QB Joe Flacco isn't worried about trying to be aggressive right from the beginning of the game.
To the 18-year NFL veteran, throwing a checkdown pass or getting a 3-yard run aren't bad outcomes, especially with the challenge awaiting the Browns in Week 3. On Sept. 21, the Browns are set to go up against one of the NFL's top defenses in the Packers. Green Bay is a top three defense overall and a top 10 pass defense in the NFL in terms of yardage, as well as giving up the fourth-fewest number of points.
After a 25 of 45 passing performance from Flacco and just five completions of more than 10 yards through the air in Week 2, Week 3 will be a test for the Browns to rejuvenate their offense.
"Well, I think we're two games into a season," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "I think every team hopes to continue to play better throughout the year and you play better each month, so we get an opportunity this week as a team and certainly as an offense to play better than we did the previous week."
In Week 2 against Baltimore, tight coverage from the secondary forced Flacco to throw the ball short. Against the Ravens, 34 of Flacco's 45 passing attempts thrown less than 10 yards, limiting the electric play factor of the passing game.
"I think each week we're looking at different ways to make things a little bit easier and get guys in some space, because anytime you get good athletes in space, that's when big plays happen," Flacco said. "That's what you need to do in this league in order to put points on the board is get some of those chunk plays."
WR Jerry Jeudy said that there's also a benefit in taking what the defense gives in addition to getting chunk plays. He pointed out that if the defense gives the Browns a 5-yard route on a deep shot play, then the Browns need to take the short gain. Instead of playing into the defense's coverage and throwing deep, Jeudy emphasized playing smart and playing the Browns' brand of football.
When facing Green Bay in Week 3, Flacco could have to take the short gain in order to move the ball through the air. Against the Packers' defense in Week 2, Commanders QB Jayden Daniels completed three of his 11 passes that went more than 10 yards. However, that isn't a concern for Flacco having to play the short game. He said with each play, the drive is progressing down the field towards the ultimate goal of scoring – whether that's through 15-yard plays or 5-yard plays.
"Each game plan brings its specific challenges to go out there and you're always doing things a little bit differently. But ultimately, I think we're working towards something and we're doing a pretty good job," Flacco said. "Just because you're not going out there and throwing for 350 a game, you have to be able to stay patient and continue to do what we're doing and make little adjustments. It's just little things."
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 3 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
A helmet during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Joshua Miles (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Joshua Miles (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Joshua Miles (66) and Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Joshua Miles (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Joshua Miles (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive guard Zak Zinter (70) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Cornerback Tre Avery (28) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Safety Christopher Edmonds (41) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
A helmet during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Cornerback Tre Avery (28) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Defensive back Jarrick Bernard-Converse (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
A helmet during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Cornerback Tre Avery (28) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
While Flacco's wide receivers are going to be covered by the Packers secondary in Week 3, the Green Bay front four is going to be collapsing upon Flacco. DL Micah Parsons leads the front four that has combined for eight sacks and 21 quarterback hits through two weeks.
As a result, Stefanski said that the Browns need to play together to withstand a front like the Packers. In each of their first two games, the Browns have allowed two sacks, requiring more cohesive offense play in order to limit the pressure Flacco faces in the pocket.
"Certainly, understand that they have multiple guys that they can throw at you on the outside. On the inside that can rush the passer. That means it's important for the offense to play together, play sound, play assignment, trust rules," Stefanski said. "Running backs, tight ends getting involved in protection and then quarterbacks making quick decisions and wide receivers getting open quickly. When you're facing a great rush team like we're facing and I'm sure it's very similar when teams play us in our rush, you understand it takes everybody to be about your business to be able to play productive football."
Flacco will be in charge of diagnosing the pressure that the Packers are bringing pre-snap in order to keep the play intact post-snap. He's also responsible for making sure that the offense is able to run efficiently with him behind center. As Flacco continues down the path of being the Browns' starter, he will keep repping with the offense and building relationships in order to accomplish that goal. And Jeudy believes that chemistry is going to pay off offensively.
"I feel like once we start clicking, it's going to just trickle down from there," Jeudy said. "I feel like we have a great group out there that knows what to do and are ready to do that."
