5 Things to watch in Cleveland Browns first preseason game

1. Baker and his weapons

Even with all the other Cleveland Browns storylines swirling, Thursday nights biggest spectacle will be Baker Mayfield finally on the same field with both Odell Beckham, Jr. and Jarvis Landry. When Mayfield took over the starting job from veteran Tyrod Taylor in the first half of their Week 3 contest against the New York Jest, the entire team looked better.

His energy and enthusiasm was the real reason for the culture change as the Browns suddenly looked like a team that could win some games — rather than the one that had been getting beat up on so frequently in recent years. That carried over into every aspect of the game and they ended up reeling off five wins in their final seven games.

On top of that, Mayfield set the record for most passing yards by a Cleveland rookie and then broke the NFL record for the most touchdown passes by a rookie as well with 27. This was done without having an All-World receiver like OBJ out there making circus catches — and starting just 13 games.

So far in camp, we’ve only been treated to small glimpses of the two working together. That could once again be the case on Thursday as neither is expected to play long, but seeing No. 6 out there with all his weapons is going to be a lot of fun.

There will be plenty to watch on Thursday night, even with the starters only getting in on the action for a limited time. Football is finally back, and the Browns are ready for a great season.