Cleveland Browns: 5 players whose stock dropped against Texans
Five Cleveland Browns who saw their stocks take a dip following a 29-13 beating at the hands of Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans.
The Cleveland Browns fell back into the losing column, with a 29-13 defeat at the hands of the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
The loss lowers Cleveland’s record to 4-7-1 and ended a two-game winning streak. Additionally, the defeat all but eliminated the Browns’ from capturing the final Wild Card spot in the AFC Playoffs.
The Texas were favored in this contest, but with the Browns riding high with wins against the Falcons and Bengals, more than a few card carrying members of the Dawg Pound were predicting an upset.
Houston, having won eight straight, rebuffed those hopes, showing why they’re closing in on first-round bye come postseason time.
From the onset, this game was a tough one to watch with the Texans quickly establishing themselves as the super team.
These five members of the Browns saw their stocks take a hit.
1. Baker Mayfield, QB
Baker Mayfield through three interceptions, with the most critical coming in the second quarter. The throw was returned for a touchdown, giving the Texans a 17-0 lead and basically eliminated the Browns from seriously contending in this game.
It’s been a few weeks, but the No. 1 overall pick looked like a true rookie in this one, failing to establish a rhythm, as he did against the Falcons and the Bengals in his last two starts.
Against Atlanta, Mayfield completed his first 13 passes before throwing an incompletion. Against Cincinnati, Mayfield was perfect on his first drive, which resulted in a touchdown.
He hadn’t thrown an interception since Nov. 4, when the Browns were pounded at home by Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Last year’s Heisman Trophy winner now has 10 interceptions this season.
Mayfield was much better in the second half–throwing for 397 yards overall- but only because the Browns were trailing that offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and no choice but to dial up passes.
Being down by such a huge margin hurt Baker in that that the Browns weren’t a threat to get play-action calls going. Nick Chubb had nine carries for 31 yards. That was the extent of Clevelands’ rushing attack.
While Mayfield’s stock is down, we’d all love to own shares. Look for a bounce-back week when the Browns return home to face the Carolina Panthers.