Was Joe Flacco secretly sleeping on his competition? The Cleveland Browns quarterback, numbers-wise, didn’t show his age against the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football. He delivered 19 of 29 passing for 309 yards and tossed three touchdowns in the 37-20 romp.
But there was one viral moment where it appeared the 38-year-old Flacco was being defeated by Father Time.
Joe Flacco Goes Viral for Sleepy Moment
Flacco had just surpassed 300 yards for the fourth straight game during the third quarter against the struggling Jets. However, this scene painted a picture of a worn-out veteran who’s already ready to watch his eyelids for the rest of the evening.
when you throw for 300+ yards in 4 straight games and it's past your bedtime pic.twitter.com/BZEBong7JB
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2023
Flacco was seen dosing off at 10:25 p.m. ET inside the Browns’ home venue. Fans immediately had their fun describing the moment.
Flacco Reactions: ‘Someone Hand This Man a Pillow’
Tired Flacco became an instant hit on social media.
“Someone hand this man a pillow,” one fan posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
There were other fans, however, who believed Flacco was secretly “flexing” on his competition — also known as his former team, the Jets.
“Such a flex,” another fan said on X.
Some fans, though, could sympathize with Flacco.
“I’m old and fall asleep at random times too,” the fan posted.
MORE: Could Joe Flacco Win Comeback Player of the Year?
But again, fans have fun with articulating the moment.
“He says its my relaxation time,” one more fan shared.
“Man Joe Flacco throwing for 300+ yards in his sleep,” one last fan said.
Did Flacco Explain Tired Appearance?
Again, the veteran quarterback had the look of dozing off. Flacco was even seen rubbing his hand and fingers on his eyes — a common practice in trying to stay awake.
But was Flacco admittedly falling asleep while in his work uniform? After all, he did manage to finish out the Browns’ win and officially clinch them a playoff berth. Still, his tired state was a topic of discussion.
“I guess our offense was boring me a little bit,” Flacco jokingly acknowledged with the Amazon Prime postgame crew. He also clarified that his eyes were still open during that time.
When Flacco did have his eyes wide open, he was able to locate options like Jerome Ford to start the scoring outburst.
Second effort by Jerome Ford gives the #Browns an opening-drive TD❕pic.twitter.com/DwtNInIt8A
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 29, 2023
He also showed his remaining soft touch to players like David Njoku.
David Njoku out here single-handedly winning fantasy football championships 👀
And, as always, #NFL commentary just better by @NFLBrasil!pic.twitter.com/W3vOLHqi5C
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 29, 2023
Even at his age and nearing his 40s, Flacco can still escape the pressure and turn it into six points.
Joe Flacco again as Jerome Ford does his best BeastMode at the end of another TD score! pic.twitter.com/88r4s6hI9D
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 29, 2023
Flacco fought off fatigue.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
Of course, fans know that he was on the couch to start the year before getting the call from the Browns on Nov. 20. He admitted he had mixed emotions about retiring or returning.
“At some point in my life, I felt like I was going to be done with it for the rest of my life. But I also felt the feeling of being inside a locker room,” he told the Amazon Prime crew.
Another accomplishment that Flacco hit was 13 touchdown passes in the month of December.
That mark ties the career touchdown throws Browns rival Kenny Pickett has with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
38-year old Joe Flacco has 13 passing touchdowns this December.
Kenny Pickett has 13 touchdowns in his career.
— FantasyPros (@FantasyPros) December 29, 2023
Now, Flacco gets the feeling of preparing for a playoff run again, a first for him since the 2018 season with the Baltimore Ravens. He’s had renewed energy and is wide awake with the new talent that surrounds him.
“We’ve got a good team, man. It’s going to be exciting,” Flacco said.
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