The Cleveland Browns clinched a playoff berth last night with a 37-20 win over the New York Jets at Cleveland. The Browns scored 34 points in the 1st half and led 34-17 at the break. The 2nd half resulted in both team scoring only FG's.
Former Ohio State DB Ronnie Hickman scored on a pick 6 to give the Browns a 20-7 lead. Joe Flacco passed for 308 yards, and that was the 1st time in 33 games that the Jets allowed 300 yards through the air. Flacco has now passed for over 1,500 yards in 5 games.
Currently the Browns occupy the #5 slot in the playoff standings, and still have an outside chance to win the AFC North if Baltimore loses its last 2 games. Right now, Cleveland would play at Jacksonville in the 1st round, but things could change as there's still 2 weeks left in the regular season.
Cleveland is in the playoffs for the 3rd time since they came back in 1999. What is remarkable about the Browns getting to the postseason is how they overcame a slew of season ending injuries to key players. Coach Kevin Stefanski has to be in the discussion for COY, DC Jim Schwartz for assistant COY, Myles Garrett for Defensive POY, and Joe Flacco for Comeback POY.
After all the agony and disappointments through the years that we Browns' fans have experienced, yesterday was a glorious day indeed.
GO BROWNS!!