The Cleveland Browns needed a win yesterday to solidify their place in the 2020 NFL Playoffs. They did just that. The Browns are ever so close to ending a 17-year playoff drought and also matched their best record since 2007. The New York Giants are now in a must-win scenario if they want any chance to tie the Washington Football Team and sneak into the playoffs.
The Browns were quite the favorite in this one, as Vegas had them winning by nearly a touchdown on the road. Thus, quarterback Baker Mayfield needed to live up to those odds, and he did just that. Mayfield went 27-32 on his passes, setting a Browns’ record in completion percentage (84.3 percent), according to ESPN Stats & Info. He also threw for 297 yards and led two 95-yard touchdown drives, leading his team to a 20-6 victory. Mayfield posted his third-best passer rating of the season at 126.2 and was lights out through the first half. Two out of the three first-half drives resulted in a touchdown. Tight end Austin Hooper and wideout Jarvis Landry were the two recipients of Mayfield’s second-quarter touchdown throws. Landry had a fine day himself, catching seven passes for 61 yards.
Defensively, the Browns did their job. They held the Giants to just 74 rushing yards, did not allow a single touchdown, and were clutch on third downs. Safety Karl Joseph had a night leading the Browns in tackles with 10, knocking down two passes, and racking up a tackle for loss. Cleveland’s defense held the sluggish Giants offense to just 288 total yards in this one and forced a field goal and two turnovers on downs in the red zone.
For the Giants, nothing went their way last night. If there was one positive for the now third-place team, it was that Nick Chubb didn’t have a career night. New York’s front seven held Chubb to just 50 yards, and he averaged only 3.3 yards a carry. Chubb also had a fourth-quarter touchdown to put the game out of reach. Blake Martinez was able to rack up 10 tackles, leading the team, but the secondary was all over the place. While they were stout against the run, the defensive line could not get after Mayfield and put up a single sack when Dexter Lawrence finally got home.
Offensively, it was a nightmare. Filling in as play-caller was former Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens. While they were aggressive early, such as a fake field goal which ultimately failed, and a fourth-down attempt two drives later, they were able to squander just six points all game. Colt McCoy went 19-31 on his passes and put up 221 passing yards. Meanwhile, Alfred Morris led the team in rushing with just 39 yards. The Browns took care of business in this one.
Highlights
Touchdown @God_Son80❗️
📺: https://t.co/jyHm6MrARd pic.twitter.com/mW6mzXJMIk
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 21, 2020
Mayfield delivers a laser to Landry in the endzone.
.@bakermayfield finds @AustinHooper18 for SIX!
📺: https://t.co/jyHm6MrARd pic.twitter.com/5dv8hVXuvj
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 21, 2020
Hooper hauls in a floater from Mayfield for the score.
.@NickChubb21 is IN for the touchdown! 🚂
📺: https://t.co/jyHm6MrARd pic.twitter.com/38dJKwwGjA
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 21, 2020
Chubb stretches over the goal line for the only second-half touchdown.
As the season begins to come to an end, the Browns will want to hope they get healthy in the trenches. Guard Wyatt Teller was absent in this one with an ankle injury. His replacement Chris Hubbard hurt his knee on Cleveland’s second play of the game and did not return. Interior defender Sheldon Richardson also left the game early after injuring his neck. Next week the Browns take on the now 1-13 New York Jets.
For the Giants, they are going to have to figure something out on offense. While they were playing a backup at quarterback, injured starter Daniel Jones didn’t look great two weeks ago either. The secondary will get a huge piece back next week in James Bradberry, who had to sit out this game due to coming into close contact with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19. Unfortunately for the Giants, things aren’t going to get any easier as they take on the Baltimore Ravens next week.
Check us out on our socials:
Twitter: @PTSTNews and @TalkPrimeTime
Facebook Page: Prime Time Sports Talk
Join our Facebook Group: Prime Time Sports Talk
Instagram: @ptsportstalk
Follow Ethan Hewett on Twitter @hewett_ethan
Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
0 Responses