Mayfield Near Perfection as Browns Defeat the NY Giants, 20-6

Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns took no chances against the New York Giants. The guests from Ohio defeated the hosts on Sunday Night Football with 20-6, earning their 10th win of the campaign.

The Browns already reached the record from 2007, which was the best since the franchise got back to Cleveland in 1999. With one victory in the next two rounds, this generation will become the best in Browns’ new history.

“It’s something to be proud of, but the best part is that everybody in there is like, ‘Yeah, 10 wins, but we’re on to the next one.’ Notch on the belt and move on. We’re not done yet,” said Baker Mayfield, following the game, adding that his team has greater ambitions than improving the regular-season record.

The Browns’ QB had two 95-yard touchdown drives, ending the game with the highest completion percentage in the franchise history. The 2018 No.1 draft pick had 27 of his 32 passing attempts hitting the target, with two delivering a touchdown. That was an 84.3% completion rate, 0.4% higher than Kelly Holcomb had in 2003. Mayfield ended the night with 297 passing yards and a 98.3 QBR.

Both of those TD scores came in the second period. At first, Mayfield hit Austin Hooper and, after that, Jarvis Landry, to lift the Browns to 13-3 at the halftime.

Cleveland’s defense held the home team scoreless in the middle frames, and overall, it allowed Graham Gano to hit two field goals, which were the only points the Giants recorded in this matchup.

Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt yielded 71 rushing yards, far below their usual productivity. Chubb would add one TD in the final period, but overall, Mayfield and the defense were dealing with the Giants, and the fantastic RB duo had one easy game.

On the other side, the Giants needed the victory here to stay in the hunt for the NFC East’s top spot. They are one win behind Washington, who also lost last night. However, they appeared without Daniel Jones, who was ruled out due to an injury, with Colt McCoy as the starter.

The former Brown, McCoy, was 19-for-31 for 221 passing yards, without any interceptions or touchdowns. He couldn’t create a swing that would move his team down the field, and it is no wonder why New York had just 14 first downs.

“We have to score some points. Like I mentioned coming out of this game is that is my frustration. We didn’t do enough in the red zone. A lot of that is on me. It’s tough. That’s frustrating,” McCoy stated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyPBdeef-jI

Overall, it was a pale performance of the Giants at the worst possible moment, with them ending up in a tough position following tonight’s loss.

They are 5-9, and visit the Ravens in Baltimore next week. John Harbaugh’s side is in a desperate situation as well, and they need to win both of their matches until the end in order to get into the playoffs. The Giants hold the tiebreaker over Washington, but having in mind that they play against the Cowboys (who are also chasing the NFC East No.1) in the last game, at home, things are very complicated for Joe Judge’s side.

On the other side, the Browns 10-4 now play with the Jets, who beat the LA Rams, making the biggest surprise of the year so far, posting their first win. Beating the worst team in the league would probably secure them the postseason berth. After that, they host the Steelers in Week 17.