Baker Mayfield silences critics at least for a week in Browns t

• Posted by John Short July 18, 2022 - Filed in Arts & Culture - 373 views

  Baker Mayfield silenced the doubters for a week.

  It could have been so much worse for him had Cleveland lost to in-state rival Cincinnati and fellow No. 1 pick Joe Burrow on Sunday. The Browns could have had their AFC playoff credentials further examined leading up to Mark Barron Jersey a Week 8 matchup against the Raiders.

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  Mayfield kept the noise down with a 24-yard touchdown pa s to Donovan Peoples Michael Brockers Jersey -Jones with 11 seconds remaining to give Clevelanda 37-34 victory in Cincinnati. Mayfield finished22 of 28 for 297 yards, five touchdowns and an interception.

  He answered a potential game-winning drive by Burrow,who finished 35 of 47 for 406 yards and three touchdowns. He shook off a slow start, which includedan interception and . He rattled off 21straight completions at one point.

  That's a hell of a response Brandin Cooks Jersey after . Cleveland is 5-2, and that's good enough for a week.Mayfield should be used to this routine by now, though.The scrutiny isheightened when you play in theRust BeltBermuda Triangleof NFL miserythat consists of Cincinnati, Cleveland and Eric Dickerson Jersey Detroit.

  The Bengals and Lions haveNo. 1 picks at quarterback, too.Burrow is just getting started with theproce s, and Cincinnati has better days ahead. Detroit's Matthew Stafford who threw the game-winning touchdown pa s to Dustin Hockenson on the final play of a 23-22 victory in Atlanta can relateto the long-term fight for respect. Mayfield has the Browns in the best position among Samson Ebukam Jersey those three franchisesthis season, but there isextra pre sure when youare expected to be thesavior.

  Those three franchisesand their fan baseslive on week-to-weekemotionalpaychecks, and Mayfield cashed in at crunch time at the expense of a bad Bengalsdefense.

  That does not diminish what Mayfield did in the final drive. He made it work with Peoples-Jones and Rashard Higgins, who caught a 30-yard pa s to push the Browns to the Cincinnati 24. After a spike which was Mayfield's only Johnny Hekker Jersey incompletion after an 0-for-5start he delivered the game-winner.

  Mayfield also threw two TDs to Harrison Bryant,one to David Njoku and oneto Kareem Hunt. He carried his team, which was alreadywithout Nick Chubb and might lose Beckhamfor a while, Trumaine Johnson Jersey too.

  That's what franchise quarterback are supposed to do.Cleveland could have laid up for the game-tying field goal in that situation. It could have blown this game in overtime. The consequences would have fallen mostly on Mayfield, whois being questioned as the future of the franchise.

  The Browns are 5-2, and Mayfield swept Burrow in a pair of shootouts.Cleveland is ble sed with a soft schedule that should produce at least 10 wins and a playoff berth. The remaining nine games:

  WEEKOPPONENTWeek 8vs. Las VegasWeek 9ByeWeek 10vs. HoustonWeek Zach Laskey Jersey 11vs. PhiladelphiaWeek 12at JacksonvilleWeek 13at Tenne seeWeek 14vs. BaltimoreWeek 15at N.Y. GiantsWeek 16at N.Y. JetsWeek 17vs. Pittsburgh

  The next step, of course, will be playing better against the franchises that live with year-to Tavon Austin Jersey -year NFL prosperity. Tenne see, Pittsburgh and Baltimore are more established contenders,but that's a conversation for later in the season. On Sunday, Mayfield delivered.

  Ive been critical of Baker. I loved him coming out but he has not been good for a while. What Cam Akers Jersey I saw today gave me belief he still can be the franchise. Amazing poise when it mattered most. Hell of a win by the

  Dustin Fox (@DustinFox37)

  This week it's about the Raiders.

  Mayfield can prove it all over again in Week 8.