Jets QB Joe Flacco: 'Winning in the NFL is like a drug'

Certain fans of the New York Jets were calling for head coach Robert Saleh to bench veteran quarterback Joe Flacco in favor of third-string option Mike White as the injured Zach Wilson remains sidelined. Saleh didn't go in that direction, and Flacco responded by essentially guaranteeing a win at the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon and then delivering late in a thrilling 31-30 comeback victory. 

Shortly after the result that improved "Gang Green" to 1-1, the Super Bowl XLVII Most Valuable Player spoke with Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post about his elation over his first win as a Jets quarterback. 

"Winning in the NFL is like a drug," Flacco remarked. "Not that I have experience with drugs, but it is addicting. It’s a powerful thing. This is my seventh start for the Jets and my first win. See that ball right there? I kept it." 

As Rich Cimini and Jake Trotter explained for ESPN, the Browns had a win probability of 99.9 percent when running back Nick Chubb completed a touchdown carry with 1:55 remaining in regulation to give the hosts a 30-17 lead. Had Chubb merely stopped short of the goal line and stayed in bounds, Cleveland could have run the clock out. 

Instead, Flacco got the ball back and connected with receiver Corey Davis for a 66-yard touchdown that dropped New York's deficit to 30-24 after the extra point. The Jets then retrieved an onside kick, and Flacco ultimately hit rookie receiver Garrett Wilson for a game-winning 15-yard score. 

"I took that last knee and I was going to keep that ball," Flacco said about the game's final play. "It means a lot. This team’s been through a lot and I feel like I’ve been here for a good amount of it, and it feels good."