The long-awaited re-match between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cleveland Browns lived up to the hype, with Patrick Mahomes and company escaping with 33-29 victory in Week 1.
It was brutal for Browns fans to watch, as the Browns were throwing a perfect game until the bottom fell out in the fourth quarter. When up against the two-time defending AFC champs, you just can’t let that happen.
There was a lot to like about what we saw out of Browns because even in defeat, the team cemented itself as contenders. They can go punch-for-punch with the class of the AFC. If they can shore up those final few mistakes, then we could very well see a re-match between these two teams come January.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield gave a speech after the game to fire up his his team, so hopefully this one fires the Browns up and keeps them hungry. There’s a long way to go–look at last year for reference.
After a blowout loss to the Ravens, the Browns went on to earn a playoff berth. The 16-, now 17-game season a long and wining road and it’s a journey we’re all looking forward to taking.
Now, here’s a look at three Browns whose stocks are down in defeat.
1. Cleveland Browns S Ronnie Harrison
The Cleveland Browns still can’t cover Tyreke Hill or Travis Kelce, and it shot the team in the foot, yet again.
Until the Browns prove they’re able to stop–or somewhat limit at this point–these two playmakers, then Baker Mayfield and the offense will be required to throw a perfect game on offense.
That’s why Ronnie Harrison is going to shoulder the blame here. The Browns can’t afford to lose starting personnel in the secondary five plays into a game–not against this team. Harrison’s ejection for shoving a Chiefs’ assistant coach may have been unjust, but the veteran safety must know better.
The Browns have spent considerable resources in bolstering their defense, especially in the defensive backfield, but John Johnson, JOK, Anthony Walker–they might as well have been guys from last year trying to slow Kelce and Hill.
2. Greedy Williams
The analytics weren’t kind to Greedy Williams, who graded out with a dismal mark of 31.5 in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus.
At least Williams was on the field, though, a small victory for a player who missed all of 2020 with that bizarre shoulder injury.
His woes can chalk his woes up to playing against Patrick Mahomes, who’s capable of making a lot of corners look out of sorts.
For what its’ worth, starting corners Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome didn’t garner high praise from the analytically oriented website.
Ward had a grade of 64.0 in coverage, while Newsome had a mark of 67.3. Both of those figures represent play of a backup level player.
3. Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield
I’m getting a little blowback on a piece I wrote about Baker Mayfield failing a franchise quarterback test for his game-sealing interception.
It was a test and Mayfield failed. That said, I think some misunderstand my point of view. I’m pro Baker. If he’s good, then the Browns will be good. But at some point, if we’re going to get serious about finally winning a Super Bowl, the quarterback has to make the play with the money on the line.
The greats pull it out in the end. It’s really that simple and Mayfield didn’t do it–this time. That doesn’t mean he won’t rise to the occasion next time, but I think it’s worth keeping track of these situations because ultimately, having a field general who can finish the mission with under two minutes to go is the difference between just making the playoffs and ending the franchise’s 57-season championship drought.
Mayfield had the Browns going, getting them to around mid-field before forcing a throw as the rush was closing in. With 1:09 remaining, his mistake sealed Cleveland’s fate.
For the day, Mayfield was 21-of-28 passes for 321 yards. He excelled in Kevin Stefanski’s offense, as the coach was misdirecting the Chiefs all day with his mix of passes and runs. For what it’s worth, Mayfield was splendid on some money throws, in which he had to hit Donovan Peoples-Jones and Austion Hooper in the breadbasket to keep the chains moving.
It’s all relative, of course. by Mayfield’s stock is down, for at least a week, anyway. He still doesn’t have a contract extension and he didn’t help himself with the pick at the end of the game.
Cleveland Browns: Stock down honorable mention
John Johnson had a good game, but the play on the 75-yard touchdown was brutal. It’s like he had no idea where Tyreke Hill was–and you just can’t lose track of a playmaker of his caliber.
Granted, Johnson probably never thought Patrick Mahomes would be able to sling it like that, yet there he was, and there was Johnson chasing Hill into the end zone.
Donovan Peoples-Jones was a non-factor in the contest, which was stunning after his stellar preseason. If you would’ve told me had just one target–and it wouldn’t come until late in the fourth quarter, I would’ve guessed the Browns were getting smoked.
Finally, punter Jamie Gillan can punt the ball a country mile, but you don’t get to the Super Bowl by dropping perfect snaps in the fourth quarter of a close game.
There isn’t much to add about Gillan, other than his blunder was uber costly.