The Cleveland Browns’ offense fell flat again in their lopsided 41-17 Week 2 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, prompting the team to bench Joe Flacco in the fourth quarter.
Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel entered the game with just under five minutes left and the Ravens up 41-10. The game was already out of hand but Gabriel did some good things in his limited work. He completed all three of his passes for 20 yards and a touchdown.
Flacco won the starting job during training camp, beating out Kenny Pickett — who has since been traded to the Las Vegas Raiders — as well as Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
Flacco didn’t play badly in Week 1, but he also failed to provide a spark for the offense. He completed 31 of 45 passes for 290 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.
Flacco’s play was an issue against the Ravens. He completed 25 of 45 passes for 199 yards. Flacco threw an interception and had a fumble returned for a touchdown.
The Browns’ game plan doesn’t call for many deep shots, but Flacco struggled to generate chunk plays or consistency. He tried to extend a few plays outside the pocket, yet his age showed whenever he scrambled.
“Teams just sit on the first actions and jump routes because they know Flacco’s immobility ends any play in 3 seconds,” a fan said.
“The Joe Flacco experiment should be over. Hang it up. The old man can’t scramble. Let’s see what we have in these rookies and start thinking about the future,” another fan added.
Browns QB Joe Flacco Labeled ‘Game-Manager’
In the third quarter, the 40-year-old Flacco rolled to the sideline and forced a throw that was intercepted by Ravens rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins, setting up a Baltimore touchdown.
“Joe Flacco folks,” a fan said. “At least one horrible interception per game.”
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, who also calls the offensive plays, also took some heat.
“After watching the first 6 quarters of the season, it’s clear Kevin Stefanski has neutered Joe Flacco. The gunslinger is gone,” a fan said. “The game manager has arrived. We don’t want to throw an interception, so let’s just check down every single pass instead.”
Flacco’s third-quarter touchdown — his only of the day — probably should have gone the other way. He fired it straight to Ravens corner Marlon Humphrey, but the ball slipped through his hands and landed in Cedric Tillman’s lap for the score. In a way, it felt like payback for last week, when two drops by wideouts turned into interceptions.
Browns Facing Pressure to Play Rookies Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel
Flacco was named the starter to open the season, but the Browns are expected to keep him on a short leash, with an eye toward giving their rookie quarterbacks a look as the year progresses. That timeline may be even more accelerated than expected after the team’s 0-2 start.
“If (Flacco) falters, the Browns won’t hesitate to turn it over sooner than later to their backup quarterback, rookie Dillon Gabriel, whom they loved in the draft and have been impressed with during his four months here,” Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com said ahead of Week 1. “If Gabriel can then manage the offense efficiently and play clean ball, the Browns will still have a chance to remain relevant beyond the trade deadline Nov. 4.”
Browns insider Brad Stainbrook noted during the Ravens matchup that the calls for Gabriel or Sanders to start are only going to get louder.
“It’s only Week 2, but the Browns have two rookie QBs they’ll need to figure out,” Stainbrook said. “Joe Flacco isn’t getting any younger, and this conversation is only going to get louder.”
Gabriel has been serving as the primary backup to Flacco. Sanders is the third, emergency quarterback. He’s suited up but is officially inactive and can only enter the game if both Flacco and Gabriel are injured.
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