Browns vs Broncos: Why Joe Flaco & Not DTR Should Start Against Russell Wilson on SNF?

When Deshaun Watson was ruled out of the entire season due to a shoulder injury, the Cleveland Browns’ hearts sank. They had lost their star QB for the entire season, and who did the team choose to replace him? Dorian Thompson-Robinson. A rookie fresh out of college. In the games against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, DTR actually came through when the Browns needed him the most. But fans are still not sure how he will play against a veteran QB like Russell Wilson. And for good reason.

But in the game against the Baltimore Ravens, he threw 3 interceptions and had a passer rating of just 25.3. Browns fans were somewhat relieved when they heard that the team had signed Joe Flacco as their backup QB. So should the veteran player start instead of the rookie against the Denver Broncos?

Why Joe Flacco could be the answer to the Browns’ QB problem

Ahead of the game against the Denver Broncos, Head Coach Kevin Stefanski said that DTR will start for the Browns on Sunday Night Football. Fans couldn’t make sense of this announcement. Why would the Browns want a rookie to start when they have a player with 16 years of experience on their roster?

For now, however, Flacco is just the backup and if DTR shows signs of struggling on the gridiron, then they might switch him with the veteran QB. Flacco, who is 38 years old, had played for the Purple Pain for nearly a decade and had won Super Bowl XLVII with them in 2012.

Flacco has a total of 42,320 passing yards and 232 spread out over his 16-season career. And to face off against a battle-tested QB like Wilson, it seems that the Browns would need a veteran QB.

The Browns will be up against a resurgent Broncos

After his horrific debut season with the Broncos in 2022, Wilson is finally free of Nathaniel Hackett. Now, under Sean Payton, while he did seem to struggle initially, he is slowly becoming the “dange-rus” Wilson that football fans had come to love and admire. The Broncos are currently on a 4-game winning streak and will be looking to use that momentum against the Browns on Sunday.

But DTR also has his supporters. Travis Kelce discussed his experience on his podcast about watching DTR play. Kelce had the good fortune of watching DTR’s UCLA team play Cincinnati. That’s when he realized he had what it took to be a great player.“DTR was a problem,” Kelce complimented him.

Read More: ‘Gracious’ Russell Wilson Opens Up on Thanksgiving Day Plans as Broncos Get Ready for Browns Visit

On Sunday, will he come through again for the Browns or will he make them regret using him as starting QB? What are your thoughts on this? Do let us know in the comments.

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