Baker Mayfield Sends Message Heading Into Crucial Week 17

Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield was one of the many disappointed players after losing to the New York Jets.

The Browns had quite the tall task heading into the matchup as all of their wide receivers were ruled out.

The COVID-19 precautionary scare that hit the position group caused the Browns offense to look immensely different against the Jets.

Regardless, many felt the Browns still should have won that game as they had both of their running backs present.

Now, heading into a crucial Week 17, Baker Mayfield sent a simple and direct message on social media.

Baker Mayfield Sends Message On Instagram After Loss

After the loss, Baker Mayfield took to Instagram to let Browns fans know they will continue to work.

 

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A post shared by Baker Mayfield (@bakermayfield)

A post shared by Baker Mayfield (@bakermayfield)

Mayfield finished Sunday’s game completing 28 of 53 passes for 285 yards and 0 touchdowns.

Baker threw the ball a great deal and this came as a surprise as many thought they would ride the coattails of their running backs.

Even more so since all the wide receivers were inactive.

After all, that has been the winning formula for them on the season.

“Head down and work… That’s it” was the message Baker posted after only answering one question in his post game presser.

Obvious frustration on display after the loss, the Browns will need to continue to work as the playoff picture is starting to shape up.

For all hating on Baker, just keep in mind that over the past month he has shown enough maturation to prove he is winning a quarterback in this system.

He can silence all the noise with a win in Week 17 win over the Steelers.

With a win, the Browns will clinch a playoff spot, ending a near two decade drought.

AFC Playoff Picture Shaping Up

The Browns drafted Baker number one overall in the 2018 draft to go out and win the big game.

In the win over Tennessee and even in the loss to the Ravens, Baker showed growth and improvement.

That is the Baker who needs to show up this Sunday.

With a potential loss, the Browns could end up missing the playoffs.

The AFC playoff picture is as tight as it gets.

Which team ends up falling short? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/5TmG7aRVF1

— ESPN (@espn) December 28, 2020

As it currently sits, the three wild card teams are the Dolphins, Ravens and Browns.

With a Browns loss and Ravens win, Baltimore was able to enter the playoff hunt as the number six seed.

Moving forward, for the Browns, it’s simple.

They win Sunday and they are in.

If they lose, they will need some help in order to make the playoffs.

They currently own the tiebreaker over the Colts and Titans.

If the Browns lose and Colts lose, they make the playoffs.

If the Browns lose and Colts win, but the Titans lose, they still make the playoffs.

With a Titans and Colts win, and a Browns loss, Cleveland will end up missing the playoffs.

Kevin Stefanski says so far none of the close contact players have tested positive, same goes for LT Jedrick Wills. #Browns

— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) December 28, 2020

The good news for the Browns is that they are expecting to have the wide receiving core out there on Sunday.

But, the pressure will fall on the shoulders of Baker Mayfield.

These are the make or break moments for quarterbacks.

In the brightest of moments with the highest of stakes on the line, let’s see what the number one overall pick has in his bag.