Joe Flacco fell aside reside on nationwide TV.
After spending the second half of the 2023 season as the very best story within the NFL, the Hollywood script for the 38-year-old quarterback was lastly tossed within the garbage bin on Sunday.
1
In a 2-minutes span throughout a game-changing third quarter, Flacco threw two pick-sixes for a complete of 118 return yards that turned two large Houston Texans touchdowns.
With Cleveland trailing 24-14 at halftime, the Browns nonetheless had a shot to discover a approach to an AFC Wild Card victory in Houston at NRG Stadium.
However Flacco’s age, arm and on-field resolution making received in the way in which.
The Texans’ protection started to determine Flacco out and DeMeco Ryans’ feisty crew fully pounced within the third quarter.
First, Steven Nelson collected a Flacco choose for a scorching 82-yard TD return that introduced NRG Stadium to full roar.
Then Christian Harris recieved one other errant Flacco move, working 36 yards for an additional pick-six.
With 13 minutes left within the fourth quarter, the Texans led the Browns 45-14.
The lopsided blowout was arrange by Flacco, who went 4-1 down the stretch to save lots of Cleveland’s season however was uncovered within the playoffs in his largest recreation of the 12 months.
The Texans’ protection shredded Flacco, who had thrown two picks, been sacked thrice for 30 yards and been held to a 79.7 passer score because the fourth quarter wound down.
In the meantime, rookie QB C.J. Stroud was shining like a confirmed playoff veteran, finishing 16 of his preliminary 21 passes for 274 yards, three TDs and a glowing 157.2 score.
Flacco received a Tremendous Bowl throughout his peak run with Baltimore.
However he struggled throughout his final 12 months with the Ravens, then bounced from Denver to the New York Jets earlier than turning into a little-seen backup.
After Deshaun Watson was misplaced for the season resulting from harm, the Browns ultimately turned to Flacco.
The veteran saved his worst recreation of 2023 for Cleveland’s largest recreation of the season.
Again-to-back pick-sixes have been a painful reminder that the 38-year-old Flacco had been out of the NFL for a cause.
