Tag: Cleveland Browns vs. New York Giants

Baker Mayfield was PFF’s top-graded QB in Week 15

Mayfield has earned an elite score in two of the last three games

Baker Mayfield had himself an elite evening in New York on Sunday. The Browns quarterback carved apart the Giants defense with precision over and over again in Cleveland’s 20-6 victory.

Mayfield completed 27 of his 32 pass attempts, netting 297 yards and two touchdowns. He did not turn the ball over, and two of the incompletions were intentional throwaways to avoid a sack. The numbers don’t even do justice to how well Mayfield was firing the ball into tight windows at exactly the right place and time all night.

For the outstanding performance on national television, Mayfield earned the highest QB game grade from Pro Football Focus in Week 15. Mayfield was the only quarterback to top 90, their threshold for an elite grade. His overall PFF grade of 92.2 and passing grade of 92.4 are both the best in the week’s results.

It’s the second time in three weeks Mayfield has topped a 90.0 grade. He also did so in Week 13, the win over the Titans.

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Baker Mayfield shines in the record books in Browns win over Giants

Mayfield was fantastic under the bright lights in New York

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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.

“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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4 quick takeaways from the Browns win over the Giants

Here are four quick takeaways from the Browns’ impressive win over the Giants.

The Cleveland Browns passed their Sunday night test in New York. The Browns defeated the Giants in a methodical 20-6 win in Week 15 to end the Sunday action.

The Browns improve to 10-4 with the win, the team’s first 10-win season since 2007. It was not a blowout but the outcome wasn’t really ever in doubt after halftime.

Here are four quick takeaways from the Browns’ impressive win over the Giants.

America reacts to the Browns cracking the 10-win barrier

The Browns are 10-4 and Twitter is happy about it

The Cleveland Browns are 10-4? The Cleveland Browns are 10-4!

It’s been awhile since the Browns hit the double-digit win mark. Sunday night’s 20-6 win over the Giants in New York marked the first time since 2007 the Browns hit 10 wins on a season. They’ve topped 10 wins in a year just twice in the last 40 seasons.

It’s a momentous accomplishment for the young Browns and head coach Kevin Stefanski, another strong step forward for the emerging collection of impressive talent and teamwork.

The social media reaction to the Browns nabbing the long-elusive 10th win showed the cathartic effect of having a good football team in Cleveland.

Browns inactives and lineup changes for Sunday Night Football vs. Giants

Denzel Ward is back while the Giants make Daniel Jones inactive

The Cleveland Browns announced their pregame inactive list for tonight’s Sunday Night Football matchup with the New York Giants.

Starting linebacker Mack Wilson headlines the list of three starters that will not play at MetLife Stadium. Wilson is a healthy scratchy after not being previously listed on the injury report. Rookie Jacob Phillips will start in his place.

Chris Hubbard will start at right guard for Wyatt Teller (ankle) and Sheldrick Redwine is set to fill in at free safety for Andrew Sendejo (concussion). Wide receiver Marvin Hall, defensive end Joe Jackson and cornerback Robert Jackson are also inactive for tonight’s prime time matchup.

The Browns get back cornerback Denzel Ward, tight end Austin Hooper and wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge. Ward (calf) missed the last three games and Hodge (hamstring) has been out the last two contests. Hooper did not play last week with a neck injury.

David Njoku (knee) will also play after previously being ruled questionable.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski has named Baker Mayfield for tonight’s game against former head coach Freddie Kitchens. Giants offensive coordinator Jason Garrett was placed on the COVID-list earlier this week, resulting in Kitchens taking over play-calling duties.

The Giants will officially be without starting quarterback Daniel Jones. Former Browns quarterback Colt McCoy is set to start in his place.

Former Cleveland right guard Kevin Zeitler (shoulder) will play after a questionable designation. Tight ends Evan Engram and Kaden Smith — who were also both listed as questionable with knee injuries — will play tonight.

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Browns vs. Giants: How to watch, listen, stream the Week 15 game

The Browns are back in prime time

The Browns are back on prime time for the second week in a row. After Monday night’s loss at home to Baltimore, Cleveland looks to get back to the winning ways in New York against the Giants.

It’s a game rife with playoff implications for both teams. The Giants trail Washington by a game in the NFC East, but New York would win the division in the case of a tie by virtue of sweeping the Football Team this year. The Browns are looking to stay atop the AFC Wild Card standings.

Cleveland Browns (9-4) at New York Giants (5-8)

  • 8:15 p.m. ET
  • MetLife Stadium, New York

The game is a nationally televised matchup on NBC. Mike Tirico slides into the booth next to Cris Collinsworth with Al Michaels unavailable due to COVID-19 protocols.

Live streaming

Radio

The Browns flagship stations in Cleveland are 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX, and 850 AM WKNR.

The full list of Browns radio affiliates around Ohio and the midwest includes over 25 stations. Check the local availability here via the Browns official site. 

On SiriusXM NFL Radio, the Browns home feed will be broadcast on Channel 225 and streaming on Channel 807.

Odds

The Browns are 6.5-point favorites on the latest line at BetMGM. That’s up from the 4.5-point opening during the week.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Browns elevate OL Michael Dunn from the practice squad

This is Dunn’s second time with a standard elevation

The Cleveland Browns elevated offensive lineman Michael Dunn from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday night’s matchup with the New York Giants.

Dunn will fill in the opening along the line with starting right guard Wyatt Teller ruled out with an ankle injury. Veteran Chris Hubbard will start in place of Teller, which opens the door for Dunn to step up as depth. Like Hubbard, Dunn is capable of playing both tackle and guard.

This is the second time Dunn has been elevated to the active roster for game day. He also played up in Week 9. In Week 11, Dunn was elevated as a COVID-19 replacement, which doesn’t count against his promotion opportunities.

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Baker Mayfield knows beating Giants ‘would mean a ton’ to Odell Beckham Jr.

Beckham is injured and will miss the revenge game against his old Giants team

Odell Beckham Jr. can only watch on Sunday as his Cleveland Browns play against his old team, the New York Giants. What was supposed to be a triumphant return to New York for the Browns’ wideout will have to wait.

Or he can live vicariously through his teammates. Quarterback Baker Mayfield seems fine with bearing that weight.

“This one would mean a ton to (Beckham),” Mayfield told reporters this week. “Not necessarily in a revenge way, but whenever you play a team that you are familiar with — I had the same thing in college going back and playing Texas Tech — it means a lot to you. We are going to play for him because he is one of our guys so we need to do that.”

Beckham spent his first five seasons with the Giants and became a superstar in the bright lights of New York. He’s had two uneven, injury-laden seasons with the Browns since the blockbuster trade, and he’s on injured reserve now after tearing his ACL in Week 7.

It appears to be a much bigger deal for New York media that Beckham isn’t playing than it is for the 9-4 Browns themselves. But Mayfield spoke for many teammates who want to help their injured mate enjoy the return trip to New York.

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Behind Enemy Lines with Giants Wire to break down Week 15

Behind Enemy Lines with Giants Wire to break down Week 15

Cleveland heads to New York for the first of two straight games in the same stadium. Up first is a meeting with the Giants in Week 15.

New York is 5-8 but still very much alive for the NFC East title. The Giants have some injury issues under head coach Joe Judge, but they’ve proven successful over the last few weeks after a miserable start.

Where are the Giants at now, and how much of a threat are they to the Browns? For answers to those questions, as well as an update on some former Browns now on Big Blue, I turned to Giants Wire and editor Dan Benton for a few questions about the matchup.

New York rattled off four wins in a row before falling to Arizona last week. What was the biggest key to the successful surge?

It was really all about steady improvement from the entire team. The Giants had been grinding away all season and felt like they were always this close to winning games, and that four-game stretch was when things finally came together. They were outcoached and outclassed against Arizona, but that may have been an exception to the rule rather than the rule itself. They’re the youngest team in the league and have a first-time head coach, new staff, new systems and were thrown into the fire without a full offseason and no preseason — it was a recipe for disaster so for the team to even be where they are is a testament to Joe Judge & Co. They need to shake that Arizona loss off and get back to focusing on the fundamentals and playing disciplined football.

What’s going on with Daniel Jones at QB, both short-term and for the future?

Prior to that terrible game in Arizona where the offensive line surrendered nine QB hits and six sacks of a one-legged quarterback, Daniel Jones had been performing at a high level. Analytically, he was a top 10 quarterback league-wide and had strung together some of the highest-graded games of his career. He was among the league’s most elite rushing quarterbacks and his actual completion percentage was higher than his expected completion percentage, which speaks volumes about his accuracy considering Giants wide receivers average league-low separation (over 1.20 yards below the league average per route run).

What Jones needs to do now is swallow some pride, sit on the bench and heal up. And what the Giants need to do is find him some wide receivers that can create more than 1.55 yards of separation and actually catch the football. Hard to find success in this league when your skill position players can’t separate and then are top seven in dropped passes.

How are the former Browns, Jabrill Peppers and Kevin Zeitler, faring for the Giants?

For Kevin Zeitler, it’s about what you’d expect. He’s a consummate professional and his play is consistently above average. He’s never really going to blow anyone away as the elite of the elite, but he’s a reliable rock at right guard and by far the team’s best offensive lineman. As far as Peppers is concerned, phew… Where do we begin? Thank goodness general manager Dave Gettleman demanded him as part of the Odell Beckham Jr. trade. Paired with Logan Ryan, Peppers is having his best season as a pro and deserves consideration as both a Pro Bowler and All-Pro. He’s just an absolute wrecking ball on the field defensively, contributes on special teams and has evolved into a locker room leader. He’s really everything you’d want in a player across the board.

What matchup with the Browns favors New York the most, and which one scares you from a Giants perspective?

Prior to James Bradberry landing on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, I would have said Patrick Graham vs. Baker Mayfield was the Giants’ best matchup. As physically gifted as Mayfield is, he’s still adjusting to reading defenses and no coordinator disguises his defense better than Graham. That will still be the case come Sunday night, but having a true lockdown CB1 really helps things along. Without Bradberry, the Giants’ corner depth is nearly nonexistent and limits what the team can do in the secondary. As far as the Browns’ advantage, that one is simple: Myles Garrett vs. Andrew Thomas and Cam Fleming. Good luck to whichever quarterback is under center for New York.

Who wins and why?

Without James Bradberry, optimism has left the room. Add in that Daniel Jones now has two bum legs and things are not shaping up well. If he can’t play, Colt McCoy steps in and I simply don’t have enough faith in him to carry the team in a potential shootout. It’s a bad situation for the Giants. Going with Cleveland in this one and it has the potential to get ugly.

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Jarvis Landry: ‘I was not opposed’ to the Browns firing Freddie Kitchens

Landry spoke for a lot of teammates who weren’t sad to see Freddie leave

One of the lasting memories of the Cleveland Browns frustrating 2019 campaign came in the Week 15 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Wide receiver Jarvis Landry animatedly argued with head coach Freddie Kitchens with several very interested Browns players watching closely.

Kitchens is now gone, while Landry is having a strong season on the vastly improved Browns. They’ll face off in New York on Sunday with Kitchens taking over the play-calling duties for the Giants with OC Jason Garrett sidelined with COVID-19.

Landry diplomatically expressed his approval of the team moving on from Kitchens.

“I was not opposed to it,’’ Landry said on Thursday when asked if he wanted Kitchens to get fired by Cleveland last year. “I can only do my job and trust that the staff and the organization are going to be able to put somebody in place, whether that continued to be Freddie or Coach Kevin (Stefanski) as it is now obviously, to make sure that we can get on the right track and be a winning football team.”

When pressed, Landry elaborated a little more on his rocky relationship with Kitchens’ coaching and the disappointing 2019 season on the whole.

“It definitely was a frustrating season for a lot of people,’’ Landry said. “That’s just kind of how the NFL is. It’s kind of how it works. Each game you go into, it is any given Sunday, anybody can beat you and you have to play your ‘A’ game. I do not want to go back too much into last year, but I just did not think that the season ended the way that anybody wanted it to.”

Don’t expect any grandiose gestures by Landry or the Browns, not in the manner of presenting the ball to Hue Jackson in the infamous Bengals incident in 2018. But do expect the Browns players to try and take out some pent-up frustration against their old coach.