–For the first time in recent memory the Browns can plan for the next offseason without making quarterback a top priority. That’s because Baker Mayfield has settled that major problem.
Mayfield has thrown 17 touchdown passes and seven interceptions this season. He threw three touchdown passes Nov. 11 against the Falcons and four last Sunday – to four players – in Cincinnati.
“I like where he’s going,” interim head coach Gregg Williams said. “I like the fact that every day he’s looking to improve and get better.
“He was one of the first guys in the building on Monday (after beating the Bengals). He was also involved with his coaches on going through the victory Monday. He did not take the day off today. He was looking to get better and get on to the Texans as fast as he can. I like his gradual progress.”
Mayfield’s passer rating of 93.2 ranks 20th among NFL starting quarterbacks.
–Mayfield in an Instagram post on Monday referred to former Browns head coach Hue Jackson as a “fake” after saying he didn’t want to talk with Jackson, now an assistant coach with the Bengals, after the Browns won in Cincinnati last Sunday. Mayfield on Wednesday said he had no regrets.
“People took it as me personally attacking Hue, but that’s not it,” Mayfield said Wednesday. “It’s the fact that I get to have my own opinion on how it transpired and he gets to do what he wants.
“There are just things that happened inside the building that I’m not going to get into detail with. It’s in-house information and it doesn’t matter. I get it, but I don’t have to get into details. That’s how it works.”
–Rookie running back Nick Chubb rushed for one touchdown and caught a touchdown pass against the Bengals. He also had a touchdown run and a touchdown catch against the Falcons. He is the first player in franchise history – not just the first rookie – to score rushing and receiving touchdowns in back-to-back games.
–Center JC Tretter sees a direct correlation between the Browns’ resurgence and Gregg Williams taking over as head coach.
“Discipline has been great,” Tretter said. “I think it’s something we desperately needed. He’s really reined everybody in and has everybody focused on one single goal.
“His leadership has been very strong. He fires up the team. He has that personality; I think everybody knows that. He’s done a great job of rallying the troops to one cause. I think you see that on Sundays.”
Williams was named interim head coach when Hue Jackson was fired on Oct. 29.
BY THE NUMBERS: 0 – sacks allowed by the Browns the last two games after giving up 35 in the first nine games.
