By now, Browns’ quarterback Joe Flacco is synonymous with the word “elite.” His status among the NFL’s best in all of history has been debated by anyone who consumes the sport.

He is a former Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl MVP, but he has always had a puzzling story. Sometimes his stats did not back up his perception, and it brought his ranking among the league’s best into question.

What cannot be questioned or debated this year is where he stands in the league since his return. He became the Browns starter in Week 13 in Los Angeles and has been on fire since.

At 59 percent completion, he has thrown for 1,321 yards and ten touchdowns. Since that first start in Los Angeles, no quarterback has thrown for more yards or more touchdowns than the 38-year-old Flacco.

He has regained the hope of this team, this franchise, and this fan base. He is three-and-one as a starter and has won in three different ways. He had a wire-to-wire battle with the Jaguars, a comeback win over the Bears, and a record-setting beatdown of the Texans.

With Flacco at the helm, the sky is the limit for this Browns team. After setting the NFL’s record for yards this season, Amari Cooper gave Flacco his flowers. He said,

As the AFC stands today, the Browns have the third-best record in the conference. While they chase the Ravens and the Dolphins, it is looking like they will finish as the fifth seed in the AFC, taking on the last division leader.

With Flacco at the controls, there isn’t any team the Browns can’t beat. It is safe to say that the Browns’ version of Joe Flacco is elite.