FantasyPros Accuracy Award

2025 Accuracy Award Winner

Close FantasyPros Accuracy Award
Open Nav
Players
    Articles
      Shark Bites
        Show Navigation
        Show Menu
        FANTASY FOOTBALL NEWS

        How Much Longer Will Joe Flacco Start?

        By Matt Schauf | Updated on Mon, Sep 29 2025 11:38 AM UTC
        Joe Flacco Headshot

        Browns QB Joe Flacco stunk in Sunday's loss at Detroit. He went just 16-of-34 passing with no TDs and a pair of INTs. One came on a legitimately nice catch by Lions CB D.J. Reed after WR Jerry Jeudy went down near the sideline. The other looked like a ball that volunteered to sacrifice itself, floating well beyond anyone wearing the same color as the aged QB. Flacco also took three sacks and lost a fumble. His 184 yards marked a third straight game south of 200. Flacco has also finished three straight games short of 59% completion rates, totaled 6 INTs across his four outings, and decreased his passer rating every week:

        • 75.2
        • 65.0
        • 55.6
        • 39.3

        What They're Saying

        HC Kevin Stefanski, asked after the game whether he'll consider a QB change: "I understand the question, especially when we are struggling the way we are on offense. But that's not our focus right now. To have any success on either side of the ball, you need to play well and play together. Right now, we have too many things going wrong, and we all own that. It isn't because of one player."

        Flacco: "I know what I signed up for. I signed up for coming in and competing for a job and then leading this team to victories. You know that everybody's always being evaluated in this league."

        2025 Fantasy Football Impact

        Flacco's not getting much help from a limited WR corps whose leader -- Jerry Jeudy -- has dropped passes in three of four games. But the 40-year-old QB is obviously a large part of the problem.

        The main thing keeping him in the lineup, though, is the primary reason he got there in the first place: Cleveland doesn't have an answer at the position.

        Third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel is the backup. Fifth-round classmate Shedeur Sanders sits behind him. Gabriel saw his second game action of the season Sunday but has now played 10 total snaps and attempted four passes in garbage-time situations.

        We'll likely see Gabriel get a shot at some point. Not only does Flacco offer no hope, but Cleveland will need to figure out whether it has anything to build with at QB before the 2026 offseason.

        The Browns get another tough defense in a Week 5 European clash with Minnesota. Then come three more games (against softer foes) before the Week 9 bye.

        Other Winners & Losers

        Every Flacco clunker puts us closer to getting Gabriel on the field. We certainly can't consider the rookie a good bet for meaningful passing production, but he'll at least present lots more rushing potential.

        Consider stashing Gabriel in multi-QB formats where he's available, as long as it makes sense for your roster.

        Matt Schauf Author Image
        Matt Schauf, Editor
        Matt has earned two Fantasy Pros accuracy awards for IDP rankings and won thousands of dollars as a player across best ball, dynasty, and high-stakes fantasy formats. He has been creating fantasy football content for more than 20 years, with work featured by Sporting News, Rotoworld, Athlon, Sirius XM, and others. He's been with Draft Sharks since 2011.
        Week 7 Matchups That Matter: Get-Right Spot For Jayden Daniels

        Week 7 Matchups That Matter: Get-Right Spot For Jayden Daniels

        10:10am UTC 10/19/25

        A quick look at the most important matchup data to consider when making Week 7 start/sit decisions. Projected points, WR-CB matchup upgrades and downgrades, and more!

        Read More »
        Week 7 IDP Hits: Who's Your LB Now?

        Week 7 IDP Hits: Who's Your LB Now?

        8:12pm UTC 10/18/25

        Injuries, returns, and lineup renovations meant a lot of playing-time changes in Week 6. Who should you grab? Who should you dump? And what still might change again?

        Read More »
        Week 7 Wide Receiver Preview: Tetairoa McMillan’s Hot Streak Meets a Tough Matchup

        Week 7 Wide Receiver Preview: Tetairoa McMillan’s Hot Streak Meets a Tough Matchup

        4:09pm UTC 10/17/25

        From rookies in plus spots to vets with proven ceilings, these WRs have the matchups to rack up points in Week 7.

        Read More »
        Money Back You have our personal money-back guarantee: If you’re not happy with our service for any reason, just reach out by December 31, 2025, and we’ll give you 100% of your subscription money back. No strings attached.  You can cancel with one-click from your account page anytime.
        Compare Plans » Compare Plans »