The fairytale of Joe Flacco at the Cleveland Browns continues. The Browns clinch an early playoff berth with the oldie’s next gala performance

The Cleveland Browns have clinched an early playoff berth thanks to another gala performance from Joe Flacco. In the Thursday Night Game of Week 17, the Browns defeated the New York Jets 37-20 in their own stadium and have secured at least a wildcard ticket in the AFC for the postseason thanks to an 11-5 record.

Flacco completed 19 of his 29 passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns. An interception at the end of the first half, which was returned for a touchdown by Jets defensive end Jermaine Johnson, was just a slightly bigger blemish on the 38-year-old’s otherwise clean slate.

The Browns had to do without their best receiver against the Jets. Amari Cooper, who set a franchise record last Sunday against the Houston Texans with 265 yards, had to miss the game with a heel injury.

In Cooper’s absence, tight end David Njoku once again stood out, catching six balls for 134 yards. Even better, however, was running back Jerome Ford, who not only ran for 64 yards, but also scored 57 yards through the air and caught two of the three touchdown passes. Flacco’s third touchdown pass went to Elijah Moore.

Flacco now has four straight wins as the Browns starter. The Ohio franchise is also the first team in NFL history to start four quarterbacks in the course of a season and reach the playoffs in this constellation. The Browns will also finish a season with a better record than the Pittsburgh Steelers for the first time since 1989.

The Jets’ offense around quarterback Trevor Siemian could not keep up with the Browns’ pace. Running back Breece Hall was once again the outstanding player with 126 scrimmage yards and a receiving touchdown. Like Flacco on the other side, Siemian also had a pick six.

The Jets already had no chance of a playoff ticket. With a record of 6-10, New York remains in third place in the AFC East.