Watch: Joe Flacco leads 75-yard opening TD drive vs. Jets

Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco. Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Browns QB Joe Flacco leads 75-yard opening TD drive vs. Jets

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 12/28/23

Christmas is over, but Joe Flacco is the gift that keeps giving.

Flacco continued his miraculous run with the Cleveland Browns on "Thursday Night Football," leading a nearly flawless opening touchdown drive against the New York Jets with a playoff berth on the line.

The 38-year-old was 3-of-4 on the drive for 75 yards. Flacco connected with tight end David Njoku early, finding him for gains of 28 and 36 yards before capping things off with a seven-yard touchdown pass to running back Jerome Ford.

.@JeromeFord crosses the goal line for an opening drive TD for Cleveland!#NYJvsCLE on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/N4HZXoYgli pic.twitter.com/MbgDAN0ABp
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2023

The Jets quickly tied things at 7-7 after the Browns scored, but Flacco and company responded. Once again, Flacco hooked up with Njoku to set up a TD. This time, a 43-yard one-handed catch-and-run by the TE led to a seven-yard score on the ground from RB Kareem Hunt, putting the Browns back on top by a score only seven plays later.

.@David_Njoku80 with one hand! He’s already at 113 receiving yards.#NYJvsCLE on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/N4HZXoYgli pic.twitter.com/wNYzUOUnfZ
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2023

Flacco has won three of four starts since signing with the Browns ahead of Week 12. Entering Thursday night, the Super Bowl XLVII MVP completed 59 percent of his passes, averaging 327 passing yards per game with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

A hot start for the Browns against the Jets was crucial, as a victory would send Cleveland to the postseason for only the second time since 2003.

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