CLEVELAND — The Browns are in each the playoffs and an uncommon spot: They will deal with their regular-season finale like a preseason recreation.
With a wild-card berth already locked up, Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski indicated Monday he might relaxation some starters, together with red-hot quarterback Joe Flacco, for Sunday’s ultimate regular-season recreation at Cincinnati.
“We’re working by means of all these issues,” he stated. “We’ll have a plan. Clearly, we wish to end sturdy, so we’ll have a plan transferring ahead.”
This type of state of affairs doesn’t occur typically in Cleveland.
The Browns (11-5) clinched their third postseason look since 1999 on Thursday night time with a win over the New York Jets. They went into the weekend with a distant probability of profitable the AFC North, however these hopes ended when the Baltimore Ravens blasted Miami 56-19.
That makes this week’s recreation in opposition to the Bengals (8-8) meaningless, and Stefanski will contemplate having gamers relaxation and keep away from accidents because the No. 5 seed Browns put together for a wild card-round recreation in opposition to the AFC South champion – Jacksonville, Indianapolis or Houston – on Jan. 13, 14 or 15.
PHOTOS: With playoffs clinched, Browns might relaxation QB Joe Flacco, different starters for finale vs. Bengals
Stefanski burdened nothing has been finalized and he’s weighing all choices. He’s delicate about his workforce staying on a roll.
A win at Cincinnati would give the Browns 12 regular-season wins for simply the second time in franchise historical past. They went 12-4 in 1986.
Stefanski plans to seek the advice of with basic supervisor Andrew Berry and chief technique officer Paul DePodesta, however finally will probably be his name on who performs and who doesn’t.
“Each determination you make, you’re simply attempting to make what’s in the perfect curiosity of your soccer workforce, whether or not you play your guys, relaxation,” he stated. “You possibly can’t relaxation everyone. There’s roster limitations to that, so we took care of enterprise final week, however we now have to complete sturdy. That’s our mentality. That’s what we’re attempting to do.”
Whereas it’s solely the Browns’ second journey to the playoffs since 2002, each have come underneath Stefanski, who may win his second AP NFL Coach of the 12 months Award after navigating a workforce that went 7-10 a 12 months in the past by means of an injury-riddled season.
After all, issues modified with the arrival of Flacco, who has led the Browns to 4 straight wins and thrown for 1,616 yards in 5 begins since he was signed on Nov. 20.
If Flacco sits in opposition to the Bengals, the Browns may go along with P.J. Walker, who has made two begins, or veteran Jeff Driskel, signed off Arizona’s apply squad on Friday.
Stefanski will possible issue Flacco’s choice into his determination.
“The choice I’ll make is for what’s finest for each place, everyone on the workforce,” he stated. “However Joe’s actually a veteran that does an amazing job within the assembly room, does an amazing job on recreation day of letting you realize what he’s seeing.
“It’s actually essential that you simply hearken to your guys, each on this constructing, while you’re working and also you’re in conferences and while you’re on the market within the apply subject, it’s essential to hearken to them on recreation day as effectively.”
Whereas there’s profit in getting gamers rested, there’s a steadiness in getting them prepared.
As has been the case all season, the Browns had been mimicking Stefanski‘s “go 1-0” mantra.
“This week, the main target is on the Cincinnati Bengals,” linebacker Sione Takitaki stated. “They’re going to maintain rating. We wish to go on the market and get that win, and we’re excited for that.”
