Browns Clinch Playoffs After Defeating the Jets
Cleveland Browns fans can finally rejoice once again! On the final Thursday Night Football of the 2023 season, the Browns defeated the New York Jets 37-20 at home to improve to 11-5. Cleveland holds second place within the AFC North division, sitting behind the Baltimore Ravens, and fifth in the AFC playoff picture. With one more game left to play against a Cincinnati Bengals team that’s trying to fight for one of the final playoff spots, the Browns have some well-needed practice against their divisional rival. Let’s look into how the Cleveland Browns clinched the 2023 NFL playoffs.
The Browns started with the ball first, and in seven plays and within nearly four minutes of action quarterback Joe Flacco threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to Jerome Ford, and with kicker Riley Patterson knocking down the extra point, Cleveland led 7-0. On the Jets' first possession, they scored a touchdown in one less play than the Browns in three minutes. New York’s quarterback Trevor Siemian threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Breece Hall. Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein hit the extra point attempt to tie up the game at seven. Cleveland’s offense would storm back on the field to score their second touchdown in two attempts. Browns running back Kareem Hunt ran seven yards up the middle to score the touchdown. Riley Patterson missed this extra-point attempt, and Cleveland’s lead would stay at 13-7. With two minutes left in the first quarter, Siemian was intercepted by Browns safety Ronnie Hickman who ran 30 yards for the touchdown, and with Patterson squaring in the extra point, the Browns had a 20-7 lead.
We wouldn’t see another score until nine minutes passed in the second quarter. Flacco threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to ex-Jet wide receiver Elijah Moore, and with Patterson nailing the extra point attempt, the Browns lead has grown to 27-7. A couple of minutes later, Flacco threw a pass intended for tight end David Njoku, but Jets defensive end Jermaine Johnson intercepted the pass and ran 37 yards for a New York touchdown. Zuerlein hit the extra point to make it a 27-14 ballgame. With less than two minutes remaining before halftime, Flacco hurled a ridiculous 50-yard touchdown pass to Jerome Ford. Patterson’s extra point put the Browns up by 20, but the Jets offense rushed down the field one more time with a chance to score before going into the locker room. Zuerlein ripped a 46-yard field goal to make it a 34-17 game with two quarters left to play.
There wouldn’t be much offensive action during the final two quarters of play. With less than nine minutes in the game, Zuerlein hit a 44-yard field goal to cut the Browns lead down to just two touchdowns. Riley Patterson would seal the game for Cleveland by wailing a 33-yard field goal, and the Browns would go on to win this game 37-20. We’ll see the 11-5 Browns play the Bengals next week, while we see the 6-10 Jets face the New England Patriots in the final game of the 2023 NFL regular season.
Browns quarterback Joe Flacco went 19 for 29 launching 309 passing yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. Cleveland’s running back Jerome Ford had 12 carries for 64 yards, and tight end David Njoku had six catches for 134 yards. Jets quarterback Trevor Siemian went 32 for 45, tossing 261 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception. New York’s running back Breece Hall had 13 carries for 84 yards. Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson had five receptions for 50 yards.
