The Cleveland Browns needed to be at their best in Week 6 against the Seattle Seahawks, and Baker Mayfield has stepped up to the challenge.
Expectations are finally high for the Cleveland Browns in 2019, as they were widely viewed as the favorites to win the AFC North coming into the season. Ben Roethlisberger’s season-ending injury and an early win over the Baltimore Ravens, led by an impressive Lamar Jackson, have given the Browns hope that they won’t fall short of the hype train.
But the Browns fell back down to earth in Week 5, losing 31-3 on Monday Night Football to the undefeated San Francisco 49ers. It was a woeful performance, reminiscent of their Week 1 loss at home to the Tennessee Titans.
Cleveland needed to bounce back in a big way this week against another Super Bowl contender in the NFC West, and they are currently off to a dream start with a 20-6 lead in the second quarter. They can’t afford to take their foot off the gas against MVP candidate Russell Wilson, who already has one improbable comeback under his belt in the 2019 regular season.
That said, Browns fans have to love how the team has responded. Baker Mayfield, in particular, has been impressive, completing 8 of his first 10 passes for 102 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Seals-Jones.
Questions have been asked of Mayfield early this season, as the “overrated” word has been tossed around in reference to the 2018 No. 1 overall pick. But Mayfield has strongly responded to those critics with his on-field performance in Week 6, shredding a decent Seahawks defense, once again spreading the ball among a variety of targets.
Nick Chubb’s continued greatness on the ground has certainly helped Mayfield, as the Georgia product scored a touchdown and reeled off a 52-yard rush to set up Mayfield’s touchdown toss. And Mayfield reminded fans that he’s no slouch on the ground either, scoring a rushing touchdown of his own against Seattle.
The Browns have the talent to be a Super Bowl contender in the AFC, joining the likes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans as dangerous teams for the defending champions. And speaking of the defending champions, the Browns must face the undefeated – and untested – New England Patriots in Week 7, so a big win over the Seahawks would be quite the momentum boost heading into a potential preview of the 2020 AFC Championship Game.