Browns Makes Feelings Clear on Joe Flacco After Bengals Breakout
Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski was not watching as his former quarterback, Joe Flacco, lit up the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night. Flacco turned back the clock and carved up the Steelers for 327 yards and three touchdowns in a clutch performance, including a game-winning drive that gave the Cincinnati Bengals a 33-31 victory.
Flacco was the Browns’ opening day starter but was traded to the Bengals a week after being benched in favor of Dillon Gabriel. Stefanski didn’t catch the AFC North clash between Flacco’s Bengals and the Steelers, who had beaten the Browns 23-9 just last week.
“I did not, no. I’m definitely asleep on Thursday nights,” Stefanski said. “You’re always rooting for all of your friends around the league, and that really happens on a lot of teams. But, really mostly focused on our team and what we got in front of us.”
One member of the Browns who did tune in was star defensive end Myles Garrett.
“I think Joe looked like Joe. I mean, I’m happy that he went out there and got a win,” Garrett said. “He played how we know he can, and so he made plays when they needed him to. Got the ball out quick, put on the money down the field, looked great.”
### Browns’ Myles Garrett Questions Offense Amid Skid
Garrett didn’t question Flacco’s success in Cincinnati, citing that it comes down to the personnel.
“I mean, all offenses are a little bit different, whether it’s the players that they have or the schemes that they run,” Garrett said. “So, you know, you got to make it work with the guys that you have and figure it out from there.”
What Garrett did question was the Browns’ recent game plan against the Steelers. Gabriel threw the ball 52 times, and the Quinshon Judkins-led running game never got a chance to establish itself as the Browns found themselves constantly chasing the game.
“I would have liked to see us stick to the run a little bit, especially with a dynamic playmaker like Quinshon, hell, even Dylan (Sampson),” Garrett said. “Both of them getting the ball, both of them have different styles, but effective runners in their own right. So, would like to see it, but they saw it differently.”
### Browns Offense Looking to Get on Track
The Browns’ offensive struggles have been well documented. Cleveland is averaging an NFL-worst 13.7 points per game and has been unable to produce explosive plays, particularly in the passing game.
Getting the offense on track Sunday may be a challenge with inclement weather expected. Rain and strong winds could hamper Cleveland’s passing attack.
“I mean, you gotta spin it in the wind. Dillon does that pretty well,” Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said. “Throws a pretty tight ball. Obviously, you got to play on time, you know, some balls that maybe get away with late, but if you’re playing on time, playing on rhythm, hopefully you’re pretty efficient still.”
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/cleveland-browns/joe-flacco-feelings-clear-bengals-breakout/
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