Browns Can Still Bounce Back, but Mayfield Needs to Get His Mojo Going
Famous blues guitarist Muddy Waters once sang, “Got my mojo working, but it just won’t work on you.” It’s been the story of the Cleveland Browns’ season recently, since quarterback Baker Mayfield suffered a rash of injuries. Mayfield has endured shoulder problems, foot problems and a groin issue. The Cleveland Browns QB was noticeably limping onto the field during the recent Browns-Ravens game, reminiscent of Patrick Mahomes playing in Super Bowl LV with an injured toe. At the Sunday night matchup on Nov. 28, Mayfield completed less than 50% of his passes and took two sacks. The quarterback did throw for 247 yards and a touchdown, but it wasn’t enough. Cleveland’s offense failed to capitalize on Ravens QB Lamar Jackson throwing a career high four interceptions. Baltimore kept the lead throughout the game and won 16-10.
Mayfield has been playing injured for almost two months, but in spite of his team’s recent loss, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski won’t consider benching his crippled quarterback. At a postgame press conference after Cleveland’s Sunday Night Football disappointment, Stefanski scolded a reporter for even suggesting it. “No. Let me ask you a question, why would we do that? We’re not doing that” the coach said.
Backup quarterback Case Keenum is available, and when he did play earlier this season, he led his team to a 17-14 win over the Denver Broncos. Stefanski, however, won’t hear it. The coach preferred to blame himself, rather than put the onus on Mayfield. “It’s frustrating. It’s very frustrating. To not score enough, it’s always a combination of things – staying on the field on third down, trying to run the ball effectively and getting in the red zone, all those things. But we’re just not doing a good enough job, and that starts with me” he told Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
Stefanski probably believes a much-needed bye week will give Mayfield time to recover and be ok to play for the Browns’ next game, a rematch against the Ravens on Dec. 12 in Cleveland. The QB is not the only player the Browns need to be healthy in time for Week 14. Right tackle Jack Conklin tore his patellar tendon during the Sunday night game and will be out for the rest of the season. While the Browns try to fill the hole Conklin left, two other players are definitely out. LS Charley Hughlett is on COVID reserve, while WR Anthony Schwartz suffered a concussion during the Patriots-Browns game and is still not cleared. RB Kareem Hunt should play in the Ravens rematch, but TE Harrison Bryant is questionable.
Regardless of who can start against the Ravens on the 12th, Cleveland’s long suffering fans deserve a better effort from their team. They endured Art Modell’s betrayal and franchise relocation to, of all places Baltimore and LeBron’s move to L.A. Loyal Browns backers need their players to step up, starting with their next home game.
-Jeff Dahlberg
Twitter: @JeffDahlberg3