If the Browns win in Houston, Flacco could surpass Tom Brady in playoff rushing records.

It’s been nearly a decade since Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco last appeared in a playoff game. The 38-year-old pass rusher last appeared in the postseason on Jan. 10, 2015, when the Baltimore Ravens fell to the New York Times. British patriot. But don’t let Flacco’s long playoff layoff start a potential record that could become a reality by next Saturday in Houston if the Browns win.

Yes, that’s great. Flacco is looking to lead the Browns’ wild-card game against the Texans to their eighth straight playoff victory, surpassing seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady for the most by an NFL quarterback.

December 10, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Joe Flacco (15) throws a pass in the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Flacco’s road playoff record for the Ravens from 2008-18 is 7-5. He’s only been invited in the playoffs and played twice at home in the postseason, which partly explains why he’s had so much success against big-hitting quarterbacks like Brady. “Any time you go to the playoffs and win a football game, no matter where you are, there’s a part of you that feels proud,” Flacco told reporters Tuesday. “We will work every day: to be in this position and play these kinds of games. I think we all need to come back to our senses. We have earned the right to play this Saturday and you should get something out of it. Once you get the courage to go outside, nothing else matters.

Flacco has posted two straight playoff wins in his career. The first was as a rookie in 2009 and again in 2013, the year the Ravens won the Super Bowl. Flacco led Baltimore to a victory over the Broncos, a game known as the Mile High Miracle, and led the Brady-led Patriots to a Super Bowl appearance that turned into the Ravens’ Lombardi Trophy. Flacco’s success during his short but memorable time with the Browns reflects those accomplishments. Since becoming the starter last December, he has recorded 4 wins and 1 loss. He finished third and eclipsed 300 yards passing in each of his last four starts.

His surprising comeback has made the Browns the best playoff story in the league, and the Browns will need Flacco to not only break their road playoff record, but set a new road winning streak to keep it going. Cleveland, the fifth seed, has a slim chance to make the playoffs at Cleveland Browns Stadium. If the Browns win this week, their playoff trip could end up going past Baltimore, Buffalo or Kansas City. But after sending the Browns to the playoffs with one of the most improbable comebacks the NFL has ever seen, it looks like Flacco could be moving on in Cleveland.

Anthony Poisal is a freelance writer covering the Cleveland Browns for BetOhio.com. He previously worked as a writer for the Browns’ team website and is a graduate of Ohio State University.