Baker Mayfield is finally playing like the quarterback Browns fans have always wanted
Baker Mayfield did something no Browns QB had done for 69 years.
Baker Mayfield’s performance in Week 12 led to some questions about his long-term viability as the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns. In an incredible first half in Week 13 against the Tennessee Titans, Mayfield set about emphatically answering those questions.
Mayfield had received criticism after missing a series of lay-ups during a narrow 27-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, with the Browns leaning heavily on a potent ground game to squeak out that victory.
But talk of the Browns trying to hide Mayfield was put to bed in impressive fashion in a matchup of 8-3 teams as Cleveland surged to a 38-7 halftime lead. Mayfield reached the half 20 of 25 for 290 yards and four touchdowns, which included a one-yard toss to offensive tackle Kendall Lamm and a 75-yard bomb to rookie Donovan Peoples-Jones.
It was a history-making two quarters for Mayfield, who became the first Browns quarterback to throw for four touchdowns in the first half of a game since Otto Graham achieved that feat in 1951, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
Per Sporting News, the 38 points scored by the Browns in the first half is the most in franchise history.
That it has taken 69 years for somebody to emulate franchise great Graham is reflective of Cleveland’s dismal track record when it comes to drafting quarterbacks.
However, with most having previously assumed the Browns would have to take a run-heavy approach to compete with the best in the AFC, their demolition job of the AFC South leaders also arguably serves as evidence they can win in multiple ways.
It is debatable whether this level of performance from Mayfield is sustainable, particularly since it has come against a pass defense that went into Week 13 ranked 27th in Football Outsiders pass defense DVOA.
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But, with the Browns set to move to 9-3, Cleveland looks almost certain to end a playoff drought that stretches back to the 2002 season. In the postseason, a quarterback only needs to capture the magic for a few weeks to propel his team to a deep run. Mayfield has proven he can still produce such wizardry.