2023 NFL playoff picture: How white-hot Joe Flacco, surging Browns can win AFC North, land AFC No. 1 seed

If you’re feeling nostalgic and wondering why, don’t immediately pinpoint the holidays — it might very well be Joe Flacco making the world feel like it was 2013 all over again. A decade ago, January Joe set the world on fire with an all-time playoff run that netted the Ravens a Super Bowl victory and Flacco a couple of big bags. 

Flacco improbably has the 2023 Browns officially in the playoffs, thanks to a 37-20 win over the Jets to open Week 17. Lest you think the 38-year-old veteran is riding an elite defense’s coattails, peep the stats: Flacco went 19 of 29 for 309 yards and three touchdowns against New York. Yes, he threw a pick-six, but he and David Njoku exploded in the first half with the tight end finishing with 134 yards. 

Flacco’s now dropped four straight games with at least 300 passing yards and two passing touchdowns, making him the first QB to do so in a season since Patrick Mahomes in 2020. The Browns are 4-1 in his starts, making Flacco the perfect poster boy for 2023, the Year of the Backup in the NFL. 

How far can the Browns go with Flacco under center? At 11-5, they’re locked into the playoffs after this win over the Jets. However, I’m curious to see if they can crack the door not just for the AFC North but the No. 1 seed in the AFC as well. 

Let’s be clear here: This is HIGHLY unlikely. But here’s how it can happen.

Step 1: Win out 

This was and remains a must for the Browns to get the top seed. After beating the Jets, Cleveland plays the Bengals on the road to close out the season and will likely be favored in that matchup. Losing this matchup, however, puts the dream of a division title and the No. 1 seed to bed.

Step 2: Win the AFC North (with…