As Joe Flacco prepares to start his first game for the Cleveland Browns, he has one advocate from Baltimore in his corner. 

Former Baltimore teammate and Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed is bullish on Flacco's first start with his former AFC North foe in the Browns' matchup with the LA Rams. 

"It's not like he's going to the Steelers, man!" Reed said. "He's somewhere that actually has a connection to Baltimore. But I'm all for it. It might be a Cinderella thing — it might be awesome — if Joe can get them to the playoffs.

"He's won a Super Bowl, and not many quarterbacks can say they won a Super Bowl. He played his a– off during those whole playoffs."

Flacco was thrust into the starting role after rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson suffered a concussion and was ruled out on Friday. 

It was the exact situation the Browns signed Flacco to safeguard against. Already down starter Deshaun Watson, the veteran quarterback and one-time Super Bowl MVP, was always the emergency option. 

Now, Flacco has to live up to the expectation. 

The good thing is Reed isn't worried about Flacco's abilities as a starter.

"Joe wasn't even retired," Reed said. "Joe's just in his 30s, and he played QB. I think once he gets his feet under him, he'll be fine."

As for Flacco, he also isn't worried about his ability to lead the Browns to the playoffs. He's been a playoff quarterback before, he thinks he can do it again. 

"You just try to let these opportunities take care of themselves and do your best to be ready for them," Flacco said. "I definitely have the years of experience that help me out a little bit."