Only the best kicker in NFL history can beat Baker. For the third time this season, Baker Mayfield shone under national focus on the road to the Browns ’first 10-win season since 2007. In doing so, Mayfield made history himself.
After last week’s devastating Football Monday night loss to the Ravens, Mayfield responded by throwing two touchdowns and nearly 300 yards going on in a 20-6 win over the New York Giants. Mayfield has added 66 of 102, 859 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions in first-hour games this season. It’s 2-1 when he plays in the 8 p.m. slot and a Justin Tucker field goal off 3-0.
After a shutdown in the first half against the Giants, Mayfield accompanied Aaron Rodgers as the only NFL quarterback to have a pass score above 135.0 in the half at least four times. At the end of the game, Mayfield (27 of 32) also made Browns history with the third highest percentage of game completion. He now owns the second and third most outstanding performance of the team records.
“It’s about trusting the guys around me, trusting the guys up front, going through the progressions and handing the ball,” Mayfield told reporters after the game. “Let them make the plays. Our protection is still fantastic and these guys keep playing with us. That’s why your confidence is so high. I don’t have to do anything else. It’s these guys who do their job. “
One of Mayfield’s five incompletions arose from a sloping pass to the mixing line in the fourth down of the opening unit. In the next unit, Mayfield orchestrated his shortest score of the night (13 plays, 75 yards, 6:41). Later in the game, Mayfield twice directed 95-yard touchdowns and only threw two incompletions between the two series.
“I thought Baker was great tonight. They marked him, “said Browns coach Kevin Stefanski.” It’s what I expect of him. It’s what he expects of himself. It’s how he practices. I really thought he was clear. “
Arriving at the game on Sunday night, the Giants had the passing defense of the seventh-ranked team during the last three games; two of his opponents were Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson. Mayfield cut a high without James Bradberry completing passes to eight different players.
“We don’t try to force the ball on anyone,” Mayfield said. “We are confident in our progress and our calls. We take what is there and keep the chains moving ”.
Stefanski planned an offense that allowed Mayfield to frequently find several open targets. For the past six weeks, Mayfield has revealed that he and Stefanski have been working collaboratively to achieve consistent success in attack.
“We’re really on the same page right now,” Mayfield told Michelle Tafoya of NBC after the game. “After the week of dismissal, we sat down and had good conversations. Open-minded communication. Between Kevin calling him and everyone knows what his job is, we just try to get out there and do every job. ”
After a stoppage of the season in Week 9, Mayfield threw 10 touchdowns in 1,568 yards and completed 67% of his passes. Most importantly, Mayfield just threw an interception. It is a drastic improvement in launching 28 selections from last season until the week 2020.
Arriving at the 15-week clash, Stefanski added more fuel to Mayfield’s name as captain of the game. Stefanski selected Mayfield in his first game against former head coach Freddie Kitchens, but downplayed the narrative to focus on the overall goal of coming out on top.
“Every week, I think about what this week’s message will be,” Stefanski said. “Baker is a fighter. That’s what should be demanded tonight in this game. “
Mayfield echoed Stefanski’s thoughts after the Browns ’victory secured a sweep against the NFC East teams.
“It simply came to our notice then. Leaving this stretch of games in which we continue to build and improve, ”he said. “For him to do that in a primetime game is fantastic.”