3 Reasons the Cleveland Browns will win their playoff game

1. Two names

For the Browns to win, two names will have to be the best players on either offense or defense. The first name is Baker Mayfield. Baker must be the best offensive player for either side on Sunday night. That’s a big ask with so much talent on both sides, including Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger.

While the challenge may be great, there is no doubt that Mayfield can accomplish this. The good news is, this doesn’t mean he will have to throw for 400 yards and 4 touchdowns. It just means he needs to complete 70 percent of his passes and not turn the ball over. If he does that, Chubb and Hunt will take care of the rest.

His biggest issue will be that Steelers pass rush. Mayfield must make quick decisions and Van Pelt must call quick passes, especially early in the game. The first sign to look for on Sunday is how Mayfield handles the first pressure. Does he take a sack? Does he force a throw? Does he look comfortable and find a way to make a completion or throw it away? Let’s pray it is the latter of the three, as he continues to improve throughout the season.

The second name to watch is probably obvious, and that is Myles Garrett. Garrett has been one of the most dominant players in the league all year, but it appeared last week he had a slight injury that limited him. It’s tough to say if the coaches were somewhat saving him, or if the right arm is in that much discomfort.

The key here, he must outperform his opposing pro-bowl end, Watt. And while Watt has been a Brown’s killer, the combination of Jack Conklin blocking him and Garrett going off for a huge game gives me confidence this can happen.

No doubt about it, Garrett must be in Roethlisberger’s face all day and must get him to the ground at least once. The gravy would be at least on strip-sack as well. If Garrett can get Big Ben uncomfortable early, it will make life easier on the defense.