Studs And Duds From Browns' Victory Over Vikings

Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings is tackled by Takkarist McKinley #55 of the Cleveland Browns at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. — (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns offense had a difficult time of things in Minnesota.

But one sign of a good football team is that when an offense falters, the defense can save the day.

And that is exactly what Joe Woods’ defense did Sunday, helping the Browns pull out a 14-7 victory over the Vikings.

Hard fought victory.

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 3, 2021

With Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt each outrushing the entire Vikings team, you’d expect an easy win.

But an off-target Mayfield and some questionable play-calling kept things close.

Here are some of the studs and duds from the Browns win over the Vikings.

Studs: Nick Chubb & Kareem Hunt

We might as well let these two occupy the same spot, as interchangeable as they are in the Browns attack.

Chubb hit the 100-yard rushing mark and Hunt added 68 more on just 13 carries.

The biggest mystery of the game is why the Browns did not run the ball more than they did.

Kareem ripping off 33 yards!

📺: #CLEvsMIN on CBS
📲: Browns mobile app pic.twitter.com/AHpIBH6JV2

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 3, 2021

It was obvious Mayfield was not his normal self, overthrowing receivers for a second straight week.

Cleveland’s biggest conversion was a 33-yard run by Hunt on a third-and-30.

And as bad as the passing game was, Minnesota could not bottle up the runners to take advantage.

Dud: Baker Mayfield

Baker Mayfield was off-target and made bad decisions and was fortunate the Browns managed to win.

There were several big misses, including a potential game-ending score to Odell Beckham that went wide and short.

On the next play, Mayfield overthrew Donovan Peoples-Jones as he crossed the goal line half-a-step ahead of the defender.

#Browns Baker Mayfield: “That piss-poor performance by me isn’t going to cut it. I’ve got to be better. It’s just that simple”

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) October 3, 2021

Mayfield inexplicably tried to run on a pair of third downs with wide-open receivers right in front of him.

Late in the game, he took off up the middle from a secure pocket, allowing Minnesota’s offense one more chance.

Cleveland’s quarterback took a sack on a fourth-down play and had a pair of third-down passes batted down.

Studs: Malik McDowell, Malik Jackson

Other defenders had bigger statistical days as the whole unit could be considered studs of the game.

But Minnesota entered the game with a top-5 rushing offense, including perennial All-Pro, Dalvin Cook.

By the second half, Minnesota shied away from the run as the Maliks shut down the middle of the line.

20 points allowed in the last 10 quarters for the Browns defense.

That'll do.

— Andrew Gribble (@Andrew_Gribble) October 3, 2021

Later in the game, each interior lineman came up with a big quarterback hit.

Jackson also tipped a third-down pass and smothered another pass at the line on Minny’s final drive.

And with Jackson and McDowell tying up the guards, Cleveland’s edge rush had another banner day.

Duds: Jedrick Wills

Jedrick Wills might need to take a week or two off to let his ankle heal.

Because he was beaten badly on a power rush on fourth down on the opening drive.

And things didn’t get much better after that with the rest of the offensive line not picking him up.

He might be "battling" or a "warrior" but Jedrick Wills just isn't cutting it at left tackle on that ankle. He gets smoked by Everson Griffin on 4th & 4. Baker sacked for a loss of 12. #Browns get nothing from a 15 play drive.

— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) October 3, 2021

It seemed like Minnesota got pressure on Mayfield in every obvious passing situation.

And 3 more sacks allowed will probably leave the Browns offense among the leaders.

Somehow, PFF still has the group ranked high in pass protection, but something is amiss.

Stud: Myles Garrett

Myles Garrett didn’t let up much after his big Chicago game, even if his overall numbers were less impressive.

Garrett had just one-half sack, but he added 4 quarterback hits and numerous hurries.

Kirk Cousins wanted to know where Garrett was at all times.

.⁦@Flash_Garrett⁩ is overrated @browns ⁦@Vikings⁩ pic.twitter.com/lv9csC2Voa

— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) October 3, 2021

The Minnesota quarterback had his worst game of the young season by far.

And the attention paid to Garrett opened the door for effective blitzing from the secondary.

Games like this will be why Garrett stays in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation.

Dud: Kevin Stefanski

We can almost forgive Stefanski for going for a fourth-down conversion on the opening drive.

There was no indication Minnesota was done scoring for the day, or that Mayfield was struggling.

But we all saw how bad a day Mayfield was having, and Stefanski still called 36 passing plays.

#Browns Kevin Stefanski said he struggled and he needs to do a better job getting guys open for Baker Mayfield.

— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) October 3, 2021

This despite the running game finding success in all types of situations.

The most egregious example was on 2nd-and-10 with about 3 minutes to go on the final offensive possession.

Instead of running the clock or forcing another Minnesota timeout with a run, Stefanski went deep.

And when that didn’t work, he went deep again, leaving Minny with time and timeouts for one last scoring shot.