Joe Flacco did enough to get the Cleveland Browns a victory on Sunday but he didn’t get the help he needed from his wide receivers in key situations.
The box score will show that Flacco tossed a pair of interceptions. But it’s hard to blame the 40-year-old passer for either. Both hit the receiver and were bobbled, allowing a Bengals defender to snatch the ball out of the air.
The first came in the third quarter, giving the Bengals prime field position that resulted in what would be the game-winning field goal for Cincinnati. Flacco connected with Jerry Jeudy over the middle but the ball was dropped and Bengals safety Jordan Battle snagged it.
The second came with under two minutes remaining. In a similar situation, Flacco looked for Cedric Tillman, who couldn’t hang on. DJ Turner registered the interception for the Bengals, effectively ending Flacco and the Browns’ comeback bid.
Flacco finished the game with 290 yards on 31 of 45 passing. He found Tillman for a touchdown in the third quarter. He completed more passes to running backs and tight ends (19) than his receivers (12).
Joe Flacco Backs Receivers After Rough Outing
Flacco did not throw his receivers under the bus after the game. Instead, he tried to think about what he could have done differently on the plays.
“I wish I had thrown the ball a little bit better. I wish I had thrown it on his chest as opposed of doing what I did. I think we are all looking at those plays and thinking about them,” Flacco said. “We’ll have to go home tonight and try to fall asleep with those things in our thoughts. It’s hard. When you lose football games, that’s what happens. You’re going to have plays that you look back on and think about.”
Flacco saw some good things from a youthful Browns group but knows there’s room for improvement.
“Felt like we did a lot of good things. But we played like an inexperienced team. We did so many good things and were able to move the ball. But ultimately, we came up short,” Flacco said. “It hurts to fell like we could have started the season 1-0.”
Browns Star Myles Garrett Backs Joe Flacco After Loss
Flacco had the support of the locker room after the loss, including superstar pass-rusher Myles Garrett.
“I think he made enough plays to win the game,” Garrett said. “We gotta rally around him.”
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski also gave Flacco a solid review after his season debut.
“I thought he saw it well, got the ball to the correct people a lot of the time,” Stefanski said. “He gave guys the opportunity to catch and run. Frustrated for him and for everyone.”
Flacco wasn’t flashy and the Browns’ offense didn’t have a lot of explosive plays. However, he did a lot of the little things right, which was important with a spotlight on the Browns quarterback situation. Rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are waiting for their opportunities.
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