Browns' Joe Flacco remaining humble amid shocking run

Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco is remaining humble despite becoming arguably the top feel-good story of the ongoing NFL season. 

"I mean, this position is reliant on everybody," Flacco told NBC Sports' Peter King following Cleveland's 37-20 win over the New York Jets this past Thursday night that clinched a playoff spot for the Browns. "I think the fact that this is, like, the ultimate team sport has kind of gotten away from us to a certain extent. Everybody wants everything to come down to one guy or two guys. It’s just not the case, man. That’s why this sport is so special. That’s why winning a game at this level is so special." 

Flacco turns 39 years old later this month and considered becoming a television analyst in 2023 before he ultimately joined the Browns in November after they lost Deshaun Watson to a season-ending shoulder injury. 

The Super Bowl XLVII Most Valuable Player is now 4-1 as Cleveland's starter, and DraftKings Sportsbook lists Flacco second among the betting favorites at +100 odds to win the Comeback Player of the Year Award. Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is the overall favorite (-135). 

During his chat with King, Flacco referenced the touchdown pass he tossed to wide receiver Elijah Moore in the second quarter of Cleveland's win over the Jets as an example of how everyone involved helped the 11-5 Browns emerge as a legitimate Super Bowl contender. 

"Playing quarterback has so much to do with the play caller, the offensive line, the running backs, the wide receivers all doing their job of getting open," Flacco explained. "I threw a corner route to Elijah Moore (Thursday) for a touchdown. Imagine if he doesn’t get open there. Then it’s just another incomplete pass. All my job was to do was to hit him once he got open. (Head coach Kevin Stefanski) called the play. Obviously, you have to be able to do that in the moment and just play football and make the most of those opportunities when they come up." 

Cleveland is locked in as the No. 5 seed for the playoffs, meaning Flacco and other starters should sit for this coming Sunday's regular-season finale against the eliminated Cincinnati Bengals. As Tyler Carey of WKYC noted, Flacco and company don't yet know who they'll face in the opening round of the postseason tournament.