Joe Flacco's Comeback Player Of The Year Chances Continue To Rise
Joe Flacco and the Browns offense was staring down the barrel of one of the best defenses in the NFL on Thursday, down their top receiver, Amari Cooper.
Against a Jets defense that hadn't given up 300 yards passing to an opposing quarterback in 39 consecutive games, Flacco diced them up for 296 yards in the first half alone. He was incredible for a fourth straight game, but this time he also did it in front of a national audience.
After finishing the game 19-of-29 for 309 yards, three touchdowns and one interception to kickoff Week 17, Flacco's odds of winning the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year stood at +140, trailing only Damar Hamlin who is the favorite to win the award at-170 odds.
Dec 28, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) celebrates after a touchdown pass against the New York Jets during the first half at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
© Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Hamlin's story is certainly an emotional one to top, but Flacco is making his best case for the award regardless.
The once proud Baltimore Raven has become a bit of journeyman in the later stages of his career. The Ravens moved on from Flacco after 11 years in 2019 as he joined the Denver Broncos, but he never caught traction there. His time there was cut short after needing neck surgery and he would eventually be cut by the team.
He then signed on with the New York Jets as a bridge quarterback and a guy who could mentor a young, promising draft pick of a QB that they hoped would become the face of the franchise. Enter Zach Wilson.
2022 marked the end of his time in New York and he was sent back to New Jersey wondering if he would ever play football again.
Flacco tells stories that he would keep his arm loose with his brother and his dad just playing catch in the backyard. He jokes that his kids and their friends would come running to their house and Joe would be the all-time quarterback.
In the background, Flacco's camp was reaching out to teams, specifically New York, on bringing the 38-year-old gunslinger back. No one took the bait until Cleveland gave him a call in Week 12 and the rest has been history.
Since joining the Browns, Flacco is 123-of-204 for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions and has a four-and-one record. He is playing better than anyone could have ever imagined, as he makes running Cleveland's offense look so effortless at times.
He is hands down one of the best stories going in the NFL right now, and winning the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award could be the next chapter of this storybook ride.
