Joe Flacco has the Browns on the cusp of something special.
Cleveland’s starting signal-caller was a mere fan weeks ago. But after returning to the fore following Deshaun Watson’s season-ending injury, Flacco has had the Browns rolling.
It started with a standout showing against the Rams, a game in which he threw two touchdown passes in his first game in a year. One week later, he made that state line look like chump change, tossing three touchdowns and hitting the 300-yard mark as Cleveland vanquished Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars.
The good times have continued as December has worn on. Last week, Flacco conjured up perhaps his most impressive feat, leading the Browns beyond a resilient Texans squad to bring Cleveland one step closer to the golden ticket of postseason qualification.
He’s formed partnerships across the field, firing efforts to David Njoku and Amari Cooper with increasing regularity. Backed by a hulking defense — one that was paramount in victories against the 49ers and Ravens, among others — Flacco has a good chance as any to keep the Browns in high hopes.
And once the weather starts to freeze, few are better than Joe Cool. If you need any evidence, just take a glimpse at his jewelry — namely the Super Bowl ring he acquired as a member of the Ravens in 2013.
Every journey starts with a single step. For Cleveland, that step will be covered in sickly green: the Browns take on the Jets in this week’s iteration of ‘Thursday Night Football.’
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The Sporting News is tracking updates and highlights from Thursday night’s clash between Cleveland and New York. Follow below to catch all the action as it happens from Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland.
Jets vs. Browns score
1 2 3 4 F Jets 13 x x x x Browns 7 x x x x
Jets vs. Browns live updates, results, highlights from ‘Thursday Night Football’
(All times Eastern)
8:47 p.m.: TURNOVER ON DOWNS! The Browns opt to go for it on fourth after Williams swept up Hunt on third-and-short. But Flacco’s pass goes wide of the target! The Jets defense holds!
8:44 p.m.: FUMBLE! New York’s nightmare continues! Matthew Adams jars the ball loose from Israel Abanikanda on the ensuing kickoff. The ball goes tumbling down the field before finding the wanting hands of Mike Ford. Another red zone trip looms for Cleveland, who very well could add to its lead here.
.@Browns get the ball back on the ensuing kickoff!#NYJvsCLE on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/N4HZXoYgli pic.twitter.com/ay2XVr7F9i
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2023
8:40 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Kareem Hunt joins the party, racing through the storm to score. Riley Patterson sees his extra point attempt stray wide. But the Browns offense is firmly in rhythm early.
In goes @Kareemhunt7. @Browns up 13-7. #NYJvsCLE on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/N4HZXoYgli pic.twitter.com/6p6yRaWH1P
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2023
Browns 13, Jets 7
8:39 p.m.: What is Njoku cooking with? Just added another 43 yards after bypassing Mosley in the flat. He’s already up to 113 yards through two drives.
8:37 p.m.: Cleveland’s first drive was defined by Njoku. This second one has been all Ford. Already has picked up 27 yards today.
8:36 p.m.: Miscommunication between Flacco and Harrison Bryant, coupled with pressure from Quinnen Williams, nearly results in an interception. The ball falls harmlessly to the turf in the end.
8:32 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Hall shines once more, fielding Siemian’s toss in the flat and trotting 21 yards to the house. For a game touted to be a defensive showcase, there’s been plenty of offensive fireworks thus far.
Jets respond with a 75-yard drive capped off by a @BreeceH TD #TakeFlight#NYJvsCLE on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/N4HZXoYgli pic.twitter.com/f2NOWU8oPs
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2023
Browns 7, Jets 7
8:30 p.m.: Strong showing by Trevor Siemian and the Jets thus far. Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall explode for 22 and 25 yards, respectively, as New York nears the red zone.
8:24 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Cleveland opens the scoring in style, with Flacco hitting Jerome Ford for the seven-yard score. The Browns had no problem getting past that vaunted Jets defense on their first drive.
.@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
Browns 7, Jets 0
8:23 p.m.: Njoku again! Finds space behind the linebackers and leaps high to grab Flacco’s whipped effort. That’s another 28 yards for the Cleveland star. And that’s got Cleveland on the cusp of an early score.
That Flacco to Njoku connection 🔥#NYJvsCLE on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/N4HZXoYgli pic.twitter.com/HSrRCIvCtw
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2023
8:20 p.m.: Jets play shallow coverage on third-and-long. Cleveland takes advantage, with Flacco connecting with David Njoku ahead of the first down marker. The Browns tight end proceeds to ramble 36 yards down the turf, breaching into Jets’ territory for the first time today.
.@David_Njoku80 picks up 36 yards on 3rd & 15!#NYJvsCLE on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/N4HZXoYgli pic.twitter.com/NllNov6VjR
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2023
8:17 p.m.: Nick Chubb smashes the ceremonial guitar to signal the start of tonight’s game. And away we go! Browns will start this one with the ball!
8:05 p.m.: Both teams headed out onto the field. It’s about to get fun here at Browns Stadium.
7:35 p.m.: David Njoku is a better man than me. Because I would be shivering me timbers something vicious.
.@David_Njoku80 never ceases to be the coolest guy in the room 😎 pic.twitter.com/iIFOwceLyT
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 29, 2023
7:10 p.m.: Speaking of injuries, here’s the inactive list for both sides ahead of tonight’s clash:
K Greg Zuerlein is a go for #NYJvsCLE
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 28, 2023
our inactives for tonight’s game under the lights pic.twitter.com/3Aa6Pc9R3J
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 28, 2023
7:00 p.m.: Cleveland will be without its leading receiver on Thursday night. Amari Cooper, producer of the greatest single-game receiving performance in Browns history last week, will miss out on the action with a heel injury.
6:40 p.m.: Old friends meet once more, with Joe Flacco returning to the fore to face his former team, the Jets, on Saturday. Looks like the two parties remain on good terms with one another regardless of the way things.
catching up with an old pal @JoeFlacco
(apologies ahead of time if @QuinnenWilliams hits you again later) pic.twitter.com/vAfUZp3WDJ
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 28, 2023
Jets vs. Browns start time
Date: Thursday, Dec. 28Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Thursday night’s game between the Jets and the Browns will kick off in prime time at 8:15 p.m. ET from Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland.
What channel is Jets vs. Browns on today?
Game: New York Jets vs. Cleveland BrownsDate: Thursday, Dec. 28TV channel (New York): Fox 5TV channel (Cleveland): WJWLive stream: Amazon Prime Video | DAZN (in Canada)
Thursday’s clash between the Jets and the Browns will air exclusively on Amazon Prime outside of the New York and Cleveland local markets. Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (color analyst) will be on the call from Acrisure Stadium, while Kaylee Hartung will offer her musings as a sideline reporter.
Viewers in New York and Cleveland can catch the game on Fox 5 and WJW, respectively.
Audience members in Canada can stream it on DAZN, which carries every NFL game of the season.