BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – After two months of hype, the Browns officially closed the book on the Baker Mayfield saga with a 26-24 victory Sunday in Charlotte.
While the Mayfield storyline dominated headlines, head coach Kevin Stefanski kept them focused but with the win secured and 16 more games on the docket, the Browns can move on.
“Obviously it was a big deal,” right guard Wyatt Teller, who is close friends with Mayfield said. “I feel everybody was focused… Excited that we got the win.”
It was the Browns first Week 1 victory sine 2004 and first on the road to kick a season off since 1994.
Mayfield, who completed 10 of 19 passes for 101 yards in the first half nearly pulled of a comeback rallying the Panthers from a 20-7 deficit to a 24-23 lead with 1:13 remaining after completing 6 of 8 passes for 134 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown on a busted coverage, in the second half.
“Yeah, Baker was the quarterback of the team, but our focus was on the Carolina Panthers just in general and trying to find a way to go out there and get a win,” cornerback Denzel Ward, was picked three selections after Mayfield fourth overall in 2018, said. “But I mean, we knew Baker and Baker knew us as well. So definitely played a factor within the game and how we schemed up things and what we did out there.”
The defensive pressure on Mayfield was intense from the very first snap that saw Jadeveon Clowney swat his firth pass attempt. In all five passes were deflected, another intercepted and there were four muffed exchanges with his center.
“As exciting as it was, we have to turn the page when the players walk out the door [Monday afternoon],” Stefanski said. “We are on to the Jets, so that will be our mentality.”
An honor to be nominated – Browns running back Nick Chubb was nominated for the first FedEx Ground Player of the week award of the season Monday.
“He had two runs late in the game – I am not going to tell you the name of the play – consecutive that are as good as there are in the NFL,” Stefanski said. “Making guys miss, jumping over people and playing physical, it was a site to behold.”
Chubb ran for 141 yards on 22 carries in Sunday's 26-24 win over the Panthers with approximately 112 yards coming after contact.
“I think I saw a play where he jump cut 15 times in one play, it was pretty cool,” right guard Wyatt Teller joked. “But no, he's a pretty talented back. He's not the only one back there that's talented.”
Chubb has some stiff competition this week. Detroit’s D'Andre Swift ripped off 144 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries in a Lions 38-35 loss to the Eagles and Jonathan Taylor of the Colts racked up 161 yards and a score on 31 carries in the Colts 20-20 tie with the Texans.
Welcome to Yorktown – The legend of Cade York is growing following his 58-yard field goal at the final gun to beat the Panthers.
Local t-shirt companies are already making shirts in his honor.
“That is a rare performance for a rookie, as we all know,” Stefanski said. “Pretty unprecedented for him to go do that. Just going to continue to grow with him. Recognize that he is a rookie. He is going to miss a kick, but we trust in the kid.”
York hit all of his kicks – two PATs as well as field goals of 24, 34 and 36 yards in addition to the game winner – in his official debut.
Contested catches – Donovan Peoples-Jones had an impressive performance leading the team with six receptions.
Every single catch was of the contested variety as he totaled 60 yards.
“He made the plays that came to him,” Stefanski said. “The contested catches – some of them on third down and some of them in two-minute there – that is a very valuable asset to have as a receiver where, even when you are covered, you are not. For him to go up and get the ball was impressive in a bunch of those moments.”
Communication breakdown – Breakdowns happen in secondary but two of them Sunday cost the Browns 14 points.
“That was really disappointing because we played really, really good defense [Sunday],” Stefanski said. “To give up 75 yards, 50 yards and even on the fumbled snap they pick it up and get 28 yards, that is a lot of yards on three plays. Those were just moments for us just not doing our job. Yes, there are miscommunications, but those type of things should not happen, and we will get it fixed.”
Ward has been in that situation before, and he admitted that it is a lonely feeling. Even worse once you get to the meeting room the next day and comb through the film.
“Yeah, you definitely never want to just give guys anything easy because the NFL, it's hard to win within itself,” Ward said. “So you definitely don't want to give anybody any gifts. So we did that on a few plays and just gave them some. So yeah, we just had to go and correct some things and I'm sure we'll get it fixed though.”
Conklin close – Right tackle Jack Conklin was inactive Sunday
“No setbacks,” Stefanski said. “He is close. He is really close. Felt like he was close for this game, but just going to continue to make smart decisions with the doctors’ input and with Jack’s input moving forward.”
James Hudson III filled in for Conklin and Stefanski liked what he saw.
“He did [play pretty well]. He fought like crazy,” Stefanski said. “Obviously, when you are going against premier rushers in [Brian] Burns and going into the game that a heavy-pressure team, knew that we would have to be smart about our protections and not leave our guys one on one very often. When we did, they did a nice job. We took one sack on a first-down play, but other than that, it was pretty clean and Jacoby made some plays from some loud pockets.”
Standing pat – For now, it appears the Browns will stick with Demetric Felton as their top returner despite early struggles fielding punts, including a muff that was nearly fumbled away.
“I think you always have young players who will continue to get better,” Stefanski said. “We did have the one muff. He will continue to make good decisions and work on it in practice.”
Injury report – The Browns came out of the game with no additional injuries and Stefanski had no updates to provide.
Up next – Players off Tuesday, practice Wednesday.