Joe Flacco faces unique situation entering Week 18 AFC North showdown

NFL quarterback Joe Flacco might not show up on the final season of Stranger Things, but he likely feels like he's in The Upside Down entering Week 18. But that's just because Flacco is stepping into quite the unique scenario for an NFL quarterback.

Flacco began this season as the quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, who opened the season in Week 1 with an AFC North showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals. Midseason, he was shipped off to Cincinnati as the franchise struggled following an injury to starter Joe Burrow. But with the season's schedule layout, the rubber match between the Bengals and Browns was on the exact opposite end of the schedule. So now, Flacco will enter Week 18 as the quarterback for the Bengals... who are preparing for a divisional clash with the Browns.

This puts Flacco in quite an unusual position. It's not unheard of for a quarterback, or any player at any position, to find themselves on different teams over the course of a season – it happens plenty often. However, for a quarterback to play one who has faced their current squad as a divisional rival to start the season, only to have to play their former team to cap off the year, is not something you'll see often.

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Unfortunately for the storyline, it doesn't appear Flacco will start both games. He was the starter in Week 1 for Cleveland when the Bengals defeated them 17-16, going 31-of-45 for 290 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. But Burrow has returned from injury since Flacco arrived in Cincinnati, as despite his team being eliminated from playoff contention, Burrow will start against the Browns in Week 18. And regardless of whether Flacco hears his number called this weekend or not, he'll be hoping to be on the winning end of this AFC North battle.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Joe Flacco faces unique situation entering Week 18 AFC North showdown