Only the greatest kicker in NFL history can beat primetime Baker. For the third time this season, Baker Mayfield shone in the national spotlight on his way to the Browns’ first season with 10 wins since 2007, making Mayfield history itself.
After last week’s devastating loss to the Ravens at Monday Night Football, Mayfield responded by throwing two touchdowns and passing nearly 300 yards in a 20-6 win over the New York Giants. Mayfield now has a total of 66 of 102,859 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions in primetime games this season. He is 2-1 when playing in the 20 hour slot and a Justin Tucker field goal away from 3-0.
After a first half light-out performance against the Giants, Mayfield joined Aaron Rodgers as the only NFL quarterback to have a passer rating of over 135.0 at the half at least four times. By the end of the game, Mayfield (27-of-32) also made Brown’s history with the third highest completion percentage. He now owns the second and third best performances in the team record books.
“It goes back to trusting the guys around me, trusting the guys up front, going through the progression and delivering the ball,” Mayfield told reporters after the game. Let them do the plays. Our protection remains great and these guys keep playing for us. That’s why your confidence is so high. I don’t have to do anything else. It is these guys who do their job. “
One of Mayfield’s five incompleteness came from a pass tipped on the line of scrimmage in fourth place on the opening drive. On the following ride, Mayfield orchestrated their shortest-scoring ride of the night (13 plays, 75 yards, 6:41). Later in the game, Mayfield directed two runs from 95 yards and threw only two incompleteness between the two series.
‘I thought Baker was excellent tonight. He got a call, ”said Browns coach Kevin Stefanski. ‘It is what I expect from him. It is what he expects of himself. It’s how he practices. I really thought he was sharp. “
In Sunday-evening’s game, the Giants had their seventh pass defense in the last three games; two of their opponents were Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson. Mayfield hacked apart a secondary James Bradberry-less by completing passes to eight different players.
“We’re not trying to force anyone to hit the ball,” Mayfield said. “We rely on our progressions and play calls. We take what is there and keep the chains moving. ”
Stefanski plotted a violation that allowed Mayfield to regularly find several open targets. Over the past six weeks, Mayfield revealed that he and Stefanski have worked together to achieve consistent success with attackers.
“We’re really on the same page now,” Mayfield said after the game against NBC’s Michelle Tafoya. “After the farewell week, we sat down and had some good conversations. Open-minded communication. Between Kevin mentioning it and anyone who knows what his job is, we just try to go out and get it done every game. “
After the week 9 hiatus, Mayfield has thrown 10 touchdowns at 1,568 yards and completed 67% of his passes. Most importantly, Mayfield just made one interception. It’s a drastic improvement from last season’s throwing of 28 picks through the 2020 bye week.
In the week 15 matchup, Stefanski added more fuel to the fire by naming Mayfield a game captain. Stefanski selected Mayfield in his first game against former head coach Freddie Kitchens, but downplayed the story to focus on the overall goal: going out and winning.
“Every week I think about what the message will be for that week,” said Stefanski. Baker is a fighter. That was what it would take in this game tonight. “
Mayfield echoed Stefanski’s thoughts after the Browns’ victory securing a sweep against NFC East teams.
‘It’s a big thing for me. Coming from this series of games where we keep building and improving, ”he said. “It’s great for him to do that in a primetime game.”