Cleveland Browns Team Awards: MVP, Rookie of the Year, more handed out

Biggest Win: Week 3 vs. New York Jets

There were three finalists here. One was the Week 10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. That one showed the world Cleveland could compete with a team that had recently been in the Super Bowl. The next was their Week 12 win over Cincinnati as it was their first road win of the season and ended a 25-game streak of losing on the road.

While both of those wins were huge, none lifted the spirits of these fans like their comeback win in Week 3 on Thursday Night Football over the New York Jets. After falling behind and looking at 0-3 as a real possibility, Baker Mayfield came in and led the Browns to a huge win — while also showing up Sam Darnold, the quarterback most fans wanted over Mayfield.

It was a signature win for the rookie as he announced he was for real. It was also big for the fans who needed something good to cheer for. Oh, and it also gave the Cleveland area free beer which was awesome.

Best Moment: The Staredown

This one was the easiest award to hand out. Baker Mayfield made it known he didn’t care for Hue Jackson. He called the former coach ‘fake’ and wouldn’t hug him after their first meeting. Then when they met in Week 16, Mayfield upped the ante as he clearly showed up the man who he has no respect for.

After sealing the win with a 66-yard pass to tight end David Njoku, Mayfield stared into Jackson’s soul for an eternity while backpedaling down the field. That had to feel great for him as Mayfield was denied a chance to show what he can do with his first coach.

Mayfield even had to endure a lame ‘you won the backup job’ speech from Clueless Hue. If he knew anything about Mayfield, he should have understood No. 2 isn’t winning anything in his mind. Maybe Jackson thinks that’s an accomplishment, but someone like Mayfield — you know, a winner — expects more.

So Mayfield let Jackson know where the former coach stood. And every Cleveland fan everywhere was cheering loudly. That’s what made this moment so great. Baker is in Cleveland to win and he’s got no fear in announcing that to the world — even if some people get their feelings hurt.

Football is back in Cleveland. And no fans deserve it more than those who cheer on the Browns. 2018 was a great season and these players all deserve our thanks.