It’s The Perfect Time For The Flacco-Moore Revenge Game
Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns have a chance to clinch a playoff berth Thursday night against the New York Jets after what had looked to be a throwaway season riddled with injuries. Cleveland has the momentum going into primetime. Their last game against the Houston Texans was nothing short of a beat down, in part thanks to Amari Cooper’s historical 265-yard game.
In Week 16, the Jets held off a would-be miraculous comeback against the Washington Commanders, kicking a game winner with seconds remaining. The Jets snuck by with a great team win but will have their work cut out for them against Cleveland’s No. 1 defense. As the Browns prepare to make it to the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season, here’s what to look for during the game.
Flacco Must Keep the Ball Safe
Since starting for the Browns, Flacco has played lights out. Leading the league in yards and touchdowns is unheard of for someone who was sitting on his couch a month ago. What goes along with these amazing stats are some not so great ones: namely, Flacco’s interceptions. In four games, the Browns’ QB has thrown seven of them.
The only way the Jets steal this game is if they win the turnover battle by a large margin, which is entirely possible if Flacco does not keep the ball safe. Turnovers have been an issue all season for the Browns, and if they want to become a deep post-season threat, they need to get it all together. There’s no better time to start than against the Jets, who rank No. 28 in turnover differential at minus-eight.
Moore-Flacco Revenge Game
It’s crazy to think that this is even a story line, but it is. Joe Flacco, the Browns’ former rival, will be playing a revenge game against his other former team, the New York Jets. What shouldn’t be overlooked however is the other former Jet looking to stake his claim: Elijah Moore. Over the past handful of weeks, we have seen Cooper and David Njoku have huge games thanks to Flacco, so it’s about time we saw that same magic with Moore.
Moore hasn’t had the big breakout season many fans had hoped for, racking up just 579 yards along with one lone touchdown. The former Jet will know his defense better than any pass catcher on the Browns, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise if Moore has a 100-plus-yard game. Moore’s insider knowledge, coupled with the Jets likely double-covering Cooper, could give the WR2 a tremendous chance to shine.
Garrett Vs. A Broken O-Line
Sacks aren’t everything when it comes to defensive ends, but they sure look pretty. Myles Garrett hasn’t recorded one in five weeks. Despite that, Garrett has played outstandingly throughout those games and is due for a multi-sack game. It could very likely be Thursday night against a Jets O-line that is playing nothing short of abysmal.
The Jets are ranked No. 31, just behind the New York Giants, in sacks allowed this season with 61. Their line has dealt with a slew of injuries through the season, so Garrett, along with the entire D-Line, will get to feast on backup QB Trevor Siemian. If the former Aggie plays an outstanding game, not only will the Browns waltz to a victory — in prime time, no less — Garrett may just seal his first DPOY award.
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