Cleveland, Ohio – Scribbles in my notebook after the Browns lost 24-22 in Green Bay:
1. This from Myles Garrett: “If you’re a Browns fan you’re frustrated. If you’re a Browns player you’re frustrated. If you have anything to do with us you’re frustrated.”
2. Frustrated indeed. The Browns have lost their last two games by two points each. Win them both, or even split, it’s a different story this season. Instead, they are 7-8 with two games left.
3. I know some fans want to make a change at QB, but it’s not going to happen in the final two games. Part of 2021 is evaluating Baker Mayfield’s long-term future with the Browns. I’d play him the last two games, finish out the process of seeing how he performs.
4. As I wrote in my column after the game, the Browns lost on a lousy call by the officials in the last minute. And they also lost on some lousy throws by Mayfield, who was 21-of-36 passing with two TDs and four interceptions. He also was sacked five times.
5. The lousy call was a missed pass interference on Donovan Peoples-Jones. He was held by Green Bay defensive back Rasul Douglas. It became an interception, the last throw of the night by Mayfield.
6. But Mayfield’s other three interceptions were poor throws. Eric Stokes also dropped an interception earlier in the game. As often has happened this season, Mayfield’s throws were sailing high. He didn’t seem to go to his second and third receivers very often. He’ll never admit, but his confidence appears very shaky. The question of injuries does hang over him, but he had nearly two weeks of rest (COVID-19, no symptoms) before this game. He also had only one practice.
7. Yes, some fans will say Douglas could have been called for a pass interference penalty when he grabbed Peoples-Jones earlier in the game. But that throw did go into double-coverage. Look, Mayfield had a bad, mistake-marred game, period.
8. Interesting stats from ESPN: Mayfield was 2-of-10 with four interceptions on passes of at least 10 yards. He was overthrowing. On passes of 9 or fewer yards, he was 19-of-26 for 182 yards and two TDs.
9. Some fans have wondered why Stefanski is not having Mayfield throw more deep passes. Stats like that are the reason. He’s not accurate this season.
10. Mayfield said: “It was just missed throws. Uncharacteristic, and I hurt this team. That’s the most frustrating thing for me. I thought our defense played tremendous against a really, really good offense. But when you turn the ball over on your own territory, in the red zone and around midfield and give them extra opportunities, they’re going to take advantage of it.”
11. There is a reason Stefanski and coaches dwell on cutting down turnovers. The Packers have won their last 31 games in which they had fewer turnovers than their opponent.
12. Fox Sports analyst Troy Aikman mentioned a few times during the game how Mayfield struggles when throwing to his left. He has a torn left labrum. It does seem his footwork is awkward on some of those throws.
13. I don’t know what to say about the impact of the various injuries on Mayfield. I do know he’s not close to the same QB as 2020. I also think he has developed some bad habits with his footwork, which is one of the reason many of his passes sail high.
14. Rashard Higgins rose up from where he’s been hiding to catch five passes for 58 yards. The Browns used rookie Anthony Schwartz twice on sweeps good for 24 yards rushing. He also caught a TD pass.
15. The Browns have a week left to prepare for the Steelers. They need to win their final two games to end at 9-8, which would give them back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since the late 1980s. Yes, it’s been that long.
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