The Cleveland Browns made a statement this Sunday.
Their standout 41-35 win against the Tennessee Titans sends a loud message to the rest of the league: they are the real deal.
In a matchup of two playoff teams, the Browns dominated, silencing critics that question their legitimacy.
They did it in a variety of ways, too.
While the dominance of their running game has been obvious all season, their attack in the air was on full display.
Baker Mayfield had his breakout game for this season, throwing for 334 yards and 4 TDs.
Defensively, the team was able to lock down the leading NFL rusher and MVP candidate Derrick Henry.
In their win, there are a variety of things that we learned and stood out.
Here are the biggest:
1. If Mayfield Performs, The Offense Is Deadly
Mayfield proved his worth this week.
The former No. 1 overall pick has been performing better the last few weeks.
He went the entire month of November without throwing an interception, just one of two QBs to do so.
His performance improved even more against the Titans.
He was calm and collected in the pocket, even when Tennessee broke through the offensive line’s defense.
Poised and under control, Mayfield constantly found the open target and hit them consistently.
The throws weren’t one dimensional either, as he worked each tier of the field.
Here is one where he went up-top to Donovan Peoples-Jones:
75-yard TD❗️@bakermayfield finds @dpeoplesjones for six!
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/lF3XS1AEex
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 6, 2020
He also stood out in the RedZone.
.@bakermayfield finds @God_Son80 in the back of the end zone for SIX!
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/VE4xOVpslK
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 6, 2020
If Mayfield is able to take this performance and make it a norm, the Browns will truly become a devastating offensive team.
It was clear that the Titans were caught off-guard by the Browns passing game as they were conscious of the running.
RBs Nick Chubb (18 carries, 80 yards) and Kareem Hunt (14 carries, 33 yards) were held relatively quiet during the game.
Even without standout games from those two, the Browns were still able to put up 41 points.
This could be a very good sign for the team moving forward.
2. The Secondary Is Not Good
The most glaring hole in the Browns defense is its secondary.
When the Titans came out firing in the second half, this was exposed.
In back-to-back drives following the break, Titans’ QB Ryan Tannehill picked apart the Browns secondary.
Each play it seemed as though someone was open, usually because of a misplay by someone on the Browns.
MyCole Pruitt 🙌🏽 @flyyCole_x4
📺: Watch #CLEvsTEN on CBS pic.twitter.com/9u1VIdVvuT
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 6, 2020
Against a Titans team that does not have a good passing game, this is concerning.
If they are unable to get pressure to the QB, it seems that even the weakest passing games can succeed against the Browns.
With Myles Garrett having reduced snaps for his return from COVID-19, the lack of QB pressure was evident.
This is something that will need to be figured out if the Browns hope to go far in the playoffs.
3. The Browns Are Scrappy, Led By Stefanski
In the first half, the Browns played like they had a chip on their shoulder.
There was something they had to prove to the entire NFL.
They played loose and had a distinct swagger on the field.
Much of this is to the credit of head coach Kevin Stefanski, as it appeared that he had the team ready to go this week.
Their two trick plays in the first half also showed the willingness to be creative and find any way to get a win.
BIG MAN TOUCHDOWN
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/Vaz0ZGcdFK
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 6, 2020
Coach Stefanski is a wizard 🧙♂️
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 6, 2020
If the Browns can take on this persona of a scrappy, “willing to do what it takes” team, it could bode well the rest of the season.
The team seems close, and that is the type of chemistry that could carry them in the playoffs.
In all, this was a big week for the Browns.
They have solidified themselves as playoff contenders and made a clear statement: they are here to be taken seriously.
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