Joe Flacco Throws Multiple Pick-6s, Browns Fans Lament End of Magical Run vs. Texans

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The 2023 season is over for Joe Flacco and the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns were eliminated from playoff contention on Saturday night with a 45-14 loss to rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in the AFC Wild Card round, ending a magical run that saw Flacco put the team on his back through the final weeks of the season.

Cleveland signed Flacco to their practice squad in November and he was elevated to the active roster in December. He took over as the team’s starter in Week 13, going 4-1 to help the franchise finish the year with an 11-6 record and clinch a playoff berth.

It was a remarkable run for Flacco, who will turn 39 on Tuesday, but his performance on Saturday was a massive disappointment.

The former Baltimore Raven completed 34 of 46 passes for 307 yards and one touchdown against two interceptions in the loss. Both of his interceptions were returned for touchdowns.

Following the loss, Browns fans shared their disappointment, though they also thanked Flacco for helping get the team into the postseason—after all, not many thought they would make it into the playoffs following Deshaun Watson’s season-ending shoulder injury:

While Saturday’s loss is ultimately a disappointment, there should be optimism in Cleveland as the Browns will look to reload in 2024 with a healthy Watson under center.

If the Browns can secure a playoff berth with Flacco as the starting quarterback, they can certainly do so with Watson back in the fold next year. Perhaps they may even make a deeper run.