Joe Flacco’s renaissance pushes Browns to win over Jaguars: Veteran QB to remain starter

Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco helped the Cleveland Browns stay deep within the AFC playoff mix Sunday, guiding the team to a a 31-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Cleveland.
Flacco, who made his second start with the team this week, threw for 311 yards on 26-of-45 passing with three touchdowns and one interception, leading to a 92.0 passer rating.
The 38-year-old passer is the fourth quarterback to start for the Browns (8-5) this season with Deshaun Watson, P.J. Walker and Dorian Thompson-Robinson also seeing starts. The performance was enough for Browns coach Kevin Stefanski to deem Flacco as the starter for the rest of the season.
When asked about winning with four QBs, Stefanski says, “No reaction. It is what it is. We roll with whoever is back there.”
David Njoku benefitted from Flacco’s solid play as the Browns tight end hauled in two touchdowns among his six receptions and 91 yards.
Meanwhile, Trevor Lawrence suited up for the Jaguars (8-5) despite leaving the team’s Week 13 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals with an ankle sprain. The quarterback had an up-and-down day with three TDs and three interceptions, leading to a 65.2 passer rating.
Tight end Evan Engram hauled in 11 receptions for 95 yards and two TDs for Jacksonville.
Flacco bringing the stats
Flacco was 26-of-45 for 311 yards and three touchdown passes. It was just the third three-touchdown pass game by a Browns quarterback in three seasons and the first 300-yard game by a Browns quarterback since Jacoby Brissett in Week 11 of 2022. Flacco now has 10 wins as a starter in Cleveland Browns Stadium, tying him for the third-most by any quarterback since the stadium opened in 1999. — Zac Jackson, Browns beat writer
Browns D prevails
It was a defensive masterpiece by the Browns. The Browns gifted the Jaguars their first two touchdowns in short-field situations. Otherwise, the Browns’ defense created enough havoc and big plays to stop their two-game losing streak. Martin Emerson Jr. had two interceptions and Greg Newsome II had one, and the Browns had pressure on Lawrence all day even with Myles Garrett having another quiet day. The 8-5 Browns are now 6-1 at home this season. If they can win their remaining two home games (next week vs. the Bears, Week 17 vs. the Jets), they’ll return to the postseason for the first time since 2020. — Jackson
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Jaguars hang tough in AFC South
The best news for the 8-5 Jaguars is they will remain in first place in the AFC South because the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans both got steamrolled Sunday. Lawrence being healthy enough to play has to be viewed as a positive, too, but the Jaguars needed better out of their offense than they got. Lawrence was intercepted three times and the Jaguars failed in big third- and fourth-down spots in the second half. The Jaguars’ defense was good Sunday, but the Browns’ defense was the best unit on the field. The Jaguars have now lost two straight headed to their showdown with the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday night. — Jackson
Key play
David Bell’s first NFL touchdown couldn’t have come at a better time#JAXvsCLE on CBS & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/dDjHo744d1
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 10, 2023