The Cleveland Browns produced one of the early surprises of the NFL season with a narrow 13-10 victory over the Green Bay Packers in Week 3. While the result halted a lengthy losing streak, attention quickly turned to the quarterback position and head coach Kevin Stefanski’s decision on who would start in Week 4.
After the game, Stefanski confirmed that veteran Joe Flacco will remain under center when the Browns travel to face the Detroit Lions. Flacco’s performance against Green Bay was far from efficient. He completed 21 of 36 passes for just 142 yards, threw an interception, and failed to register a touchdown.
Despite those struggles, he guided the offense on a decisive late drive that positioned rookie kicker Andre Szmyt for a 55-yard game-winning field goal.
The Browns’ offensive issues were clear throughout the afternoon. Flacco often relied on checkdown throws and showed limited mobility in the pocket. Opportunities for deeper completions were missed, with receivers breaking open downfield but not being targeted. For much of the game, Cleveland looked stagnant with the ball, producing few sustained drives and struggling to maintain possession.
The outcome, however, was determined largely by Cleveland’s defense. Defensive end Myles Garrett continued to dominate at the line of scrimmage, consistently pressuring Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love. Safety Grant Delpit recorded the Browns’ first interception of the season late in the fourth quarter, halting a potential scoring drive.
The defining moment came when defensive tackle Shelby Harris blocked a Packers field goal attempt, setting up the offense’s final opportunity. Cleveland’s defensive unit has quickly established itself as one of the most formidable in the league, compensating for an offense that remains a work in progress.
Stefanski’s dndorsement of Flacco
In his postgame remarks, Stefanski emphasized that he never considered replacing Flacco during the contest. While speculation before the game suggested rookie Dillon Gabriel could be given an opportunity, Stefanski dismissed any notion of a quarterback change at this stage.
The coaching staff has stressed the importance of stability and intends to manage the development of younger players gradually rather than rushing them into action.
The decision reflects Stefanski’s preference for experience at a position that often dictates late-game outcomes. Flacco, despite his limitations, executed the final drive under pressure and displayed the composure expected of a veteran. For now, that reliability appears to outweigh his declining physical attributes.
Cleveland’s victory highlighted both strengths and weaknesses. Defensively, the team demonstrated it can dictate games, forcing mistakes and creating opportunities for its offense. Offensively, the lack of efficiency remains the central concern. If the Browns could pair their defensive excellence with greater production on offense, their overall record would likely be stronger.
As the Browns prepare for Detroit, Flacco retains the starting role, but scrutiny will remain. Each performance will be judged not only on the result but also on whether the offense shows signs of growth. For the moment, Cleveland can take satisfaction in a hard-fought win, though long-term progress will require more balance between its dominant defense and its uneven attack.
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