Browns: 3 players who need to step up against the Raiders
By Chad Porto
Baker Mayfield
Expecting Baker Mayfield to go 22-22 for 300 yards and five touchdowns isn’t realistic each week. That doesn’t mean he’s not going to be vital for the team to succeed, nor does it mean he won’t have a big game. Mayfield should hit near 300 yards even with the heavy focus on the run, and with his swagger (hopefully) being back, Mayfield should have a multi-touchdown game.
The good thing to also note is that the Raiders defense isn’t very good. They’re not going to be able to get after Mayfield as other teams have done, and that means the offensive line should be able to give him time to throw. With his accuracy being at an all-time high, and his very good third year netting the Browns their best record in decades, the odds that Mayfield falls off against the Raiders isn’t high.
Still, we’d all prefer he not wait until the second quarter to come out firing. While it made for entertaining television and what Browns fan doesn’t love that drama, it’s still to blow a team out. So let’s hope the Browns start early, start fast and Mayfield throws a few daggers to break the will of the Raiders.