The Cleveland Browns aren’t going to win a shootout against the Detroit Lions, and Joe Flacco knows it.
The veteran Browns quarterback spoke about their need to stay patient, especially offensively and trying to feed the ball to No. 1 receiver Jerry Jeudy, ahead of their game at Ford Field on Sunday.
The Lions are averaging 45 points per game over their past two wins, and the Browns have 47 points scored in three games this season. Detroit is averaging 36.4 points per home game over the past two seasons.
The Browns (1-2) are coming off their first win of the year and are trying for their first road win since Week 2 of the 2024 season against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Forcing Things Against Good Teams Is When ‘Bad Things Happen’
Flacco was asked about trying to get Browns No. 1 receiver Jerry Jeudy more involved in the gameplan, since Jeudy has been effectively reduced to decoy mode through three weeks.
Despite his team-high 21 targets, Jeudy has just 10 receptions for 134 yards and does not have a touchdown — though Flacco himself only has two TD passes in three games despite Cleveland’s 1-2 start.
“I want to throw for 300 [yards] every day, and I want him to 150 every week, but that’s just not how this league works,” Flacco said. “You’ve got to stay patient, and when your number is called, I think if you’re in that patient mindset, you’re going to be the most ready to strike when the opportunity is ready for you, and I think that’s all we can do.”
Forcing Jeudy to get more involved is likely a mistake, especially given the opponents Cleveland is facing. The Lions will be the third 2024 playoff team to face the Browns this season — and the rival Cincinnati Bengals, who narrowly beat Cleveland 17-16 in Week 1 were the last team out of the AFC playoff field last year.
“We’re playing good teams right now,” Flacco said. “You start to force things against good football teams, then usually bad things happen and those kinds of football teams take advantage of that.”
Still, Flacco is aware he needs to get his top wideout involved without pressing too much.
“I think it can be frustrating for him, for me, especially when we’re not putting up as many points as we want to anyway,” Flacco said. “But you’ve got to fight that urge [to force it] big time.”
Lions ‘Have An Identity and Are Good At’ Being Physical
Detroit attracts eyeballs with Dan Campbell’s aggressiveness, and its offense’s array of gadget plays and creative designs that result in chunk plays.
Yet, according to Flacco, Campbell’s identity manifests in a different way.
“They’ve been so good the past couple of years just because they play physical football,” Flacco said. “They understand that’s what wins football games.
“As an offense we need to realize we’re going to be in for that kind of game.”
Flacco saw the Lions sack Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson seven times Monday night while also putting up 224 rushing yards. The Lions are fourth in the NFL in rushing-yards per game (149.0) and tied for the third-most sacks (11) through three weeks.
“They’re not afraid to match up any of their guys against any of our guys,” Flacco said. “I think it goes back to what I said about them being physical and having an identity and not backing down from it.”
Browns QB Joe Flacco Sends Honest Message on ‘Patient Mindset’