond to it and we’re going to attack …

3 months, 2 weeks ago

Deshaun Watson has rough return in first game since surgery as Browns thumped 33-17 by Cowboys

Associated Press

CLEVELAND — Lying face down in the grass, Deshaun Watson couldn’t see another of his passes sail out of bounds. Watson didn’t look comfortable from the start in his first game since breaking a bone in his right shoulder in November as the Cleveland Browns were blasted 33-17 in their season opener by the Dallas Cowboys. Watson spent much of …

3 months, 3 weeks ago

Browns release QB Tyler Huntley, leaving them with 3. Deshaun Watson’s contract reworked for 2024

Associated Press

BEREA, Ohio — The Browns threw away one of their quarterbacks. Cleveland released quarterback Tyler Huntley on Thursday, leaving them with three QBs heading into the season after they were forced to start five in 2023 amid a rash of injuries at the position. Huntley threw three touchdown passes last week in Cleveland’s exhibition finale. The Browns will head into …

3 months, 3 weeks ago

Browns counting on Deshaun Watson’s return from shoulder surgery to build on playoff berth in 2023

Associated Press

CLEVELAND BROWNS EXPECTATIONS: Riding the NFL’s top-ranked defense, the Browns made the playoffs last season despite a rash of injuries at quarterback only to get blown out by Houston 45-14 in the wild-card round. Their chances to go further could hinge on QB Deshaun Watson’s health after he was limited to just six starts before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. NEW …

4 months ago

Browns enter make-or-break 3rd season with QB Deshaun Watson following suspension, shoulder injury

Associated Press

CLEVELAND — Deshaun Watson was supposed to be the one, the missing piece to return Cleveland’s forlorn franchise to fame. On the eve of a make-or-break third season in Cleveland, there are lingering questions and even some doubts about whether Watson, who has only played 12 games in the past four years due to an NFL suspension in 2022 and …

4 months, 1 week ago

Browns QB Deshaun Watson cleared for contact, but will sit out 2nd straight preseason game

Associated Press

CLEVELAND — Browns starting quarterback Deshaun Watson has been cleared for contact to his surgically repaired shoulder, but he’ll sit out his second straight preseason game when Cleveland hosts Minnesota this week. Watson spent Saturday night’s preseason opener against Green Bay on the sideline as the Browns were beaten 23-10 by the Packers. However, on a Zoom call Sunday, coach …

6 months, 1 week ago

On edge: Browns star Myles Garrett unsatisfied by personal success, driven to take team to NFL title

Associated Press

BEREA, Ohio — The chase hasn’t ended for Myles Garrett, only intensified. “It’ll never be enough.” As he approaches his eighth season in Cleveland and coming on the heels of reaching a personal goal by being voted AP Defensive Player of the Year, the dominant Garrett said Wednesday he has a clear vision of what he wants next. “That’s where …

11 months ago

Browns GM says he would ‘absolutely love’ to re-sign Flacco, even as Watson’s backup

Associated Press

BEREA, Ohio — Joe Flacco’s short, surprising stint with the Browns could lead to a second season in Cleveland — maybe as Deshaun Watson’s backup. General manager Andrew Berry said Monday that he would “absolutely love” to re-sign the 39-year-old Flacco, who went 4-1 as a starter and helped the Browns make the playoffs after Watson suffered a season-ending shoulder …

11 months, 1 week ago

Mayfield throws for 337 yards and 3 TDs to lead Buccaneers to 32-9 NFC wild-card rout of Eagles

Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. — All Baker Mayfield and the resurgent Tampa Bay Buccaneers wanted was an opportunity to make some noise in the playoffs. Their 32-9 wild-card playoff victory over Jalen Hurts and the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night guaranteed they’ll have another. Mayfield threw for 337 yards and three touchdowns, and Tampa Bay’s defense never allowed Hurts …

11 months, 1 week ago

Browns’ surprise season crashes in playoffs, but team convinced future bright with healthy QB Watson

Associated Press

CLEVELAND — With a wild-card blowout win secured, Houston’s rowdy crowd let loose, serenading rookie quarterback C.J. On Saturday, the team’s inspiring run to the AFC playoffs despite losing Watson with a fractured shoulder in November, plugging holes all season because of numerous injuries to key players and rolling behind 38-year-old QB Joe Flacco over the final month, ended with …

11 months, 1 week ago

Joe Flacco’s incredible run in Cleveland ends as two pick-6’s doom Browns in playoff loss to Texans

Associated Press

HOUSTON — From the couch to the playoffs, Joe Flacco had an incredible run with the Cleveland Browns. “It’s definitely a shame the way it went down and hard to deal with at the moment,” Flacco said. To be given a chance to do this with those guys, I’m super grateful for it.” He finished with 307 yards and had …

11 months, 1 week ago

Joe Flacco’s remarkable comeback has Cleveland buzzing and Browns believing Super Bowl is possible

Associated Press

CLEVELAND — Joe Flacco still struggles to process this re-found fame, an unexpected rebirth in a city where he was once despised and now adored. “I’m awful at that,” Flacco said with a laugh. One of the local sports talk stations is playing a parody song to the Bee Gees’ “Night Fever” that honors the QB’s exploits since he got …

11 months, 1 week ago

Breaking down and predicting six NFL wild-card playoff games

LA Times

Browns receiver Amari Cooper burned the Texans defense for 265 yards receiving and two touchdowns on Christmas Eve. How the Browns can win: Get some chunk plays from quarterback Joe Flacco, who has thrown for 300 yards in a club-record four consecutive games. Win the battle between defensive end Myles Garrett and Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil, two of the …

11 months, 1 week ago

QB Joe Flacco’s road success in playoffs gives Browns boost as they visit Texans in AFC wild card

Associated Press

BEREA, Ohio — Joe Flacco knows the ins and outs, the perils and pitfalls of the road in the NFL playoffs as well as anyone. As Cleveland’s quarterback and his new-ish teammates prepare for Saturday’s AFC wild-card game in Houston, Flacco’s experience — and success — on the road in the postseason is giving the Browns an extra boost of …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Joe Flacco, other Browns starters to sit finale against Bengals to rest for playoffs; Driskel at QB

Associated Press

BEREA, Ohio — Joe Flacco is ending the season where he started it — off to the side. Coach Kevin Stefanski said the Browns have “earned the opportunity” to sit players after clinching a wild-card berth last week with a win over the New York Jets and the No. We’ll worry about next week next week.” Stefanski wasn’t specific about …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Joe Flacco’s improbable story could get even juicier as he leads Browns in playoffs

New York Times

The Cleveland Browns are headed to the playoffs. None of us know how the fascinating and wildly improbable story of Flacco elevating the Browns and pushing them to the playoffs is going to end, but he’s been good enough to make all of us believe it won’t necessarily end right away once the postseason begins. Nothing about any of this …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

QB Joe Flacco’s improbable comeback with Cleveland has Browns in playoffs, eyeing bigger wins

Associated Press

CLEVELAND — In a surreal moment seemingly clipped from a Disney movie, Joe Flacco stood on the field and posed for a family photo with his wife, Dana, and their five children as delirious Browns fans serenaded them with chants of “M-V-P, M-V-P.” Welcome to Cleveland. Another chapter was added to the NFL’s most improbable story of 2023 Thursday night …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

Joe Flacco throws 3 TD passes and Browns clinch unlikely spot in playoffs with 37-20 win over Jets

Associated Press

CLEVELAND — Joe Flacco has turned a seemingly cursed season into a charmed one. Cleveland’s quarterback for just over a month, Flacco passed for 309 yards and three touchdowns and the Browns clinched an unlikely playoff berth — just their second since 2002 — despite numerous injuries this season with a 37-20 win over the New York Jets on Thursday …

1 year ago

Browns QB Deshaun Watson says right shoulder rehab on track following season-ending surgery

Associated Press

CLEVELAND — Deshaun Watson’s season ended last month. “But I’m very supportive, and the guys got to keep rolling because they’re on fire right now.” Watson got hurt in the first half of a Nov. 12 game at Baltimore. Until then, I’m just going to follow every rules and every precaution they want me to follow.” After the surgery, Watson …

1 year ago

Browns top Bears behind late surge by Joe Flacco, inch closer to securing playoff spot

New York Times

CLEVELAND — The new guys, the old guys, the highly-paid guys and the guys off the practice squad keep delivering. Neither offense could do much, the Chicago Bears’ defense was playing the bully role and there were plenty of reasons to believe the limping Browns might just have to look toward another day. And Amari Cooper got free along the …

1 year ago

Joe Flacco has found comfort in leading a Browns team he’s learning on the fly

New York Times

The Cleveland Browns have a starting quarterback for the rest of the season. After he threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday’s win over a Jacksonville Jaguars team Cleveland could see again in the playoffs, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski conceded that Flacco would be the starter. “I appreciate you guys having me.” “It had gotten to the point …

1 year ago

Joe Flacco throws 3 TD passes, Browns pick Trevor Lawrence 3 times in 31-27 win vs Jags

Associated Press

CLEVELAND — When Joe Flacco arrived three weeks ago, Browns star Myles Garrett had his suspicions about what the 38-year-old quarterback had left. “And as long as he continues what he’s doing, he’s going to stay one of us.” Flacco passed for 311 yards and three touchdowns — two to tight end David Njoku — in his home debut for …

1 year ago

Browns refuse to falter thanks to combo of culture, Joe Flacco and Myles Garrett’s words

New York Times

CLEVELAND — The brilliant, totally accurate punchline my colleague Zac Jackson created years ago to describe the Cleveland Browns’ annual goat rodeo was, “December in Berea.” Typically by December, everyone knew they were getting fired, real estate agents had been called, the locker room was in disarray and January beach vacations already had confirmation numbers. Sometimes December arrived in October, …

1 year ago

NFL Week 14 takeaways: Bills playoff bound? How far can Joe Flacco take the Browns?

New York Times

Cover 7 | Sunday A daily NFL destination that provides in-depth analysis of football’s biggest stories. GO DEEPER Joe Flacco's renaissance pushes Browns to win over Jaguars Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens survived the Los Angeles Rams in overtime to take the lead in the race for the AFC’s top seed, a half-game ahead of the Miami Dolphins, who play the …

1 year ago

Joe Flacco proves to be Browns’ best option at QB, even in losing effort to Rams

New York Times

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — One bad throw turned into an interception that went a long way toward sinking the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Mostly, he played with the poise and presence you’d expect — stuff the Browns needed — from a 16-year veteran, and it was immediately clear that Flacco had both kept himself ready for this opportunity and done what …

1 year ago

Browns to start Joe Flacco vs. Rams after veteran QB gets crash course in Cleveland offense

New York Times

LOS ANGELES — The expected was made official Friday, as Joe Flacco will become Cleveland’s fourth starting quarterback of the season Sunday when the Browns play at the Los Angeles Rams. So, 13 days after joining the Browns, Flacco will be elevated from the practice squad to start for the first time since he started for the New York Jets …

1 year ago

Browns to start Joe Flacco at QB if Dorian Thompson-Robinson doesn’t clear concussion protocol

New York Times

With Dorian Thompson-Robinson in concussion protocol, the Cleveland Browns are preparing to start Joe Flacco at quarterback Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams if the rookie is unable to play, coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday. Why Flacco could start Stefanski called Flacco “the backup this week” ahead of the team’s first practice at UCLA. Flacco, 38, just joined the Browns …

1 year ago

Could Joe Flacco be next in line to start at quarterback for the Browns?

New York Times

We didn’t get an answer from Kevin Stefanski Monday on the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback plans for the week, which was fully expected. Walker didn’t join the Browns via the practice squad until the week of the season opener, and he ran scout team until the bye week. In Flacco’s first start that season the following week, Moore had eight receptions …

1 year, 1 month ago

Browns QB Deshaun Watson has shoulder surgery. Team expects full recovery before start of ’24 season

Associated Press

CLEVELAND — Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson had surgery Tuesday in Los Angeles to repair a fracture in his right shoulder, an injury that ended his second season in Cleveland after just nine games. The Browns said shoulder specialist Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed the surgery to fix the displaced fracture of Watson’s right glenoid. The 28-year-old will begin rehab later this …

1 year, 1 month ago

Browns signing veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to practice squad, AP source says

Associated Press

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns are signing former Super Bowl MVP quarterback Joe Flacco to their practice squad, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Sunday night. The addition of Flacco bolsters Cleveland’s quarterback depth after Deshaun Watson was lost for the season with a shoulder fracture. Thompson-Robinson had an uneven performance, but the fifth-round draft …

1 year, 1 month ago

Rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson rallies Browns to a last-second 13-10 win over Steelers

Associated Press

CLEVELAND — As Dorian Thompson-Robinson sat in the back of a golf cart swiping through text messages overwhelming his phone, wide receiver Elijah Moore slid in to an empty seat behind Cleveland’s rookie quarterback. Delivering on a promise to improve in his second NFL start, Thompson-Robinson completed four straight passes on a clutch drive to set up Dustin Hopkins’ 34-yard …

1 year, 1 month ago

Browns again display grittiness in comeback win over Ravens: ‘They’re about that fight’

New York Times

The Athletic has live coverage of Browns vs Steelers in NFL Week 11 action. On Ford’s 12-yard run in the final 90 seconds, nearly the entire Browns offense ended up in a pile helping push Ford from the edge of Hopkins’ field goal range to the Ravens’ 27 to set up one kick to win it. After putting the ball …

1 year, 1 month ago

Watson rallies Browns from 14 down in 4th to 33-31 win over Ravens, tightening AFC North

Associated Press

BALTIMORE — The Cleveland Browns have received a lot of ridicule for the massive contract they gave Deshaun Watson last year. Watson completed every pass he threw after halftime, and Cleveland made all the important plays down the stretch, rallying from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Ravens 33-31 on Sunday. “That’s something that would have been very valuable …

1 year, 1 month ago

What we learned in NFL Week 9: Ravens team to beat, Dobbs’ big day; was McDaniels the problem?

New York Times

Debate among yourselves if you buy the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions as true Super Bowl contenders, but they each sat at 5-2 and atop their respective divisions when they arrived in Baltimore — Detroit in Week 7; Seattle in Week 9. GO DEEPER Browns control the tempo with stout defense in shutout win over Cardinals More of what we …

1 year, 1 month ago

Deshaun Watson throws 2 TD passes in return from shoulder injury, Browns demolish Cardinals 27-0

Associated Press

CLEVELAND — Deshaun Watson reared back and in one motion signaled his return. After waiting weeks for Watson’s right shoulder to get stronger, Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper knew in an instant that Cleveland’s quarterback was back. “If he wasn’t feeling good, he wouldn’t have thrown the ball deep,” said Cooper, who hauled in Watson’s pass in the first quarter …

1 year, 2 months ago

Seven Browns thoughts: Jim Schwartz’s stout defense, P.J. Walker’s roster status and more

New York Times

Some final thoughts, numbers and observations from the Cleveland Browns’ 19-17 upset of the San Francisco 49ers. The Browns are the league’s best defense by more than 60 yards per game, and they’re 100-plus yards per game better than all but eight teams. Denzel Ward vs. the 49ers: 29 coverage snaps 5 targets 1 catch, 8 yards allowed 39.6 passer …

1 year, 2 months ago

Browns stun 49ers 19-17, hand San Francisco its first loss and QB Brock Purdy his first as starter

Associated Press

CLEVELAND — From dominant to defeated — in less than a week. Brock Purdy suffered his first loss as a starter and the Niners had their regular-season winning streak stopped at 15 when rookie kicker Jake Moody missed a 41-yard field goal with six seconds remaining, giving the Cleveland Browns an unexpected 19-17 win on Sunday. We haven’t lost in …

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