When Joe Flacco first touched down in Cleveland it was due to an emergency quarterback situation.

He quickly changed that.

Flacco has embraced the Cleveland Browns, throwing for more than 300 yards three times through Week 16. He has looked like the best quarterback to dawn a Browns uniform. And for his play, the city of Cleveland has embraced Flacco fully.

The love and adoration have shocked Flacco, and he often describes the fans in Cleveland as giving him a “surreal” feeling.

“I can’t say enough about how welcoming everybody has been,” Flacco said. “Especially – that is the one strange part, I would say. Not necessarily putting on the uniform and playing, but just coming from Baltimore for most of my career and just seeing everybody out in your regular part of your day and how welcoming the city’s been. Back to the surreal thing, that would probably be a good answer for that. It’s definitely been a little bit surreal in terms of how people have treated me around here. That stuff always feels good, so hopefully, we keep going.”

Flacco’s relationship with Baltimore is what makes the love from Cleveland interesting.

Everyone knows the history. They know how the Browns were ripped from Cleveland and became the Ravens, only for the Browns to be reborn again. Art Modell isn’t a name that gets love near the lake.

Yet, Baltimore’s prodigal son has found a short-term home in Cleveland. Baltimore’s Super Bowl-winning quarterback has a chance to clinch a spot in the NFL Playoff for Cleveland.

The saying goes reality is often better than a movie. This is one of those cases. With all the history, all the story, and the uncertainty, it is a character from Baltimore who swooped in to save the Browns’ season.

It feels so improbable. But sometimes that is just life.

The New York Jets and Cleveland Browns kickoff at 8:15 p.m. Thursday.