The Indianapolis Colts brought the NFL’s top-rated defense to FirstEnergy Stadium for Sunday’s game against the Browns. Baker Mayfield and the Browns had little trouble making it look a lot less formidable than the Colts expected in the first half.
The Browns put up 20 points, 284 total yards of offense and 16 first downs in the first half. Punter Jamie Gillan had nothing to do except hold for the two extra points and two Cody Parkey field goals in Cleveland’s impressive surge to a 20-10 lead after the first two quarters.
The Colts had allowed 11, 8 and 11 points total in the last three games, all wins. Cleveland gained almost as many yards in the first four offensive drives than the Chicago Bears did for the entire game (289) last Sunday.
Not having LB Darius Leonard is obviously a factor, but the Browns offense was consistently a step ahead of the Colts defense in the first half. It was a masterful game plan from head coach Kevin Stefanski and one executed pretty darn well by QB Baker Mayfield and his mates.