Joe Flacco’s interceptions were the stake in the Browns’ season
Cleveland Browns Cinderella run on their fourth quarterback of the season has come to an end. Joe Flacco was 4-1 coming into the playoffs as a starter for the Browns before Cleveland lost to the Texans. That all changed when the Texans blew by the Browns by a score of 45-14. Two interceptions that were […]
Cleveland Browns Cinderella run on their fourth quarterback of the season has come to an end.
Joe Flacco was 4-1 coming into the playoffs as a starter for the Browns before Cleveland lost to the Texans. That all changed when the Texans blew by the Browns by a score of 45-14.
Two interceptions that were both returned for a touchdown were a kill shot for the Browns and it took the air out of the game.
With 6:20 left in the third quarter, Steven Nelson intercepted a pass that appeared to be aimed out of bounds. It was returned 82 yards for a touchdown to make the score 31-14 in advantage of the Texans. The following possession for the Browns ended with a 36-yard interception return for a touchdown by Texans LB Christian Harris. Harris sacked Flacco on the following drive to turn the ball over on downs.
Against Houston, Flacco was 34-of-46 passing for 308 yards and a score. The two interceptions stood out more.
“I need to put him in better position,” Kevin Stefanski said after the game. “There’s things I could do better. He’s trying to make a play.”
It was a sequence that put the game out of hand for the Browns. The Browns had overcome Flacco’s turnover issue until the most important game of the season. In five previous games, Flacco had eight interceptions.
Cleveland making the playoffs through all of the injuries and four quarterbacks was impressive. But the magic ran out and it ran out in the first game of the playoffs. The defense had early lapses and the offense failed after starting well.
The Browns finish their season 11-7 and any talk of bringing Flacco back next season is likely out of the realm of possibility.
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