DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Terry's Talkin' Browns

Thanks for the Pluto article post. Hope his prediction for a Browns win comes true today!

As Pittsburgh game approaches, getting more nervous – Terry Pluto’s Browns scribbles


PITTSBURGH – Scribbles in my notebook as the Browns play what feels like a big game in Pittsburgh, and it’s about time that can be said. The Steelers are 4-0, the Browns 4-1 and looking to end a 16-game losing streak at Heinz Field.

1. The closer it comes to game time, the more I’m concerned about the Browns. They have Baker Mayfield (sore ribs), Jarvis Landry (sore hip, ribs) ailing while a couple of safeties are out along with starting guard Wyatt Teller (calf). There is also no Nick Chubb.

2. Mayfield and Landry are expected to play, but how healthy are they? I was talking to an executive who knows both teams well. He said the Steelers don’t blitz 51% of the time simply to rush the passer; some of the blitzes are designed to plug gaps and shut down the run.

3. He expects the Browns to see a lot of those run-stopping blitzes. That makes the Pittsburgh defense much different than what the Browns encountered from the Colts last Sunday. Indianapolis has an excellent defense and is strong against the run, but most of its sets are basic.

4. The Steelers not only are aggressive, they also can confuse an offense with a variety of looks. They are allowing only 64 yards rushing per game, third-best in the NFL. Yet there have been stories in Pittsburgh about defensive issues. One criticism is the Steelers allowing teams to convert 50% on third downs. By comparison, the Browns are 47%.

5. The Steelers are giving up 21.8 points per game, which feels like a lot in Pittsburgh. But it is No. 6 overall in an NFL, where scoring is up dramatically. The Browns are giving up 29.8 points per game. That seems awful. But get this: There are seven teams allowing 30 or more points this season.

6. Officials have been calling fewer penalties, especially holding. Maybe that is part of the decline of defense. So are the well-needed rules against helmet-to-helmet tackles and unnecessary roughness. But I wonder if the COVID-19 limits on practices are negatively impacting defenses when it comes to preparation.

7. The Steelers are very capable of making it hard to run the ball. The Colts made it hard last week, at least until the fourth quarter. That’s when D’Ernest Johnson broke loose for 28 yards. He had only four yards on seven other carries. Kareem Hunt had 72 yards on 20 rushes, his longest carry was 10 yards.

8. The difference in that 32-23 Browns victory was the defense. The Colts scored a TD on a kick return. So the defense allowed only 16 points. It also scored nine thanks to a safety and Ronnie Harrison running back an interception for a TD.

9. The Browns enter this game with three healthy safeties: veteran Andrew Sendejo, Sheldrick Redwine (19 snaps this season) and Jovante Moffatt (undrafted rookie, zero snaps this season). Maybe they move another defensive back to safety. It’s a big problem for the orange helmets.

10. A player receiving raves from the coaches is Malcolm Smith, a weakside linebacker who is very strong in pass coverage. The 31-year-old veteran is playing 50% of the snaps and is the only Browns linebacker rated above average by Profootballfocus.

11. Linebacker Mack Wilson played 19 snaps vs. the Colts compared to 37 for Smith. B.J. Goodson (47 snaps) was on the field the most among the linebackers. Sione Takitaki played only 15 snaps, but led the team with 21 special teams snaps.

12. The Browns keep sorting through linebackers, trying to find a productive combination for that week. Rookie Jacob Phillips had been struck early in the season with a knee problem. He was starting to come back in the last two games, but then hurt his knee again.

13. The young players from LSU can’t stay healthy. Greedy Williams (second-round pick, 2019) is out with a shoulder injury. He has played only 12 pro games (all last year). Grant Delpit (second round, 2020) is out for the year with a torn Achilles tendon. Phillips (third round, 2020) has played only 29 snaps this season.

14. Profootballfocus rates Pittsburgh’s defensive line “as the best pass-rush unit in the league” and praises the Steelers' ability to generate “quick pressure.” But they also wrote the Browns “offensive line doesn’t have a weakness and will present a worthy challenge for the dominating Steelers pass rush.”

15. That said, the Browns are without right guard Teller, who has been playing at an elite level. Fortunately, GM Andrew Berry found a way to rework the contract of Chris Hubbard to retain the veteran. He started a game at right tackle when Jack Conklin was injured. Hubbard played 59 snaps after Teller left the Colts game.

16. This Browns regime considers backup QB an important position. As an assistant coach in Minnesota, Kevin Stefanski went through a 2017 season in which Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford both sustained major injuries. That led to Case Keenum starting 14 games with an 11-3 record.

17. That also led to the Browns signing Keenum as Mayfield’s backup. The 32-year-old Keenum has a 27-35 record as a starter. He took more snaps than normal this week as Mayfield was recovering from his rib injury. Mayfield is expected to start, but the Browns are confident with Keenum, just in case.

18. My prediction is Browns 23, Steelers 20. I’m sticking to it ... barely.

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/10...-scribbles.html

This worries me because Ben is getting rid of the ball fast and the Steelers run a lot of crossing routes.




If Covid is affecting either unit, it would be offenses rather than defenses.




This, along w/the Steelers being 3rd against the run, worries me. I hope we aren't put in positions that are not our strength.

We probably will be playing off the wrong foot.

I expect a let down today. Steelers by 17

This entire week has felt that way.
I'm anxious to be wrong.

I think these two points are what scare me the most. How's Baker going to respond? How's Stefanski's play scheming and calling going to pan out and what's the reaction if we are initially shut down? I don't expect to hold Pit to less than 27 points .... how many points can we score?

It is by no means a slam dunk, but I think that none of it is anything that Callahan hasn't seen before.

Everything begins in the trenches; I think ours will be ready.

Pluto has a fair analysis IMO; I always consider his insights. Thanks for posting this. Our local paper has carried him once while it lards up all Cincitucky stories. Lots on Reds, UD, Barrow, while our stuff is missing, a smear, or just wrong.

I want to suggest isolating and attacking Haden. Relentlessly and repeatedly. The Eagles had some success against him and made it a closer game despite Wentz being awful. We need to go after these gimmicky run-blitz calls and hurt them. Not sure we can play head-on smash mouth with them, but first we have to see if the monster is really a monster on defense. I am hoping for a fluke or two in our favor. Hope MG brings his A+ game.

Unleash the ELF!

It certainly feels like it’s going to be too much for us to overcome this week. Injuries, poor matchup, at their place, them owning us, etc.

j/c:

On the plus side, we have big-time advantages at TE, RB, and especially WR against their pass defenders if Baker steps-up and plays well. Wentz exploited them despite playing w/most of his best WRs.

We also have a good OL that can help slow down [not stop] the Steeler fearsome pass rush.

If Ben does hold the ball a bit, we have a strong pass rush and we can force him into some turnovers.

The crowd won't be large, so that helps w/the Myles thing from last year.

We might be able to neutralize their running game, especially if we get ahead early.

All we have to do is cover well enough, long enough to give Myles & Company time to get there.

If we play soft and give cushions at the line, we will get torn up.

Odell Beckham’s outburst, record of 4-2 or 0-6, the game plan – Cleveland Browns Scribbles

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/10...-scribbles.html


By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND, Ohio – After the Browns' 38-7 loss to Pittsburgh, some drama has hit the Browns. Is it a big deal? Let’s scribble about it.

1. Odell Beckham Jr. explained his taking off his gloves and helmet, shoes, etc., near the end of the Browns being blown out in Pittsburgh as frustration over being taken out of the game. Coach Kevin Stefanski seemed to consider it a minor issue after the game and let it pass.

2. I’m not going to dwell on Beckham’s antics. It’s what you get with him. At this point in his career, he’s not going to change. But Beckham is absolutely wrong about being angry about going to the bench with the other starters with eight minutes left. It was the right decision by Stefanski, who needs his players as healthy as possible for next week in Cincinnati.

3. I would have pulled Baker Mayfield at halftime (Browns losing, 24-7). It was obvious the QB not only was having a poor game, but he wasn’t close to being 100 percent physically. Already playing with bruised ribs and a sore hip, Mayfield took some needless (and painful) hits in the third quarter of that game before giving way to backup QB Case Keenum.

4. Beckham said he took off his shoes because he has had a turf toe problem dating back to the Dallas game. OK, he has a sore toe. Does it make any sense for him to play the final eight minutes when the Browns were behind 38-7? Beckham should ask himself that question.

5. Beckham missed 16 of 32 games between 2017-18. He played every game last year, but seldom took part in full-team practices during the season because he had a hernia that eventually needed surgery. What would Beckham have said had he been injured in the final minutes of that debacle in Pittsburgh? Just wondering...

6. Stefanski already is without star running back Nick Chubb (knee injury) and emerging star right guard Wyatt Teller (calf injury). Kareem Hunt was playing with sore ribs. Several players on defense are hurt. He didn’t need anyone else injured.

7. I also wonder if Beckham was upset because he was targeted only four times. He caught two for 25 yards. Talented receivers believe their team would have a better chance to win if they get the ball more often. There is some truth to that.

8. The Browns faked an end-around to Beckham, but never found a way to simply hand him the ball as they have in the past. He should have been a bigger part of the plan. How about a short pass? A screen? Something. Four chances to make a play isn’t enough, period.

9. Beckham’s comments about not getting COVID-19: “I do not think it’s going to enter this body. I don’t want any part of it. It doesn’t want any part of of me.” From his lips to God’s ears ... that it applies not just to him, but all of us.

10. Stefanski admitted he didn’t adjust his game plan well. He also brought up how he allowed Pittsburgh’s defense to have an easy time rushing because “I have to do a much better job of varying the snap count.” He wants the offense to line up faster to start a play.

11. Mayfield said this: “After that loss (in Pittsburgh), 4-2 and has never felt so much like 0-6 before. That’s because we have high expectations for ourselves.”

12. Mayfield stressed the team " was eager to get back to work ... and fix the problems." Nonetheless, his mood was down during Wednesday’s Zoom press conference. It’s a good guess his video session of the Steelers game was painful to watch.

13. I like Stefanski’s answer about Mayfield saying 4-2 feels like 0-6: “We are ready to go and ready to put in the work to try and go 1-0 (in Cincinnati) ... I think it was Bill Parcells who said, ‘You are what your record says you are.’”

14. Stefanski isn’t worried about his team being overconfident. Rather, he doesn’t want to them to lose the confidence they built during the four-game winning streak. The losses in Baltimore and Pittsburgh have been awful, but I never thought they’d be 4-2 at this point in the season.

15. Stefanski’s big point is “these games keep coming at you.” Or as a grumpy Bill Belichick once said to nearly every question after a big loss to Kansas City in 2014, “on to Cincinnati.” For the Browns, the Cincinnati game is now as important as the games vs. Pittsburgh and Baltimore. For those future division games to matter, the Browns need to beat the Bengals Sunday.

I tried to skim through most of the predictable OBJ comments. Give him one good game and a stellar catch or two, and no will care about his Covid remarks or turf toe stuff. (imo)

#10 stood out to me because, though I know Stefanski's post game stuff always leans towards taking all the blame, I am wondering how much the snap count and the offense lining up faster is all on him.

I don't think I have an opinion one way or the other. Is he just referring to getting the plays in faster?

Just honestly wondering.

Our 1st time HC is also learning. He needs more time too.

Not sure why we don't run Odell and Jarvis on Jet sweeps (especially on one of the numerous failed 4th downs) or get creative with them like Freddie did last year. They are playmakers and need the ball in their hands too.

hunt has sure ribs? I thought it was a groin?

Here’s what I’m hearing about how the team views the season, Baker so far – Terry’s Talkin’ Browns

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/10...kin-browns.html

By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer
ABOUT THE FIRST SIX GAMES

Let’s start with some questions:

1. At the start of the season, would you have been content if you knew the Browns would be 4-2 after six games?

2. Would you think less of the 4-2 record because the two losses were blowouts in Baltimore and Pittsburgh?

3. Is it a big surprise Pittsburgh and Baltimore are far ahead of the Browns at this point in the season?

From what I’m hearing, that’s how the team looks at this season so far:

1. The standard line is they want to win every game. Common sense is a 4-2 record with a new coaching staff, new schemes on offense and defense and a new front office is a positive sign.

2. The Browns expect to contend for a playoff spot. After six games, they believe it’s very possible, especially with the NFL’s expanded postseason.

3. The 38-6 loss to Baltimore was a “Welcome to NFL reality" for rookie head coach Kevin Stefanski and the team. The Browns were 6-10 last year, Baltimore was 14-2. It was no surprise the Ravens seemed to be flying miles above the Browns to open the season.

4. The real test came in the next four games, the Browns believing they could win them all if they played “tough, smart and accountable” football. But a key was Stefanski and his coaching staff, how would they deal with adversity after the Baltimore game?

5. The 35-30 victory over Cincinnati was a major test (and victory) for the new coaching staff. They had three days between games. They had a team that was embarrassed in Baltimore. The Browns have been a team that often fell apart under the weight of expectations. Would they become distracted again? It didn’t happen.

6. The Browns know they easily could have lost Game 3 to Washington. They blew a 17-7 lead and entered the fourth quarter losing, 20-17. Then they scored the final 17 points to win, 34-20. Another positive sign.

7. The front office and coaching staff want to build up confidence and mental toughness. That begins winning games against inferior opponents. They could have wasted a 41-14 lead after three quarters in Dallas as the Cowboys came back. But the Browns hung on to win, 49-38.

8. The Dallas and Washington games were the type the Browns so often lost in the past. Only they didn’t this time. Next was the 32-23 victory over the Colts. Indianapolis had a defense that rivaled Baltimore’s. This was Cleveland’s first full game without Nick Chubb (knee injury). They still ran for 124 yards in 33 carries. The Colts are 3-2 this season.

9. Pittsburgh was just a bad game. The offensive line was physically overmatched for the only time this season. The running game went nowhere. Baker Mayfield had a miserable day. The final score of 38-7 was a downer, a step back.

10. The big picture is Stefanski and his coaching staff don’t have the emotional swings as found in some past seasons. They also seem more organized. There have been no problems with Stefanski calling plays and being the head coach. That’s because he relies a lot on offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and offensive line coach Bill Callahan during games and practices.

11. The defense is an issue. It has been hit hard with injuries. It has allowed exactly 38 points in three of six games. The Browns are allowing 31 points per game, third highest in the NFL. The Browns knew they didn’t have enough talent for a dominating defense. Injuries to Grant Delpit, Greedy Williams an others made the situation worse.

12. They are hoping to develop an opportunistic one that forces turnovers. The Browns do lead the NFL with 12 forced turnovers, but none in the Pittsburgh game. That really hurt because of Mayfield’s two interceptions.

13. Myles Garrett signed a huge contract extension and is playing like an elite defensive end. Denzel Ward has had some very good moments. The Browns have been much improved vs. the run, ranking No. 4 this season (94 yards allowed) compared to No. 30 (145 yards allowed) in 2019. Overall, the front office is upbeat about the season.

ABOUT BAKER MAYFIELD

1. The Browns are blending patience and putting clear expectations on their QB. While fans don’t like to hear about all the coaching and system changes faced by Mayfield in his 2 1/2 seasons, that is reality. It’s a bad way to break in a QB.

2. Some fans were upset when Van Pelt said this about Mayfield: “The arrow is up for sure. He is going to continue to get better. We are still very new to the system.”

3. How could the arrow be pointing up after Mayfield has thrown four interceptions in his last five quarters? Van Pelt is protecting his QB. He knows there is a lot of pressure. Now is not the time for the coaching staff to publicly give thumb’s down to the QB.

4. Van Pelt didn’t excuse Mayfield’s two interceptions in Pittsburgh: “He got a little fooled on the coverage there for the first pick. The second one was a poor decision of trying to do too much. It’s fundamental ... we can’t turn the ball over at that position or any position on offense.”

5. Mayfield is going to be largely judged on the turnovers. In his first four games, he threw seven TD passes compared to a pair of interceptions. That’s the QB they want and they are willing to be patient to see if Mayfield can develop into a smart winning QB.

6. The Browns want to keep things upbeat. As Van Pelt said, “Our mentality is the sky is not falling. It was one football game. We didn’t play well across the board. We have played some really good football ... up to this point.”

7. Mayfield got hurt in the second half of the Colts game and wasn’t close to 100 percent in Pittsburgh. It seems his ribs and hip were bruised. Did some of that have an impact? Yes. But the coaches say he also made mistakes in judgment, as Van Pelt mentioned.

8. Finally, nothing has changed about their plans for Mayfield. The Browns want him to play so they can evaluate him on 16 games, not making quick judgments each week. How do his second eight games compare to his first eight? That’s their approach.

I am encouraged by this info concerning BM and his handling. He needs more consistency. His "up arrow" is realistically limited by his own ability to improve himself and his performance seeing improvement. Not all is physical; therefore, like I favor, don't forget mistakes, glossing it and moving on. Learn from it and demand it be addressed and avoided if possible going forward. Stefanski seems to address problems; remains to be seen if they will coach them out of players. We are not rationalizing away the downside. I am pulling for Mayfield, but if we have to carry this performance of recent turnovers and poor choices as the "new normal" as OK, then I think we need to do something with a different approach. "You are your record."

I think that was a very good assessment by Pluto.

Yeah, usually he can get a bit carried about but this was a really well rounded and reasoned breakdown. Agree on all counts.

I am not asking this in a negative way, but there was a ton of information in that post. I thought some of it was good, other parts were not, and most made at least some sense.

Will you tell me why you thought this "was a very good assessment by Pluto?" And I am just asking 05. No one else.

Hey Vers,

I’m having a hard time articulating my thoughts into a logical cohesive response so I’ll try to number them to provide some semblance of organization.

1. We should be happy with a 4-2 record at this point. We have the talent to win all 4 of those games, and should have won all 4 of those games, but we all know the existing culture and expectations on this team is that we somehow find a way to lose the games that we should win. Hopefully, we have begun to at least begin to grasp the “how to” when it comes to winning games.

2. We did get our asses handed to us by both Pittsburgh and Baltimore. That concerns me. I’ll accept his assessment that we were beat out of the gate by a well oiled machine, although I think it goes somewhat deeper than that. I also agree with him that the Steelers game was just a bad game overall. We have to find a way to stop crapping the bed when we play those two teams.

3. I like his assessment of Mayfield. I agree that the coaches are obviously not going to say anything negative and I disagree with the knee jerk reactions to bench Mayfield or do something that would destroy his confidence. They do need to see him perform through the course of the entire season. I also agree with the assessment that Mayfield was injured, but that he also had lapses in judgment. For instance, that poor read on Fitzpatrick changing coverage was on Mayfield’s processing ability, not on his injury. We do need to see how Mayfield performs the rest of this year, and we really need to see him make strides in these areas. I shouldn’t really be saying “we” by the way when I should be saying coaching staff. I don’t believe Mayfield will suddenly overcome these deficiencies, but I think he needs to demonstrate an improvement.

Thanks.

Yes, this the most important game of the early season the for Browns – Terry Pluto’s Pregame Scribbles
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/10...-scribbles.html

CINCINNATI, Ohio – Scribbles in my notebook as the 4-2 Browns prepare to face the 1-4-1 Cincinnati Bengals.

1. This is a huge game for ... not Baker Mayfield, but Kevin Stefanski. Why a big a deal for the coach? Because Stefanski immediately won respect from the players, his assistants and the front office for how he rallied the Browns after their 38-6 opening day loss in Baltimore.

2. That game shook the confidence of several on the team. But four days later, they beat the Bengals 35-30. The fact that no one expects the Bengals to be a good team is exactly the point ... at times, the Browns would lose a game like that.

3. Instead, Stefanski was calm and organized. He and his coaches changed a few things. They had some problems on defense, but still won. That started a four-game winning streak.

4. Here we are again, the Browns having been spanked 38-7 in Pittsburgh. The Bengals are next on the schedule. If they fall into the Same Old Browns mentality, they’ll lose this game. But if they are the team the front office and coaching staff expect – they’ll win.

5. When I interviewed GM Andrew Berry right before the season, he told me: “I want our team to be disciplined and resilient every week. I want us to be prepared to deal with the inevitable adversity in a strong, positive fashion.”

6. The Browns have some negatives coming into this game. Emerging star guard Wyatt Teller (calf injury) is still out, as is star running back Nick Chubb (knee). Starting tight end Austin Hooper (appendectomy) is out while Jarvis Landry is playing with a broken rib. There are other injuries, but those are the big ones.

7. While the emphasis has been on the recent struggles of Baker Mayfield, it was an overall lousy team effort in Pittsburgh. That included the coaching staff, which failed to make some adjustments. Stefanski admitted as much earlier in the week. The offensive line was manhandled for the first time this season. The defense was ... well, the defense that has been mediocre at best all season. It needs turnovers to be effective, but had none.

8. The Bengals have some unhappy players on social media – Darius Phillips and Carlos Dunlap. Star running back Joe Mixon (foot) is out. They blew a 21-0 lead vs. the Colts last week and lost, 31-27. They are 1-11-1 in games decided by seven or fewer points under coach Zac Taylor.

9. This is the type of game where the Browns need to come out and run the ball hard. They should design some plays to get the ball early to Odell Beckham Jr., perhaps jet sweeps and slant passes. Be creative without being fancy.

10. The Bengals rank No. 26 vs. the run. This should be a good game for the offensive line and Kareem Hunt to return to form. That also should set up Mayfield for some play-action passes. If the Browns win, their record is 5-2 with Las Vegas coming to town before the bye week.

11. Offensive line coach Bill Callahan had his group in full pads Wednesday to “bang away and practice hard. ... It’s good for timing and fundamentals. When you get away from pads, your fundamental techniques begin to erode."

12. The Browns didn’t practice in pads before the Pittsburgh game because of a variety of injuries. It’s hard for the coaches to know how hard to physically push their players once the season begins because you don’t want guys hurt in practice. Callahan said you have to measure that risk vs. “losing a little bit of an edge.” We’ll see if it pays off today.

13. The Bengals will come out throwing. Only Dallas and Philadelphia have attempted more passes than the Bengals. In six games, rookie Joe Burrow has thrown six TD passes compared to four interceptions. He is taking a physical beating, sacked 24 times. Only Carson Wentz (28) has taken more. This is a good chance for Myles Garrett & Co. to impose their will, although Cincinnati will probably throw a lot of quick passes to negate the rush.

14. Zac Taylor: “(Garrett) can change the game in a second. He can get a sack-fumble. ... He is a special player and you need to make sure he doesn’t wreck the game.”

15. Pittsburgh negated Garrett. He did have a sack, but he (like everyone else in orange helmets) wasn’t much a factor. Garrett has had at least once sack in every game with the exception of the opener in Baltimore. But this is a game where he can dominate.

16. Browns defensive passing game coordinator Jeff Howard on Burrow: “He does not play like a typical rookie QB. ... The game is moving slowly for him. He processes information well, sees coverage and gets the ball where it needs to be.”

17. Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods said the Bengals have adapted some of the plays Burrow used at LSU. He also said: “He does a nice job going through his progressions. He’s not a one-look QB.” That’s why he’s thrown only four interceptions despite averaging 41 pass attempts per game.

18. Safety Ronnie Harrison is back from his concussion suffered against the Colts. It came after he picked off a pass and ran it back for a TD. The Browns believe he can develop into a good starting safety.

19. Assistant coach Howard said the Bengals “will use four, even five (receivers) on the field, which is unique.” That’s why it’s important for the Browns to pressure Burrow. If they have four guys continually going out for passes, they don’t have the blockers to protect the QB for long.

20. My prediction: Browns 30, Bengals 27. It’s a close one, but a big win for the orange helmets.

I agree w/him ... this is a big game (and a scary one for me). Cincy has played well considering their lack of talent. They have the better QB and Atkins is back now

We were lucky today to get out with a win IMO. Hats off to our playmakers. I want to watch it again. It is a win. Burrow was impressive. And BM played better without OBJ IMO.

Just win, baby.

Wewere lucky. Our D couldn't stop them today. Heck, we played better D against the Steelers!!

Can you believe how the Cleveland Browns and Baker Mayfield pulled out this victory??!!!– Terry Pluto

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/10...erry-pluto.html

CINCINNATI, Ohio – I’m sitting in the press box trying to believe what happened on this Sunday afternoon at Paul Brown Stadium.

Let’s start with the final score: Browns 37, Bengals 34.

I can barely believe what I’m going to type next.

The Browns won this game on a Baker Mayfield 24-yard pass to Donovan Peoples-Jones with 11 seconds left.

The Browns won this game because they scored a TD in all four of their possessions in the second half.

The Browns won this game with Baker Mayfield completing 22 of his last 23 passes attempted. The only incomplete was a spike into the dirt to stop the clock on the game winning drive.

The Browns won this game with Odell Beckham Jr. leaving the game after injuring his knee on the opening play for the offense.

The Browns won this game with Rashard Higgins doing his own OBJ imitation, catching all six passes thrown to him for 110 yards.

The Browns won this game with tight end Harrison Bryant catching two TD passes.

Donovan Peoples-Jones, sixth-round pick.

Harrison Bryant, fourth-round pick.

Three TDs from two low-round draft selections.

Let’s hear it for GM Andrew Berry and his scouting department!

But let’s swing back to the big point: The Browns won this game when it seemed all was lost.

RISING FROM THE RUBBLE

Remember, this was a game where Mayfield threw an interception on his first pass. It was a poor lob to Beckham. The Browns receiver then injured his knee trying to tackle defensive back Darius Phillips.

Mayfield was a mess in the first quarter, 0-for-5 passing.

When that period ended, Mayfield was on a streak of five interceptions in his last six quarters. It appeared his confidence was shot.

As for the Browns, if Mayfield melted down, then what?

Instead, the Mayfield of 2018 arose from rubble of what looked to be a ruined QB.

He didn’t care how many passes Cincinnati’s amazing rookie Joe Burrow threw (35-of-47 passing, 406 yards); Mayfield was not about to let the Browns lose this game.

His body language screamed, “Just get me the ball!”

He went from seemingly confused by defenses and unsure of what type of touch to put on his passes to a guy who knew EXACTLY where and how to throw it.

He was throwing to everybody. Even David Njoku came out of cold storage to make an excellent catch in the end zone.

Mayfield threw five TD passes.

I repeat: Baker Mayfield threw five TD passes.

He threw to Jarvis Landry (five catches). He threw to his good buddy Higgins. He threw a TD pass to Kareem Hunt. He threw to tight ends.

After the first quarter, he wasn’t just in command of the offense as Coach Stefanski designed it.

Mayfield played like he owned it.

“He’s such a competitor,” said Stefanski. “He doesn’t give up. He didn’t back down. That’s the story of Baker. He had a steely look in his eyes.”

YES, A HUGE GAME

This could be the most important game of the season.

OK, that’s over the top.

But just imagine if the Browns had lost this game...

If Mayfield had lost his confidence, as appeared to be the case early in the game...

And if the offense couldn’t figure out what to do after Beckham was injured...

But Stefanski dug up all his old tight-end red-zone plays to produce the Browns' first three TDs.

Yes, the defense struggled, but it could have been worse.

Denzel Ward had a great game, saving three TDs. He broke up two passes in the end zone to A.J. Green. Then the defensive back from Nordonia High School tipped a pass in the red zone and it was intercepted by teammate B.J. Goodson.

Myles Garrett had two more sacks. Cody Parkey kicked a big 43-yard field goal.

And instead of fans mumbling “Same Old Browns," these new Browns are 5-2 and indeed are showing some real life.

And even after being in Cincinnati to watch it in person, I still find some of this so hard (and so wonderful) to believe.

I'll admit, I was saying, "same ol' Browns" after that first play.

Yes, another big test for Baker Mayfield, but will the defense show up? Terry Pluto Browns’ Pregame Scribbles

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/11...-scribbles.html

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scribbles in my notebook as the Browns prepare to face the Las Vegas Raiders.

1. I started to write about the Browns, but I suddenly saw this stat about the Raiders: They have only seven sacks in six games. Myles Garrett has nine sacks for the Browns. Both teams have lousy defenses. A difference is the Browns can put some pressure on the QB. The Raiders seldom do that.

2. So this should be a big game for Baker Mayfield to build on his breakout performance (5 TD passes, 22-of-28 passing) in the 37-34 victory over the Bengals last week. If you go by yards allowed, the Raiders (404) have a worse defense than the Browns (380). I prefer points allowed per game: Raiders (33), Browns (32).

3. Both teams have bad defenses. Both teams have pretty good QBs. Derek Carr has an excellent ratio of 13 TDs to two interceptions. He’s completing 72% of his passes. He can chew up a defense.

4. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said of Carr: “He is extremely accurate. ... He can throw into tight windows with accuracy. ... He makes very good decisions with the ball.”

5. Raiders coach Jon Gruden raved about Darren Waller, saying of the 6-foot-6, 255-pound tight end: “He is one of the top 2-3 physical talents I’ve coached in my career, and I’ve coached some great physical talents. ... He can run after the catch. He has great stamina. He is really smart. He loves football and is a pleasure to coach.”

6. Waller caught 90 passes last season, and he has 40 catches in six games in 2020. He will put pressure on the Browns safeties and linebackers. This is a major problem for Joe Woods. The Browns' defensive coordinator explained: “We have to pay a lot of attention to (Waller). ... You have to put together your defensive schemes to account for him. ... I feel we have a nice plan and we have different ways to try to cover him.”

7. So keep an eye on Waller and see if Woods is right. Stefanski said the challenge is Waller taking up so much attention from the safeties, it opens up passes to wide receivers.

8. A year ago, the Browns would have had linebacker Mack Wilson cover Waller at least some of the time. Wilson hurt his knee in training camp.

9. A key is pressuring Carr, who has been sacked 11 times in six games. Garrett has been bothered by an ankle injury but is expected to play. Wilson has played 40% of the snaps in his last four games. Woods admitted Wilson “isn’t 100% (physically) but he is progressing that way.”

10. Woods talked about Olivier Vernon, who has done little at defensive end this season: “He is definitely healthy ... he is just trying to get comfortable with the things were are doing on the line. ... His natural position is on the right side, and we played him 50 snaps there (vs. Cincinnati).”

11. Vernon doesn’t have a sack. He had a QB hit vs. the Bengals, only his second of the season. It would seem playing on the opposite side from Garrett would create some opportunities for the veteran defensive end, since Garrett requires so much attention from opposing blockers. But so far, that hasn’t happened.

12. Gruden on Garrett: “Everybody counts sacks. We have a thing called ‘factor grade.’ This guy forces fumbles. He causes sacks for other people. He is good against the run. He bats passes down. His arms are up in the air and he forces inaccurate (passes). His presence is felt a lot. He is a factor wherever he plays.”

13. Gruden tried to find ways to warn his team about the Browns' defense: “They have taken the ball away 14 times.” That is a key, can the Browns force turnovers? That will be hard with Carr having thrown only a pair of interceptions. But here is a key: Carr has fumbled six times, and Garrett is the master of the strip sack on opposing QBs.

14. Old Business: Some fans were wondering why the Browns didn’t rush Cincinnati QB Joe Burrow on the final Hail Mary pass of last week’s game. Stefanski said: “It was my fault. I didn’t think the quarterback could reach the end zone. I thought they would be more lateraling the ball. ... We should have been rushing the passer, that’s on me.”

15. My prediction: Browns 33, Raiders 21. My record is 3-3 this season.

Raiders coach Jon Gruden raved about Darren Waller, saying of the 6-foot-6, 255-pound tight end: “He is one of the top 2-3 physical talents I’ve coached in my career, and I’ve coached some great physical talents. ... He can run after the catch. He has great stamina. He is really smart. He loves football and is a pleasure to coach.”

Several of us have mentioned Waller - I don't know that we have anyone who can stop him. Going to be interesting. Wonder what Joe Woods will scheme up? Ruggs is a deep threat, Agholor has been playing well. Should probably take the over, I don't see how this will be under the 48.5 listed.

Depends, is that 48.5 per team?

Grateful - thanks for posting these

No - that's total. Vegas oddsmakers are smart ... there must be something they are considering. But I think 30+ for both teams is realistic.

That seems quite high for a game total considering the wind/weather expected to be on display this afternoon.

I know, I was joking.
Thought about putting it in purple

The winds could lead to a lot of turnovers today. Hopefully our run game works for us and we don't try to throw it a ton; and hopefully we can stall their run game and get them to try passing more and hopefully that leads to a few takeaways for us.

A win today and were 6-2 heading into the bye with Chubb, Tiller, and Hooper back for the Texans

I Iive along the Lake and it is getting wild up in here. I can only imagine what the swirling winds my be like in the stadium.

I just made a similar comment in another thread, lol
I live about 4 miles south of the lake and the stadium, right off of I-480 on the edge of Parma and the winds are DEFINITELY blowing strong here, already. The maple tree out front on my tree lawn looks like it has a giant blow dryer pointed at it with the way it is moving.