Cleveland Browns Week 16 studs and duds: Baker Mayfield in giving spirit

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Dec 25, 2021; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski reacts in the fourth quarter during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

The Cleveland Browns suffered their eighth loss of the season on Christmas. One of the main reasons for the loss was Baker Mayfield turning the ball over.

It was another close game but once again, the Cleveland Browns suffered defeat this weekend. This time, it was a 24-22 loss that saw their comeback attempt fall short when Baker Mayfield threw his fourth pick of the day while trying to drive his team into field goal range.

Now at 7-8, the Browns season is officially on life support as they will have to root for losses out of the other AFC North teams this weekend. Then, they need to find a way to beat the Steelers and Bengals down the stretch to have any hope.

As for this game, let’s look back at all the studs and duds including Baker Mayfield, who was in the giving spirit on Christmas Day.

Cleveland Browns Stud: Nick Harris, C

J.C. Tretter might miss a lot of practices but he always pushes through and gives his all for the Browns. However, he was unable to play this weekend after coming down with COVID, which meant second-year player Nick Harris would get a shot at center.

While there were plenty of issues on offense, Harris was not one of them. The Washington product did everything asked of him including getting out and making several blocks in the open field to help the running game get back on track.

Harris was a smart pick in 2020 as it gave them someone who could replace Tretter down the road and he proved on Saturday that he’s going to be up to the task.

Cleveland Browns Dud: Kevin Stefanski

It’s becoming a weekly thing where we ask why Kevin Stefanski — or whoever is calling the plays — abandons the run. In this one, it was extremely frustrating because it was working so well.

The Browns had 219 yards on 25 carries, which is nearly a 10-yard per rush average. But then when the game was on the line, and with Cleveland still clutching all three timeouts, Stefanski dialed up three passes which resulted in two incompletions — although David Njoku was wide open on one play — and a pick.

Nick Chubb should be the face of the franchise but during their biggest drive, he was on the sidelines watching Mayfield miss his throws.

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