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Only the greatest kicker in NFL history can beat primetime Baker. For the third time this season, Baker Mayfield shone under the national spotlight in route to the Browns’ first 10-win season since 2007. In doing so, Mayfield made history himself.
Following last week’s devastating loss on Monday Night Football against the Ravens, Mayfield responded by tossing two touchdowns and nearly 300 yards passing in a 20-6 win over the New York Giants. Mayfield has now totaled 66-of-102, 859 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions in primetime games this season. He is 2-1 when playing in the 8 p.m. slot and a Justin Tucker field goal away from being 3-0.
After a lights-out performance in the first half against the Giants, Mayfield accompanied Aaron Rodgers as the only NFL quarterback to have a passer rating exceeding 135.0 at the half at least four times. By the end of the game, Mayfield (27-of-32) also made Browns history with the third-highest game completion percentage. He now owns the second and third sharpest performances in the team record books.
How about this stat via @NFL / @NFLResearch
Anytime you’re in the same company as Aaron Rodgers, I’d say that’s a good thing. #Browns pic.twitter.com/pPZwsCM33n
— Kyle Kelly (@ByKyleKelly) December 21, 2020
Baker Mayfield now has the 2nd- and 3rd-best single-game completion percentages (min. 15 attempts) in Browns history.
Nov. 11, 2018 vs. Falcons – 85% (17-20)
Tonight: 84.3 (27-32)Vinny Testaverde holds the record (91.3%)
— Andrew Gribble (@Andrew_Gribble) December 21, 2020
“It goes back to trusting the guys around me, trusting the guys up front, going through the progressions and delivering the ball,” Mayfield told reporters after the game. “Let them make the plays. Our protection continues to be great and these guys continue to make plays for us. That’s why thee confidence is so high. I don’t have to do anything else. It’s these guys doing their job.”
One of Mayfield’s five incompletions came off of a pass tipped at the line of scrimmage on fourth down of the opening drive. On the next drive, Mayfield orchestrated their shortest scoring drive of the night (13 plays, 75 yards, 6:41). Later in the game, Mayfield directed scoring drives of 95 yards twice and only threw two incompletions between the two series.
“I thought Baker was outstanding tonight. He was dialed in,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. “It’s what I expect from him. It’s what he expects from himself. It’s how he practices. I really thought he was sharp.”
Coming into Sunday night’s game, the Giants had the seventh-ranked pass defense through the last three games; two of their opponents were Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson. Mayfield carved apart a James Bradberry-less secondary by completing passes to eight different players.
“We’re not trying to force the ball to anybody,” Mayfield said. “We are trusting our progressions and play calls. We’re taking what is there and keeping the chains moving.”
Stefanski schemed an offense that allowed Mayfield to frequently find several open targets. Over the past six weeks, Mayfield revealed he and Stefanski have been working in collaboration to achieve consistent success on offense.
“We’re just really on the same page right now,” Mayfield told NBC’s Michelle Tafoya after the game. “After the bye week, we sat down and had some good conversations. Open-minded communication. Between Kevin calling it and everyone knowing what their job is, we just try to go out there and accomplish it each play.”
Following the season break in Week 9, Mayfield has thrown for 10 touchdowns on 1,568 yards and has completed 67% of his passes. Most importantly, Mayfield has just thrown one interception. It’s a drastic improvement from throwing 28 picks from last season through the 2020 bye week.
Coming into 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 narrative to focus on the overall goal which was to go out and win.
“Every week, I think about what the message is going to be for that week,” Stefanski said. “Baker is a fighter. That’s what was going to be required tonight in this game.”
Mayfield echoed Stefanski’s thoughts following the Browns win that secured a sweep against NFC East teams.
“It’s a big thing for me. Coming off this stretch of games where we are continuing to build and improve,” he said. “For him to do that in a primetime game is great.”
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