The Cleveland Browns jumped out to a huge lead against the Tennessee Titans today and ultimately won the game by a score of 41-35.
With the win, the Browns moved to 9-3 and will achieve a winning record for the first time since 2007.
In addition, QB Baker Mayfield accomplished a feat today that was last completed by Browns legend Otto Graham in 1951.
Baker Mayfield is the first #Browns QB since Otto Graham in 1951 to score 4 TDs in the 1st half
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) December 6, 2020
Otto Graham threw 4 TDs in the first half of the Browns game against the Chicago Cardinals on December 2, 1951.
The Browns won that game by a score of 49-28.
69 Years Later
Baker Mayfield throws 4 TDs in the first half against the Tennessee Titans.
He spread the TDs out to 4 different receivers.
There were some expected names in there like Jarvis Landry, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Rashard Higgins.
And then there was the brilliant play call to throw to offensive tackle Kendall Lamm.
BIG MAN TD CATCH 🙌🙌🙌 @BROWNS
📺: #CLEvsTEN on CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/nO8DOddpx2 pic.twitter.com/5VSO00lxT5— NFL (@NFL) December 6, 2020
Honestly, Baker could have had 5 TD passes and shattered the record.
On the first scoring drive that ended with a Cody Parkey field goal to put the Browns up 3-0, Donovan Peoples-Jones dropped what would have been a touchdown pass.
Big win for Baker and Browns
The media scrutiny has been on Baker all season.
Quite honestly, it has been on him since the letdown from his rookie season in 2018.
Could he win the big games?
Is the running game carrying the team?
If circumstances dictated, could Baker make the plays?
Sunday, Baker showed us he can make great throws.
He’s been accurate.
Mayfield’s completion percentage was over 75%.
He completed 25 of 33 passes for 334 yards.
And he did not throw any interceptions.
Browns are raising expectations.
With the victory over Tennessee, the Browns showed that they can beat a good team.
Among the criticisms of the Browns this season has been that they beat the teams they were expected to beat.
Losses to Baltimore and Pittsburgh further showed that the Browns had not beaten a good team.
But that talk changes after the Tennessee win.
What’s next for the Browns?
The Browns may get a 24 hour window to celebrate the Titans victory.
Then it is back to work preparing for Baltimore on Monday Night Football on December 13.
The Ravens defeated the Browns easily by a score of 38-6 in Week 1.
But both the Ravens and Browns are decidedly different teams in Week 14 than they were in Week 1.
Baker may not match those unbelievable stats that he had against Tennessee.
However, the Browns need to play well in all facets of the game as they did against the Titans.
The defense stopped Derrick Henry early in the game and forced an uncharacteristic fumble from the NFL’s leading rusher who had not fumbled since December 2019.
Meanwhile, Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt continued delivering what they have for the Browns the entire season, solid runs with good ball control.
The running duo nearly doubled Henry’s yardage on the day.
Baker needs to continue to play cleanly, limit the turnovers, and be smart with the passing game.
And the often overlooked but appreciated kicking game of Cody Parkey needs to stay on point.
It’s not too much to ask for, right?
NEXT: Browns LB Mack Wilson Being Evaluated For Concussion
