CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Following Sunday’s 23-16 loss to the Jets Baker Mayfield took full responsibility for the defeat.
Mayfield completed 28 of 53 passes for 285 yards but fumbled three times – including with just over a minute to play deep in Jets territory on fourth-and-1 attempting a quarterback sneak.
Monday afternoon, running back Kareem Hunt defended Mayfield, who said he “failed the team.”
“Baker is my brother. It is definitely not all on him,” Hunt said. “There are a lot of things a lot of people could have done better. There are some things that got us into that situation. Honestly, he will have my back no matter what so I will have his, too. I believe in him to bounce back. I believe we all will because that is not just on him; it is on the whole team.
It is on everybody.”
The Jets brought pressure all afternoon, sacking Mayfield four times and delivering seven quarterback hits.
They also neutralized the Browns’ potent rushing attack limiting Cleveland to just 45 yards on the ground.
“I thought the Jets did a nice job,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “I thought they had good schemes; their players did a nice job. I think it’s a combination of could’ve called dome better plays, could’ve designed some better plays but they did a really nice job. They did not allow u to crease any, especially early.”
Nick Chubb had just 28 on 11 carries and Kareem Hunt finished with four runs for 11 yards, but both backs rushed for touchdowns.
“We are not happy. We are never happy after losing a football game,” Hunt said. “We are going to learn from it and come together as a team. On to the next game. Get better.”
The Browns clearly missed right guard Wyatt Teller and left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. up front, but especially Teller, who had been manhandling opposing defenses in the run game.
“We miss him a ton,” Hunt said. “Wyatt is a great offensive lineman, a tough guy and he brings it. We definitely could use everybody.”
Bouncing Back – If the Browns can beat the Steelers Sunday, it would mark the first time since 2007 that they got through a regular season without losing back-to-back games.
“This team has been resilient, and that is going to be required moving forward,” Stefanski said. “That is what it takes this season. I give a ton of credit to the players. They get it. They own whatever happened the week before win, lose or draw, they try and learn from it and they move on.”
Vote of Confidence – Cody Parkey missed a PAT off the left upright Sunday marking the third straight week he has missed a kick but Stefanski did not sound like a change is in the offing.
“He knows what’s expected of him and we’re counting on him,” Stefanski said. “I have a ton of confidence in him.”
Receiver Pick Up – The Browns signed receiver Alexander Hollins off the Minnesota Vikings practice squad Monday.
“Alexander is someone I have experience with and told Andrew [Berry] and his staff what you’re getting,” Stefanski said. “Tough receiver, good speed, knows the system.”
Hollins was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2019 by Minnesota. He spent Weeks 2-12 on the club’s practice squad, before playing in the final five games with one start last season. He posted two receptions, both for first downs, and 46 receiving yards on the year.
Injury Report – Linebackers Sione Takitaki and Tae Davis are “day to day” with ankle injuries; interior lineman Nick Harris (knee) is day to day; right guard Wyatt Teller will be evaluated Tuesday and Stefanski is “hopeful” he’ll practice Wednesday; safety Ronnie Harrison may return by the end of the week; left tackle Jedrick Wills (illness) no update.