Colin Cowherd thinks Baker Mayfield’s entire reputation on the line
By Sam Penix
One game is still just one game
It appears that Cowhed conveniently ignored the fact that Mayfield has played extremely well since Week 6, proving that he is a legitimate franchise QB. It turns out that giving a third-year QB, who had to deal with a revolving door of terrible coaches throughout his first two seasons, time to gel in a brand-new offensive system, is a good idea.
Mayfield is finally comfortable in Stefansk’s scheme, and the results have been encouraging to say the least. 26 touchdowns and just eight interceptions is better than anyone could have realistically predicted, and the team finished 11-5.
He’s in a really tough spot this week with a fourth-string left guard and no Stefanski or Bill Callahan against perhaps the best front-seven in the NFL. The Steelers terrorized Mayfield in Week 6, even when the line was missing only Wyatt Teller, and backup Chris Hubbard was playing in his stead.
It stands to reason that things would be different in the rematch, as the Browns went from getting wiped in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens to nearly beating them in the game of the year. Stefanski clearly held back in Week 17 against Pittsburgh’s backups, no doubt planning to unleash things in the wild card round.
It would be extremely disappointing to lose to Pittsburgh, especially given the circumstances, but even if Mayfield and the Browns were to get “rolled”, it doesn’t change what happened in the previous 16 games. It doesn’t eliminate the clear growth that Mayfield has undergone, and it doesn’t make the future any less bright.