Cleveland Browns: Studs and duds in dominating Week 9 Battle of Ohio victory

Cleveland Browns stud: Baker Mayfield

After a week filled with criticism and his doubters coming back into the forefront, Baker Mayfield had himself a very productive day, throwing for 218 yards and two touchdowns. The most important thing, however, was his overall poise in the pocket and not making any backbreaking mistakes.

After all the criticism of the failed Odell Beckham Jr. experiment in Cleveland landed on Mayfield’s shoulder’s, following OBJ’s dad posting a video of him missing his son over and over again, Mayfield put it all behind him and connected on 66% of his passes, hitting open receivers all over the field. Mayfield was even able to find receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones streaking down the field for a 60-yard touchdown, something that he and OBJ struggled to do in their time together.

It’s clear that Mayfield is just a better quarterback when he doesn’t have to cater to a receiver like OBJ, a talented player who just demands the ball. With Mayfield being able to play with receivers on the field that he has true chemistry with, he looked every bit the quarterback that elevated his play down the stretch of 2020 to help his team reach the AFC Divisional round.

If this game wasn’t just a fluke, and Mayfield’s play starts to look like this on a consistent basis, the Browns offense will take a huge step forward, and the team will have a great shot at getting back into the playoffs.

Cleveland Browns dud: Odell Beckham Jr.

Yes, Beckham Jr. was not on the field, as he is pending a release to waivers on Monday, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t the dud following Sunday’s game. His reason for making this list as a dud is pretty obvious, but should still be stated: the Cleveland Browns are better off without him.

After all of the drama that came out this week, including what seemed like a lot of players coming to the defense of Beckham instead of their quarterback, the team went onto the field and manhandled the Cincinnati Bengals. With an up and down season on offense in 2021 so far, Mayfield and Co. had their best all-around game without the star receiver, proving that they very well may be better off without him.

Any team that claims or signs OBJ will be getting a talented playmaker, but after Sunday’s game, teams may want to take a second look at what they have in-house before bringing him in. If the Browns are this much better of a team without him, maybe he really isn’t somebody you want to have around in your locker room.

Odell lost this one, and while nobody on the Browns will say as much, they’re a better team without him. No more forcing passes to him, no more sideline tantrums, and no more “Come get me” or whatever other drama he decides to try and start.

Baker Mayfield and the Browns offense are moving forward without OBJ, and are looking like they’re gonna be just fine doing so.