Joe Flacco has finally emerged as the gridiron messiah that the Cleveland Browns have yearned for! When it comes to NFL rivalries, deciphering and ranking them can be challenging. Yet, for the Dawg Pound faithful, the disdain for the Baltimore Ravens and the irritation at the Cincinnati Bengals are dwarfed by an entirely different sentiment toward the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Steelers are the Browns’ adversaries, with a history stretching back to the pre-merger days with the AFL. Together, they laid the foundations of the AFC Central turned AFC North. However, for years, it’s been a tale of Pittsburgh dominance, a storyline etched in the annals of the AFC North. Cue the entrance of Joe Flacco, the quarterback extraordinaire, and suddenly, the Browns rewrote the script.

Joe Flacco’s Browns: Poised to outshine Steelers in season finale

With Joe Flacco calling the shots, the Browns are set to wrap up the season flaunting a superior record to the Steelers! The news dropped like a bombshell on social media platform ‘X,’ courtesy of JPA Football. with the caption, “The #Browns will finish the season with a better record than the #Steelers for the first time in 34 years… absolutely wild.”

Historically, the Steelers have held a firm grip, boasting an 81-63-1 record against the Browns. There were times when Cleveland seemed to be playing catch-up, often landing a rare win. Remember that stretch from November 2003 to January 2012? Cleveland lost 16 of 17 matchups against their black-and-gold nemesis.

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But it’s the win-loss columns that shape the narratives of seasons. Until this year, the Steelers had not only claimed victory on the field but also in the standings. The last time the Browns could boast a better record than the Steelers at season’s end? Flashback to 1989.

AFC North chessboard: Cleveland fans turn Steelers supporters?

Under the Thursday Night Football lights, Joe Flacco orchestrated a masterclass. Propelling the Browns to a resounding victory over the New York Jets, igniting the flames of Week 17. For Cleveland, it marked a significant milestone, clinching only their third playoff triumph since their NFL return in 1999. As we fast-forward to 2023, the Browns stand at an impressive 11-5, basking in the glow of an impending playoff berth. Contrastingly, the Pittsburgh Steelers stand at 8-7, teetering on the edge.

In a season filled with unexpected turns, Cleveland fans might find themselves cheering for the arch-rival Steelers in Week 18. If the Miami Dolphins manage to topple the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17 and the Browns secure a win of their own, the stage would be set. Cleveland, would need the Steelers to triumph over the Ravens in Week 18, coupled with a Dolphins loss and a Browns victory. The result? The AFC North crown would finally find a home in Cleveland for the first time ever.

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