Three reasons the Cleveland Browns will beat the Colts

Number 2: Turnover-free Baker Mayfield

Outside of his rookie season, it’s been a struggle for Baker Mayfield in the NFL, especially when you look at turnovers. Yes, he has the arm talent and the mouth to be sure people know where he is at all times. But throwing for 35 interceptions in two seasons made many worried that he was the right guy to end the quarterback carousel for the Browns.

Enter the year 2020 and head coach Kevin Stefanski, however, and things have changed. The run game has become the main focus for the Cleveland Browns, and taking care of the football has become a priority for Baker Mayfield and the rest of the offense.

Mayfield has not thrown for an interception in two consecutive games, and if he can get through Sunday’s matchup without throwing one, it will tie for his longest career streak of games without throwing an interception. While that may not sound overly impressive to some, it shows growth in Mayfield’s decision-making and maturity at the NFL level.

There are still plenty of fans who don’t think Mayfield is the guy in Cleveland, but he is doing everything he is being asked to do by his coaches and playing well within the new system. Sure, he’s only thrown for over 200 yards once this season, but with a team that has as talented a backfield as there is in duo as Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, as well as an offensive line that ranks number one in the NFL in run-blocking grade at 88.1, according to PFF, what more do you need.

The Cleveland Browns will defeat the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday because, for a third straight game, Baker Mayfield will play smart football and let the players around him do the hard work and win the game.

Mayfield will make smart decisions throwing the ball, throw for a few touchdown passes, and rely on the running game once more to cruise to another victory Monday.