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Jake Trotter, ESPN Staff Writer
CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Browns wasted no time jumping on the New York Jets on Thursday night.
Quarterback Joe Flacco found running back Jerome Ford for a seven-yard touchdown pass on the opening drive, giving the Browns a 7-0 lead.
.@JeromeFord crosses the goal line for an opening drive TD for Cleveland!#NYJvsCLE on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/N4HZXoYgli pic.twitter.com/MbgDAN0ABp— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2023
Flacco also completed two passes to tight end David Njoku totaling 64 yards, including a 36-yard strike on third-and-15. Flacco now has 11 touchdown passes since joining the Browns in Week 13. Before that, Cleveland had only nine touchdown passes.
The Browns have scored a touchdown on the opening drive in four of Flacco’s five starts this season.
After the Jets had tied the game 7-7 on a Breece Hall touchdown catch, the Browns marched the field again in a drive ending with a seven-yard Kareem Hunt touchdown run. Cleveland missed the point-after to keep the score at 13-7.
Ronnie Hickman to the house! @asvprocket_#NYJvsCLE on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/N4HZXoYgli pic.twitter.com/EByumG2pdh— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2023
The Browns defense also got in on the action in the first quarter. Ronnie Hickman, an undrafted rookie out of Ohio State, intercepted Trevor Siemian and returned the turnover 30 yards for a touchdown.
The Browns have 20 points in a regular-season first quarter for the first time since 2016.
Cleveland (10-5) can clinch a spot in the AFC playoffs with a victory.