A dominant first half performance proved to be all the Cleveland Browns (11-5) needed on Thursday night, defeating the New York Jets (6-10) at home, 37-20, to secure a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
Joe Flacco has been nothing but impressive since signing with the Browns, and he showcased how elite he can be by throwing for 303 passing yards, 296 of which came in the first half. He also tossed three touchdown passes and one interception. The 37 points scored on Thursday was the most New York has given up all season.
On the other side of the ball, the Browns defense never let New York generate any momentum and never trailed in the game. The unit also made big plays in the first quarter by forcing a fumble on a kickoff return and Ronnie Hickman taking an interception to the house to put Cleveland up two-scores early.
The Jets had several chances to get back into the game in the second half, but like much of the season, opportunities were wasted. Despite getting into Cleveland territory three separate times in the half, they were only able to muster up three points in the final 30 minutes.
With one week left in the regular season, Cleveland still has a slim shot of securing the No. 1 seed in the AFC — assuming the Baltimore Ravens collapse in the final two weeks. Regardless, the Browns remain one of the most impressive, and dangerous, teams at the No. 5 seed. — Jordan Mendoza
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Postseason-bound Browns: The crowd at Cleveland Browns Stadium got a late Christmas present.
Thursday’s win clinched the Browns a playoff berth. This year is just the third time the Browns have reached the postseason since the 2002 season.
The Browns are the first team to make the playoffs after having four quarterbacks make multiple starts.
Joe Flacco shines in fifth start as Browns QB: Flacco continued his solid play. Flacco had 296 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, resulting in a 135.4 passer rating. Flacco’s only blemish in the first half was a pick-six.
The Browns didn’t reach the end zone in the second half, but Flacco was steady. The 38-year-old quarterback finished 19-of-29 passing for 309 yards to go with three touchdowns and one interception.
In just his fifth start with the Browns, Flacco has a good grasp of the Browns offense, and he’s comfortable behind center.
Browns fans even chanted Flacco’s name in satisfaction.
David Njoku dominates early: Njoku had six catches for a season-high 134 yards. The Browns tight end did most of his damage in the first half, tallying 128 yards in the first two quarters.
Njoku has transformed into arguably a top five tight end this season.
Njoku did lose a fumble. But overall, the tight end had a good night. The Browns needed Njoku’s production without wide receiver Amari Cooper, who was inactive due to a heel injury.
Browns in first half: The Browns’ 34 first-half points were the second most points in the first half in their franchise history, per the Amazon Prime broadcast.
Browns' Sione Takitaki and Myles Garrett: Takitaki had a career-high 15 tackles in the win. Garrett registered three tackles, one sack and three QB hits. Garrett created plenty of pressure.
Jets' ball security: Thursday night’s game featured five combined turnovers. The Browns had three and the Jets coughed the football up twice.
Sloppy Jets: In addition to two giveaways, the Jets were called for 12 penalties.
Jets defense falters: The Jets didn’t perform like a top-five defense Thursday night. New York came into Week 17 allowing 294 yards and 21 points per contest. But the Jets defense allowed 34 points in the first half and a total of 428 yards in the loss. — Tyler Dragon
Joe Flacco passed for 309 yards and three touchdowns and the Browns clinched an unlikely playoff berth — just their second since 2002 — despite numerous injuries this season with a win over the Jets.
New York’s last chance at a comeback attempt failed with a little over five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Down 34-20, Trevor Siemian and the Jets turned the ball over on downs at their own 27-yard line.
The Jets offense is 0-1 on fourth down and 4-13 on third downs in the game.
The Browns converted a 33-yard field goal in six plays after they took over possession of the football.
Cleveland has a 37-20 lead with under three minutes remaining in the game. — Tyler Dragon
The first points of the second half came via a field goal, with the Jets adding three points to make it 34-20 Browns lead with just under nine minutes left.
New York got the ball in Cleveland territory after recovering a fumble, but the offense was only able to pick up one first down, thanks to a flag on the Browns on a fourth down. Greg Zuerlein was able to knock in a 44-yard field goal after having a kick in the third quarter blocked.
It’s now a two-score game, and the Jets defense will try to get another stop, or force a fourth Cleveland turnover. — Jordan Mendoza
The Jets aren’t out of it yet.
The Jets defense forced a turnover with 11:55 remaining in the fourth quarter when linebacker Quincy Williams forced a fumble on Browns running back Pierre Strong at the Cleveland 35-yard line.
Jets edge rusher Jermaine Johnson recovered the football.
Both teams have combined for five turnovers in the game. — Tyler Dragon
The third quarter featured no points. It was the first scoreless quarter from both sides in the game.
The Browns still have a commanding 34-17 lead entering the final quarter. Cleveland is holding a two-score lead despite just one first down and 12 total yards in the third quarter.
The Jets had five first downs and 99 total yards in the quarter. But New York had a short 31-yard field goal blocked and were called for three penalties in the third period. — Tyler Dragon
The Browns have a healthy lead against the Jets, but they’ll have to deal with another star receiver out.
Elijah Moore is out for the rest of Thursday’s game with a concussion, the Browns said. Moore suffered the injury late in the second quarter. After making a catch, his facemask went right into the ground on the tackle and despite moving his arms around, he noticeably looked injured.
Moore had five catches for 61 yards in the game, including a touchdown. He entered Thursday with 54 receptions for 579 yards and a touchdown. Cleveland was already playing without leading-receiver Amari Cooper. — Jordan Mendoza
New York’s promising drive to start the second half resulted in no points.
The Jets’ drive stalled inside Cleveland’s 10-yard line. New York was forced to settle for a short 31-yard field goal, but Greg Zuerlein’s kick was blocked by defensive tackle Shelby Harris.
The trajectory of the football appeared to be low coming off Zuerlein’s foot which allowed Harris to block the field goal.
The Browns took over the football on their own 21-yard line. — Tyler Dragon
Joe Flacco and company were not phased by the vaunted Jets defense, as it picked apart New York to get to a 34-17 lead at the half.
Flacco continued his impressive play on Thursday, going 16-for-22 with 296 passing yards and three touchdown passes in the first 30 minutes, nearly doubling the 168 passing yards a game the Jets allowed entering the matchup. Daivd Njoku was the leading receiver for Cleveland with five catches for 128 yards.
The 34 points is the most the Jets have given up in one half, and tied for the most points they’ve given up in a game.
Meanwhile, New York’s offense got off to a great start with a 75-yard opening drive touchdown, but mostly stalled afterward. In their next six drives, the Jets gained just 78 yards, which included a kickoff return fumble and a thrown pick-six. New York was able to hang around with a pick-six from Jermaine Johnson and a field goal as time expired in the second quarter.
New York will begin the second half with the ball, trying to stay in the game, while Cleveland is one half away from clinching a playoff spot. — Jordan Mendoza
Joe Flacco showed off his mobility as Cleveland extended its lead.
The 38-year-old QB alluded pressure from Jets DT Quinnen Williams and escaped the pocket. Then while on the run, Flacco passed to RB Mike Ford. Ford grabbed the football, weaved through a couple defenders and raced to a 50-yard touchdown to give the Browns a 34-14 lead with 1:25 remaining in the second quarter.
Flacco now has 296 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in the first half. The Browns have 367 yards in total offense. — Tyler Dragon
Just when it looked like the Browns might put the dagger in, the Jets come up with a huge touchdown.
Up by 20 and driving, Flacco attempted a screen to Daivd Njoku, but Jermaine Johnson was in the way. Flacco tried to get it around the defender, but Johnson tipped it in the air and caught it. He then ran 37 yards untouched into the end zone to make it a 27-14 game, and keep New York alive late in the second half.
It was also the second pick six of the first half, after the Browns got one in the first quarter. — Jordan Mendoza
Two former Jets hooked up for a Browns touchdown.
Browns QB Joe Flacco passed to an open WR Elijah Moore on an out route for an 8-yard touchdown to end a 10-play, 79-yard drive. Moore’s touchdown pushed Cleveland’s lead to 27-7 with 6:15 remaining in the first half.
Flacco is having a good first half. The veteran quarterback has 215 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Both Flacco (2020-2022) and Moore (2021-2022) had stints with the Jets. — Tyler Dragon
David Njoku has had an impressive first half, but he made his first mistake of the day by gifting New York a fumble.
As the tight end was running across midfield, Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley punched the ball out of his hands. The ball continued to roll before Mosley was able to get to it and recover it for the turnover. It was the first Browns turnover of the game, and third takeaway so far.
However, New York wasn’t able to capitalize on it, going three-and-out on the ensuing drive. — Jordan Mendoza
The Browns completed their highest scoring first quarter of the season.
Cleveland leads the Jets 20-7 after the first period. The Browns scored on their first two possessions and safety Ronnie Hickman had a pick-six in what was a solid intial 15 minutes of football for Cleveland.
The Jets offense went right down the field on their opening possession and running back Breece Hall found the end zone. But New York had two turnovers in the first quarter.
Browns tight end David Njoku had four catches and 113 receiving yards in the first period. — Tyler Dragon
The Cleveland offense wasn’t able to capitalize on a redzone turnover, but the defense was able to turn one into points.
Ronnie Hickman sat in front of a Trevor Siemian pass intended for Garrett Wilson, and weaved around for 30 yards into the end zone to turn a pick-six into a 20-7 Browns lead with two minutes left in what has been a thrilling first quarter. The pick six was the rookie’s first interception of his NFL career. — Jordan Mendoza
The Jets’ first quarter turnover didn’t cost them.
Jets returner Israel Abanikanda had the football stripped loose from him by Matthew Adams on a kickoff return. The Browns’ Mike Ford recovered the football at the New York 12-yard line.
However, the Jets defense stood their ground as they forced Cleveland’s offense to turn the football over on downs in four plays. — Tyler Dragon
What a first quarter its been for Daivd Njoku, as he’s already racked up 113 yards on four receptions in just 10 minutes of game time.
Njoku added to his total on the second drive of the game with a 43-yard catch and run, setting up Cleveland inside the 10-yardline. One play later, Kareem Hunt ran it up the middle for a 7-yard touchdown. The extra point was missed, making it a 13-7 Browns lead. — Jordan Mendoza
Two stout defenses are having a little trouble to start the game.
The Jets offense matched Cleveland’s opening drive touchdown.
Running back Breece Hall led the Jets on a six-play, 75-yard touchdown drive in a little over three minutes. Hall scored the game-tying touchdown when he caught a short pass from quarterback Trevor Siemian and scampered 21 yards to the end zone.
Hall produced 53 yards from scrimmage in New York’s opening series. — Tyler Dragon
Joe Flacco isn’t scared of one of the best passing defenses in the NFL, as he marched the Browns right down the field on the opening drive for a touchdown.
Thanks to an offensive pass interference, the Browns faced third-and-15 from its 20-yard line, but Flacco found tight end David Njoku for a 36 yard pass to get into Jets territory. A few plays later, Flacco connected with his tight end for a 28-yard gain. The drive was then capped off with a seven-yard pass to Jerome Ford, who was able to dive across the goal line for the touchdown.
On the opening drive, Flacco went three-for-four with 71 yards, picking apart a defense that gives up only 168 passing yards a game. — Jordan Mendoza
Jets vs. Browns is scheduled to kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET (7:20 p.m. CT) on Thursday night. The Jets travel to Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio to take on the Browns.
Jets at Browns will be streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video and will be broadcast in local markets only.
As is the case with "Thursday Night Football" matchups in 2023, the Browns-Jets Week 16 showdown will air exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit will be on the call, with Kaylee Hartung patrolling the sidelines.
The Browns are favorites to defeat the Jets, according to BetMGM NFL odds.
USA TODAY Sports' staff picks for this game:
With a win against the Jets on Thursday night, the Browns will secure just their third playoff berth since coming off hiatus in 1999. The Browns last made the playoffs during the 2020 season.
➤ Browns clinch playoff berth during Week 17 with:
The Browns have won three in a row, maintaining a slim cushion to separate them from the rest of the AFC wild-card fray. The Browns' AFC North rival, the Baltimore Ravens, are in the driver's seat for home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. — Nate Davis
The 2023 season opened with so much optimism for the Jets, who had pulled off an offseason trade for future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. An injury to Rodgers on the first offensive series in Week 1, derailed the Jets' season.
Now, the Jets find themselves in position to pick in the top 10 of the 2024 NFL draft. Here is the top 10 2024 draft order heading into Week 17:
The Jets have had selections in the top 10 in two of the previous three drafts. In 2022, the Jets selected cornerback Sauce Gardner with the No. 4 overall pick. In 2021, the Jets picked quarterback Zach Wilson at No. 2 overall. — Jim Reineking
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (heel), who is coming off a record-setting game for the Browns, will not play Thursday night against the Jets. Cooper leads the Browns with 1,250 yards receiving, and has seen his production spike since the arrival of veteran quarterback Joe Flacco.
With kicker Dustin Hopkins and punter Corey Bojorquez both out, Riley Patterson and Matt Haack will handle the placekicking and punting duties, respectively.
For the second straight week, the Jets are rolling with Trevor Siemian at quarterback.
Jets' inactive players:
Browns' inactive players:
Thursday night’s game features the two stingiest pass defenses in the NFL. The Browns have the top pass defense in the NFL, allowing just 160 yards per game. The Jets defense allows 168 passing yards a game, which ranks second in the league. — Tyler Dragon
The Browns and Jets are meeting for the 30th time. The Browns lead the series, 15-14 (14-14 in the regular season, 1-0 in the playoffs).
That playoff game is particularly notable. It is commonly known as the "Marathon by the Lake."
In a 1986 AFC divisional playoff game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, the Browns outlasted the Jets, 23-20, in a game that went into double overtime. The Jets looked to be in a good position to advance to the AFC championship game, leading 20-10 late in the fourth quarter. However, a late-hit penalty against Mark Gastineau on Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar extended a drive that led to a touchdown. A 22-yard field goal by Mark Moseley sent the game into overtime. After going scoreless in the first overtime period, Moseley ended the game with a 27-yard field goal in the second overtime to send the Browns to the AFC title game.
That 1986 AFC championship game, of course, is famous for one of a series of unfortunate events that befell the Browns in the playoffs during that era. It became known as "The Drive." Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway led a 98-yard drive in the game's final minutes to force overtime, where the Broncos won 23-20 to advance to Super Bowl XXI.
More than 16 years earlier, on Sept. 21, 1970, the Browns hosted Joe Namath and the Jets for the first-ever "Monday Night Football" game. The Browns won that game, 31-21.— Jim Reineking
Jets running back Breece Hall has produced 1,269 yards from scrimmage this season. His total ranks fifth among all NFL running backs this year. Hall leads the Jets in rushing (732 yards) and is second on the team in receptions (65). — Tyler Dragon
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The Week 17 "Thursday Night Football" game between the Jets and Browns will not be nationally broadcast on linear television. However, viewers in the NYC market can tune to Fox (Channel 5) while those in the Cleveland market can tune to ABC (Channel 5).
As the countdown clock ticks toward 2024, this is surely the time to look back at the year it has been in the NFL. As usual, no shortage of drama. — Jarrett Bell
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