Browns: 3 players who need to step up in rematch against Bengals
By Chad Porto
The Browns are looking to get back on track against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7, and to do so these three players need big games.
The Cleveland Browns are taking on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7, and need a win after a one-sided drubbing by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The critics went from sweet to sour on the Browns after a bad game, and while unfair, the Browns need to respond in kind. Baker Mayfield looked bad, the offensive line looked worse, and the defense was apparently in Rancho Cordova because no one showed up to tackle.
So the Browns need to answer against the 1-4-1 Bengals. If the Browns win, we get to avoid the city burning down. If the Browns lose to the hapless Bengals? Well, I already have a few fire extinguishers handy.
Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield got an unfair but not unexpected drubbing by fans and critics alike. Despite Kevin Stefanski outright admitting to putting Mayfield in bad places all game, the always ready crowd of dissidents who only show up to burn Mayfield effigies were out in full force after Pittsburgh. The fans were already talking about replacing him with Case Keenum (who did just as poorly) and looked not for answers, but for blood.
Honestly, Mayfield played badly. Worse yet, the entire team played bad and because of the combined struggles of everyone, not just Mayfield but coaches too, the team got walloped. Yet, Mayfield took the brunt. Why? Because some dork once said the quarterback was the most important position in sports. It’s not, it’s the offensive line, and trust me, there are plenty of receipts (as the kids say) to prove that.
The team can and has won with Mayfield. Don’t let the talking heads on ESPN and Fox Sports 1 tell you differently. They’re trying to sell you something. Mayfield had one subpar year and is in the middle of one of the best seasons a Browns QB has had in over 30 years. Why are people so quick to bail? Mayfield has to take this criticism seriously, however, and prove he can play. He can’t get trapped in that quicksand. Play your way out, and eventually, people will change their minds.
Or don’t, we’ll still be here either way.