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CLEVELAND, Ohio – Doodles in my halftime notebook as the Browns lead the Chargers, 20-13:
1. The Browns opened the game with “easy” throws for Baker Mayfield, as offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt called it at his press conference later in the week. The first three shots were made by tight end David Njoku, who caught them all for 62 yards. Then he connected on a screen pass to Donovan Peoples-Jones for 12 yards.
2. And then Mayfield hooked up with his reliable receiver … Rashard Higgins … for a 7-yard touchdown. This allowed Mayfield to go 5-5, all comfortable throws for Mayfield. Some good adjustments by the technical staff to help the QB.
3. The quick pass attack helps the offensive line, which is left tackle Jedrick Willis Jr. (ankle). Blake Hance starts on the left tackle. Mayfield’s incomplete first pass was an easy fall from Odell Beckham Jr. on a fourth and second play. Mayfield had completed his first nine assists so far. The Browns were on Charger’s 17-yard line when OBJ dropped the ball, giving LA its back.
4. TD’s pass to Higgins was the first to a Browns receiver this season.
5. The Browns secondary suffered a major breakdown when Mike Williams caught a 72-yard touchdown pass. Denzel Ward left the game with a neck injury. This led to AJ Green playing for the cornerback position. When Williams ran deep, Green figured security Grant Delpit would take the receiver. And Delpit thought Green would stay with Williams. And no one did … wide open for a TD.
6. At halftime, Mayfield was 11 of 14 for 156 yards and the touchdown pass for Higgins. Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb totaled 104 yards on 21 carries as the Browns attacked the Chargers’ defense.
7. At the end of the first, Greedy Williams and Delpit combined to force a fumble recovered by Malik McDowell at the LA 21-yard line. This set up a fielding, the second of the game for Chase McLaughlin. He’s now 9-for-9 on field goals this season.
– This post has been updated to reflect Mayfield’s stats after the Browns’ last practice in the first half.
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