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Posted on: November 30, 2023, 10:55h.
Final up to date on: November 30, 2023, 11:28h.
If rookie quarterback Dorian Robinson-Thompson doesn’t clear concussion protocol, then the Cleveland Browns will begin veteran backup Joe Flacco in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
The Browns (7-4) at present occupy considered one of three AFC wild-card spots. The Rams host the Browns at SoFi Stadium in Week 13, and the Browns are a +3.5 highway underdog.
If Flacco begins this Sunday, he’ll turn out to be the fourth quarterback to start out for the Browns this season.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson began six video games earlier than he sustained a season-ending shoulder harm on his throwing arm. The Browns had been 5-1 with Watson because the starter.
Veteran backup P.J. Walker struggled in his two begins for the Browns, finishing solely 48.6% of his passes this season with one landing and 5 interceptions.
Thompson-Robinson, a rookie from UCLA, began three video games this season. He took a vicious shot in opposition to the Denver Broncos in Week 12 when he tried to scramble on a cross try. He was knocked out of the sport and identified with a concussion. Walker completed the sport in reduction, however the Browns misplaced, 29-12.
The Browns are 1-2 with Thompson-Robinson as a starter this season.
Flacco: Gunslinger for Rent
Flacco, 38, had been a free agent all season, however had but to signal with a workforce earlier than the Browns added him within the wake of the Watson harm.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski misplaced religion in Walker because the starter, which is why Thompson-Robinson began the final two video games. If Thompson-Robinson clears concussion protocol within the subsequent 48 hours, then he’ll begin in opposition to the Rams, and Flacco shall be his backup.
Stefanski promoted Flacco to second string this week, and Walker was demoted to 3rd string. Flacco has been taking reps in follow with the offensive starters, whereas Walker is operating the scout workforce.
Huge, robust arm and clearly, he could make each throw,” mentioned Stefanski. “He’s achieved a really good job within the assembly room, attending to know his teammates, attending to know the system.”
Flacco led the 2012 Baltimore Ravens to a victory in Tremendous Bowl XLVII and earned MVP honors. He began 4 video games for the New York Jets final season.
Flacco began 180 video games over his profession and has a 99-81 document as a starter. Since he left Baltimore in 2018, Flacco posted a 3-14 document as a starter. He gained just one recreation since 2019.
The Browns depend on their vaunted protection to maintain them in video games. They’ve the most effective cross defenses within the NFL, permitting solely 19 factors per recreation, which is ranked #7. They’re ranked first within the NFL in fewest yards allowed (247.9) and ranked first in passing yards allowed (142.0).
Browns in Playoff Hunt
With six video games remaining, solely two of the Browns’ opponents have a successful document. The Browns face potential playoff squads, such because the Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3) in Week 14, and the Houston Texans (6-5) in Week 16.
The Browns play 4 upcoming video games in opposition to groups with a shedding document, together with the Rams (5-6) this Sunday, the Chicago Bears (4-8) in Week 15, the New York Jets (4-7) in Week 17, and the Cincinnati Bengals (5-6) in Week 18.
The Ravens (9-3) maintain down first place within the rough-and-tumble AFC North. The Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4) are in second place and appear to be a brand new workforce after they fired ineffective offensive coordinator Matt Canada. The Browns have the identical document because the Steelers, however they occupy third place within the division. The Bengals misplaced Joe Burrow to a season-ending wrist harm, and so they’re in final place.
The Ravens are the betting favourite to win the AFC North at -340 odds, and so they’re forward of the Steelers (+400) and Browns (+800).
If the season ended right now, three groups from the AFC North would safe spots within the playoffs. The Ravens would lock up the #1 seed, and the Steelers would earn the #5 seed and the Brown would get the #6 seed.
The Browns are -175 odds to make the playoffs, and +130 odds to overlook the postseason in line with a prop guess by DraftKings.
Upshot predicts the Browns have a 9% likelihood to win the division with a 68% likelihood to advance to the playoffs.
The Browns are +5000 odds to win the AFC Championship, and +6500 odds to win Tremendous Bowl LVIII.
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