New York Jets 20-37 Cleveland Browns: Joe Flacco guides injury-ravaged team to unlikely playoff place

New York Jets 20-37 Cleveland Browns: Joe Flacco leads an injured team to a surprising playoff spot.

The Cleveland Browns clinched an unlikely playoff berth – just their second since 2002 – despite numerous injuries this season, with a 37-20 win over the New York Jets on Thursday night.

Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, a recent addition to the team, passed for 309 yards and three touchdowns in Cleveland.

The Browns (11-5) are assured of a wildcard spot and still have a chance to win the AFC North and maybe the conference’s No 1 overall seed, something that seemed unfathomable just weeks ago as major injuries piled up.

Flacco threw two touchdown passes to Jerome Ford in the first half as the Browns built a 20-point lead over the Jets (6-10), who chose not to re-sign the 15-year veteran after he spent three seasons with them, and after Aaron Rodgers had torn his Achilles tendon in Week 1.

Flacco torched New York for 296 yards in the first half and became the first quarterback in 34 games to go over 300 yards against the Jets. He’s also the first Cleveland quarterback to pass for more than 300 in four straight games.

The Jets were forced to start Trevor Siemian for the second week in a row with Zach Wilson sidelined by a concussion.

Siemian had some nice moments, but an overthrow late in first quarter was returned 30 yards for a touchdown by safety Ronnie Hickman to put the Browns up 20-7.

New York’s Jermaine Johnson had a pick-6 in the second quarter when he beautifully deflected Flacco’s pass to himself and returned it 37 yards.

Nothing has been easy this season for the Browns, who have continued to win despite being overrun by injuries since the opener.

Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore did suffer a head injury in the second quarter.

After catching a 22-yard pass from Flacco, Moore’s helmet was driven into the turf as he went down. He rolled onto his back and appeared to twitch as teammates quickly called for medical personnel.

Moore, who spent the past two seasons with the Jets, was helped off the field and escorted to Cleveland’s locker room.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco: “You don’t know how many of these moments you’re going to get. I’m going to remember this for the rest of my life.

“It was special. This is obviously a unique situation for me, so I’ve got a lot of different emotions running through my head.”

New York Jets quarterback Trevor Siemian: “That’s my job, I’m running the show out there. I’m the quarterback, so I have to know how many guys are on the field and make sure we are legal. I have to run the show and obviously didn’t do a good enough job.”

The Ravens host Miami Dolphins while the 49ers visit Washington on Sunday December 31.

Make sure you tune in to Sky Sports NFL every Sunday at 6pm for the first game of our triple-header of live action. The evening’s entertainment also includes NFL Redzone action as hosted by Scott Hanson, as well as Sunday Night Football to round off the night.

Sky Sports will broadcast two exclusive live games every Sunday throughout the regular season in the 6pm and 9pm slots, while also showing every Thursday Night, Sunday Night and Monday Night match-up.