While the Cleveland Browns played the Packers tough, their quarterback Baker Mayfield threw four interceptions and ruined their chance at a win
The Cleveland Browns had never played a football game on Christmas Day. I hope that this is their only one because they got beat by the Green Bay Packers 24-22.
What looked like a promising game for the team after they took a very early lead ended up as a nightmare especially in the first half as their quarterback Baker Mayfield inexplicably threw three interceptions. Those three picks were converted by the Green Bay offense and their quarterback Aaron Rodgers who picked apart Cleveland’s secondary.
Then with the game on the line and the Browns driving under two minutes, Mayfield again inexcusably threw his fourth interception on the night giving the Packers the win. There was a hold by the Packers defender on the pass directed at wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones that wasn’t called but again Mayfield’s decision to try and force a throw late when the team had another chance at the win can’t be defended.
The first half of the game was a tale of two quarterbacks as Rodgers never seemed unhinged while the Cleveland quarterback looked terrible, throwing passes inaccurately and ruining any chance for the team to stay in the game.
Cleveland had been dealing with numerous players on the Covid list over the last two weeks and they got many of their players back for this game, including Mayfield, Wyatt Teller, and Jarvis Landry. Even so, they suffered a loss and their faint playoff hopes were dashed away a bit more after this battle on Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Now, the Browns must win out and beat their divisional foes Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cincinnati Bengals over the next two weeks.
I had suggested coming into the game that the run game would be important to establish early and that they needed to grab the lead early. This team was not built to come back this season. They have struggled, especially late to score touchdowns and that was again on display.
While they did grab the lead at 6-0, Mayfield threw three interceptions on three of the next four drives. That gave the Packers good field possession, and they were able to convert those into touchdowns. That gave the Packers the lead at 21-12 and had to play catch up.
Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield’s roller-coaster season where you’re not quite sure if you should open your eyes yet continues to be the centerpiece to this team’s struggles and highs. There was hope that Mayfield would successfully come back after being sidelined with Covid and play tall against the Packers and his rival Green Bay quarterback opponent in Aaron Rodgers.
Mayfield executed a great first drive that resulted in a touchdown. However, on the next two possessions, he came out and threw two interceptions. He did deliver a nice drive that got Cleveland close at 14-12 but then when the Browns had a chance to take the lead going into halftime, Mayfield threw another interception. That allowed the Packers and Rodgers to score another touchdown.
The inconsistent play by Mayfield in this game only made what has happened to this Browns team as a whole this season more evident on why they sit at 7-8 on the year. The team got to this point, not just because of Mayfield’s poor play but it is a big reason for the failures. There has been much discussion on whether or not Mayfield should be given a new contract after his rookie contract runs out after next season. I’ve been a proponent of that idea for a while but I’m having my doubts at this point if that’s in the team’s best interest.
While I believe Mayfield has been an upgrade and has brought stability to a position on the team that hasn’t been over the last 20 years, I’m concerned about Mayfield’s growth as a player and understanding the small details to a game that can be the difference between good and great.
This defense played against Aaron Rodgers, who is at the top of the class in terms of quarterback play. The Browns are far from having that type of quarterback and that is a tough pill to swallow.
Cleveland Browns defense
You have to feel bad for the Browns’ defense in this game as they honestly played well and kept the team in the hunt for most of the game. Their quarterback however made the task of keeping the Green Bay offense in check almost impossible to defend all game because of his careless mistakes.
However, the Cleveland defense gave their team a chance in the second half. They stopped Green Bay on several drives and were able to carve away at the lead and get as close as 24-22 late in the game.
Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb
The game started with the Nick Chubb taking a Baker Mayfield screen pass and rumbling 40 yards on the team’s opening drive. It ended with Chubb running it in from one yard out for the score.
Cleveland hardly ran the ball in the first half despite Chubb running the ball well when given a chance. In the second half of the game, the Browns coaches decided to concentrate on the run game as the team was able to get back in the game.
Chubb was outstanding finishing the game with 17 carries and 126 yards and the score. He also added three receptions for 58 yards. That’s a nice 184 yards of total offense. Why the play-callers have refused to use him more in the game is of great concern.
On the last potential game-winning drive, Chubb was running well again, and the team got to midfield only needing a field goal. But the coaches took Chubb out of the game on the last series and Mayfield subsequently threw his fourth interception.
Now the Browns have to win out to have any chance at winning the AFC North Division. After this letdown on another game, the team could have won it’ll likely be a tough challenge to win.