10 things I think: Cleveland Browns, Baker Mayfield, Hue Jackson’s bad day

Ten things I think about the Cleveland Browns dismantling of the Cincinnati Bengals, Baker Mayfield, Hue Jackson and being “In the hunt.”

1. Hue Jackson is taking a beating. For those that blame Hue for all things 3-36, then you take great pleasure in the fact that former Browns coach is being perceived as a beaten man.

His old team whipped his new team. His defensive coordinator has two wins as head coach in three games. It took Jackson 35 games to get that magic number. Baker Mayfield‘s treating him like an ex-girlfriend, being cold as ice in the post-game handshake.

To top it all off, Damarious Randall embarrassed Hue by handing him an intercepted football. Clearly, the safety was showing him up and all Hue could do was take the ball and pat his former player on the helmet.

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2. I don’t know how the Bengals hire him as head coach should the franchise finally move on from Marvin Lewis. Based off the reaction from this game, Cincinnati would go into a full-blown revolt.

Mayfield reiterated things he said following Jackon’s termination after the Bengals game, and the one thing that stood out was this quote.

"“You can put your own spin on it, but we have the same players.”"

If that doesn’t scream, “Our head coach was preventing us from winning,” I don’t know what does.

Then, there was this:

"Didn’t feel like talking to him. He was here trying to tell us to play for him. Then he goes to a team we play twice a year. That’s how I feel. We have people we believe in calling the plays now.."

Tells us how you really feel.

3. I had two favorite plays. David Njoku being pushed into the end zone was an emotional roller coaster. Joy, fear, worry and finally elation.

Great play, just try not to leave your feet like a crazy man anymore, Chief.

The other? Mayfield with that play action fake and then hiding the ball like a fifth-year vet before unloading for a big completion.

4. I think Gregg Williams has a long way to go to be seriously considered for the Browns’ permanent coaching job, but he’s certainly starting to enter the conversation.

His stock should skyrocket if the Browns upset Houston Sunday.

Williams hasn’t done anything in three games that has you throwing things at your TV. The team looks more disciplined and apparently buy into whatever he’s selling.

5. Freddie Kitchens has been a breath of fresh air. He obviously has a rapport with Mayfield, in addition to having a good feel for the game. The Browns can’t afford to let go of talented people, no matter whom the head coach turns out to be.

6. I think Josh Cribbs should get an audition as special teams coach. Could things be any worse than they already are?

7. I think it’s a tough pill to swallow that the fan base has had to endure all the losing. Not just since 1999, but the last few seasons. The NFL is set up for everyone to compete, yet the Browns are constantly snapping historically bad streaks.

Cleveland just earned two divisional wins in the same season for the first time since the 2014 campaign. The Browns also won back-to-back games for the first time since 2014. Tying the NFL’s road losing streak (26) was also avoided.

It’s just so frustrating. Sports is supposed be a distraction from the sometimes harsh realities of life. Even mediocre teams win consecutive contests and come up victorious in an away game here and there.

The level of ineptitude the Browns have dealt with over the years, well, if you think about it too long, I suppose it might take years off your life!

8. I’m not thinking about playoffs yet. But a win against the Texans next week certainly puts the Browns “In the hunt.”

9. The Ravens are emerging as a possible wild card candidate, winning their second in a row with Lamar Jackson under center. Would John Harbaugh seriously consider benching Joe Flacco for the rookie?

By the way, the Browns play at Biltmore in the season finale, Dec. 30.

10. Perspective is everything. There’s a lot of Browns fans who would’ve jumped at the chance to do what the Cincinnati Bengals have done the past seven years. The Bengals have  made the playoffs five times since then, with Andy Dalton as their quarterback.

With that said, there’s not one playoff win to show for it and Cincinnatians are fed up with mediocrity. Talk to a Bengals fan, and you’d think they were the ones who just endured a 1-31 stretch.