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6 Studs and Duds for the Cleveland Browns in playoff-clinching win

By Greg Newland

Jan 3, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) kneels in the end zone before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) kneels in the end zone before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 3, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool (11) catches a touchdown as Cleveland Browns cornerback Terrance Mitchell (39) defends during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Dud: Secondary

The Browns came into this game beat up in the secondary. Greedy Williams hasn’t played a snap all year and then Kevin Johnson, Denzel Ward, and Andrew Sendejo all missed the game because of COVID-19. While Johnson should return next week, it is still up in the air if any of the others will be able to go because of testing positive for the virus and not just being close contacts.

While being down three starters is a valid excuse, their performance on Sunday was at the level of a few middle school games I have been to. Robert Jackson who filled in as the second corner was constantly beat in deep and intermediate routes, and Terrance Mitchell continues to be inconsistent.

Mason Rudolph threw for 315 yards against this secondary, that is just flat out embarrassing. A couple of his throws were nice timing routes that would be tough to stop, but 4 or 5 passes that accounted for over 125 yards were just toss up balls that Cleveland defenders lost.

I know, I know, don’t beat up a position group when they are down, but with Ben Roethlisberger back in the lineup next week, this group better get it together or the Steelers will hang 50 points on them. No matter how bad the Steelers running game is, if you can complete a 10 yard out at any moment, it’s tough to get off the field.

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