CLEVELAND, OH – Lost amidst all of the Myles Garrett backlash in a 21-7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers has been the quiet and steady play of Baker Mayfield.
Normally, the words “quiet’ and steady’ wouldn’t be the terms to best describe the very-outspoken and unapologetically vocal Heisman Trophy winner out of Oklahoma, but in his last three games, Mayfield has completed 61.9 percent of his passes, thrown five touchdowns, zero interceptions while compiling a passer rating of 95.2.
In leading the Browns to a 2-1 mark over their last three games, Mayfield has averaged 234.6 yards and taken much better care of the ball in not turning it over once. For the season, Mayfield has completed 59.2 percent of his passes for 2,394 yards, 11 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a passer rating of 76.8
What has led the turnaround? Perhaps it’s head coach Freddie Kitchens going back to basics and letting Baker be Baker or that the much-touted high-powered offense is finally beginning to gel, but it certainly took a major leap forward with the recent addition of running back Kareem Hunt in a two-back set with 1,000-yard rusher Nick Chubb, which is causing defenses to be more honest, allowing Mayfield take shots downfield for big plays.
TE David Njoku is set to be activated off of IR and eligible to play at Pittsburgh, giving Mayfield another weapon to use.
As the Browns begin their run for the playoffs, and appear to finally resemble the team that many expected to see in the pre-season, watch for Mayfield—and his production to go up—as Cleveland is about to become a problem.