Brown, Joe Flacco strikes first with a TD pass to Jerome Ford

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns wasted no time in 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, but that was just the beginning.

With 6:15 remaining in the second quarter, Flacco threw his second TD pass, an eight-yarder to Elijah Moore for a 27-7 lead.

.@JeromeFord Crosses the goal line for Cleveland's opening drive TD!#NYJvsCLE On Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/N4HZXoYgli pic.twitter.com/MbgDAN0ABp

– NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2023

On the opening drive, Flacco also completed two passes to tight end David Njoku for a total of 64 yards, including a 36-yard strike on third-and-15.

Flacco now has 12 touchdown passes since joining the Browns in Week 13. Before that, Cleveland had just nine.

The Browns have scored a touchdown on the opening drive in four of Flacco's five games this season.

After the Jets tied the game 7-7 on a Breece Hall touchdown catch, the Browns marched down the field again on a drive that ended with Kareem Hunt's seven-yard touchdown run. Cleveland missed the next point to keep the score at 13-7.

Ronnie Hickman home! @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 from Ohio State, intercepted Trevor Siemian and returned the turnover 30 yards for a touchdown.

Brown had 20 points in the first quarter of the regular season for the first time since 2016.

Flacco capped off Cleveland's first-half scoring barrage by rushing out of the pocket to his left before finding a wide-open Ford for a 50-yard touchdown. The Browns led 34-17 at halftime.

Cleveland (10-5) can clinch a spot in the AFC playoffs with a win.