BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Baker Mayfield’s difficult day in Minnesota has a few worrying about the quarterback, as well as his chemistry with Odell Beckham Jr.
Mayfield misfired throughout the 14-7 win. He missed receivers high, wide and low with throws and also struggled with some decision making too.
Monday afternoon head coach Kevin Stefanski was in no mood to pile on Mayfield, who himself after the game said he needed to play better because his “piss poor performance” wasn’t going to cut it going forward.
“I think we know that we want to be better in the pass game,” Stefanski said. “We want to be more explosive in the pass game. There will be opportunities for us to improve, and that is what this week is for really is making sure that we are getting on the same page and then having a good plan for the Chargers.”
The most glaring miss by Mayfield, who completed just 15 of 33 passes for 155 yards and a 59.5 rating in the win, was in the fourth quarter on a deep ball to Odell Beckham Jr. that saw Beckham go deep and Mayfield throw behind him.
Postgame, Mayfield admitted he did not communicate to Beckham well enough the type of ball he intended to throw. Instead of a knockout touchdown, the Vikings ended up getting one last shot to force overtime.
“Well, you would like a completion,” Stefanski said. “Listen, there are going to be plays that we hit, and there are going to be plays that we miss. When we talked through it, a bit of a miscommunication, and it is unfortunate because of the moment of that, but that is why we work. That is why we spend a lot of time in these meeting rooms and spend a lot of time on these fields. We have to get it right, and we will.”
Since making his return from a torn ACL suffered in Week 7 at Cincinnati last October, Beckham has caught 7 of 16 targets for 104 yards in two games.
This latest misfire against the Vikings raised another round of questions about the lack of chemistry between Mayfield and Beckham and the numbers paint a clear picture – Mayfield is much more productive when No. 13 isn’t on the field.
Mayfield’s numbers without Beckham, including the two playoff games – 66.3% of his passes completed for 3,469 yards with 21 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. With Beckham, Mayfield’s numbers drop significantly – 58.7% for 5,323 yards with 33 touchdowns and 28 interceptions.
Pro Football Focus’ passing grades for Mayfield with Beckham is 68.7 and without him 90.7.
It's downright perplexing.
As for Mayfield’s inaccuracy, he hasn’t missed a snap since his left shoulder popped out and back in during a 31-21 win over the Texans on September 19.
Could it be that shoulder injury that is contributing to Mayfield’s sudden lack of accuracy?
“I do not think so,” Stefanski said. “Based on what I see at practice. I do not think so.
Good for Greedy – Cornerback Greedy Williams has been through quite a bit in the last 14 months, but he came up big in his first start since his 2019 rookie season at Minnesota.
Williams made six tackles, broke up a pas and came away with his first career interception with just over six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
“I am really proud of Greedy,” Stefanski said. “I think all of you guys know that it was a hard year with that injury, a lot of waiting and a lot of getting work in the training room and in the weight room, and finally got good news after really weeks and months. That was hard on him. He came back, and the guy has just been so singularly focused on helping this team win.
“To see him out there, play well, play physical and get his hands on guys – that is a really good passing unit out there – he was up to the challenge. To come up with a big takeaway, again versus a quarterback who does not throw many of those, he went up and got it, and it was a really good decision.”
Maliks in the middle – Defensive tackles Malik Jackson and Malik McDowell are making for quite the tandem in the middle of the Browns defensive line.
With all the attention on Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney, Jackson summed up their attitude Monday.
“Let’s go out here and do this,” Jackson said. “We should not even have to have the other two guys. Let us just go out there and play mean, play hard, get to the ball and take no BS.”
Harrison cleared – Safety Ronnie Harrison was cleared by the medical staff after leaving Sunday’s win to be evaluated for a concussion.
“He does not have a concussion, but protocols held him out of that game,” Stefanski said.
Harrison walked to the locker room after leaving the field early in the first quarter.
Practice squad add – The Browns signed receiver Lawrence Cager to the practice squad Monday.
Cager signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and spent the first 10 weeks on their practice squad before moving to the active roster during Week 13. He has totaled 35 receiving yards on two catches.
Injury report – LT Jedrick Wills (ankle), CB Greg Newsome II (calf), OT Chris Hubbard (triceps)
Up next – Players off Tuesday, practice Wednesday.
