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Joe Flacco’s second straight start for the Cleveland Browns appears inevitable, if not essential.
It’s just not official.
Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski remained noncommittal about his starter for Sunday’s crucial game against Jacksonville (1 p.m. ET) despite Flacco getting all the first-team quarterback reps during the portion of Friday’s practice open to the media.
Flacco had an impressive debut for Cleveland last weekend, the 38-year-old’s first start in nearly one year, and is expected to play against the Jaguars (8-4).
But while Flacco seems to be his best choice — over rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson — for a game with massive AFC playoff implications, Stefanski said after practice he was not ready to publicly announce his starter.
“Both guys practiced this week. Both guys practiced well, I got faith in both guys,” Stefanski said.
Pressed on why he’s not revealing his choice, Stefanski remained coy.
“You don’t have to, I guess is probably the best way of putting it,” he said.
While Stefanski has every right to keep his plans private, and in turn to keep the Jaguars guessing, Flacco’s strong performance in his debut for Cleveland showed the 15-year veteran gives the Browns their best chance to make the playoffs.
In his first game in nearly a year, Flacco, who signed with the Browns on Nov. 20, passed for 254 yards and two touchdowns.
The former Super Bowl MVP did throw a costly interception in a 36-19 loss to the Rams, but Flacco had Cleveland’s offense clicking better than it has since Deshaun Watson went down with a season-ending shoulder injury.
Flacco’s showing didn’t surprise receiver Elijah Moore.
“He’s brought a confidence and a swag,” said Moore, who played with Flacco with the New York Jets and had four catches for 84 yards last week. “We have a little bit of controversy with people getting hurt. So, I think that it brings confidence to know that we have someone in there that has been through it. It’s nothing but positive for us.”
Due to injuries, the…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/browns-hc-kevin-stefanski-not-naming-starting-qb-against-jaguars-joe-flacco-likely-to-get-the-nod
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Publish date : 2023-12-08 23:22:40
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