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The Cleveland Browns won a football match for the first time in 635 days.
If Baker Mayfield's performance (17 of 23, 201 yards) against the New York Jets on Thursday night was not the best indication, the Browns 21-17 win will not be the team's last win this season . Mayfield entered the game at the end of the second quarter to injure Tyrod Taylor. It would be shocking if he gives way to Taylor for reasons related to something other than an injury.
Mayfield immediately offered the Cleveland offensive with a spark that had been missing for some time, and he moved the team effectively to the field, generating points on three of his four records. The Browns started the series of goals to finish the first half, but Mayfield also led two touchdown attempts – one each in the third and fourth quarter – to bring the Browns to a 14-0 deficit and win their first match . victory since Christmas Eve 2016.
Mayfield got some help along the way as the Cleveland defense for the third straight game had a negative impact on the performance. Myles Garrett and Larry Ogunjobi did an excellent job upstream. Denzel Ward imposed another turnover in the back, putting Cleveland in the range of goals. Joe Schobert, Chris Smith, Trevon Coley and Genard Avery have also played successfully.
And in the end, the Browns – the Cleveland Browns! – went away with a win. Open crack these Bud Light victory refrigerators, guys. It does not happen often.
Here are a few other things to know about Cleveland's first appearance victory forever.
Baker Time
It was a lousy night for Tyrod Taylor. The starting quarterback of the Browns was appalling from the start – not that he had a lot of help thanks to his terrible offensive line, which allowed three sacks and many pressures – and completed only 4 of 14 passes for 19 yards. He missed several free throws, including a deep pass to Antonio Callaway that would have resulted in a long touchdown pass. He threw Callaway at about five meters and the pass became incomplete.
In the second quarter, he fell awkwardly under pressure and finally left the game with a concussion.
It was relieved by the general choice # 1 Baker Mayfield, who immediately showed a better pace in the passing game, including his first career move, which was a Jarvis Landry success. (It's unclear exactly why the Browns had a much more limited playbook with Taylor in the game than a rookie who had never played in the NFL, but that's certainly what happened.) Mayfield finally managed to bring the Browns back within range of the two-minute practice, and new kicker Greg Joseph hit a 45-yard post through the posts.
Mayfield showed all the skills that made him the number one choice. It was accurate in short, intermediate and deep areas. He kept alive parts with his mobility and made things outside the pocket. He adjusted the jets in tight windows and opened the guys before they reached the peak of their career.
Mayfield even scored a two-point pass with Landry, on a game that should be a little familiar to anyone watching the Super Bowl last year.
His presence in the backfield has also relaxed things for Carlos Hyde, who ended up with much more space when Mayfield entered the game and finally finished with 23 races for 98 yards and two points, including the winner. .
Denzel Ward is a playmaker
The Browns came in the NFL lead with eight appearances, and rookie cornerback Denzel Ward played an important role with two interceptions of Ben Roethlisberger in his first career start in the first week. Throw receiver Robby Anderson from the ball in the back of the Jets territory in the middle of the third quarter, then retrieve the fumble himself and bring him back to the 8-yard line.
The Browns, being the Browns, have only turned the opportunity into a goal on the pitch. In any case, Ward got off to a great start in the NFL because he was a secondary complement to Browns playmakers Myles Garrett and Larry Ogunjobi. (More on them later.)
Darnold is fighting
Unlike No. 1 in the overall standings, the starting quarterback of the Jets did not have a very good match. For most of the night, the only thing Sam Darnold could do with some consistency was Quincy Enunwa's fast fire screens, which broke a plating and / or found a seam in Cleveland's defense in order to first low.
Darnold only completed 15 of his 31 passes for 169 yards and two interceptions – one on a throw that he forced to double by falling late in the fourth quarter, and the other on a shot from despair.
Darnold did not miss a ton of free throws or anything like that – he never really had any pace and had a hard time pushing the ball down. This is partly due to the pressure the Browns exerted on him and some were due to a fairly strong coverage, but he did not seem to have the same type of command as in his early starts.
Darnold was in a difficult situation on the road for a short week with an underestimated defense and he will have better games in the future, but that was not his best effort and that's quite acceptable.
The dynamic duo of Cleveland in the front
Myles Garrett, the # 1 choice in 2017, is an absolute monster. He was electric again on Thursday night, putting pressure on Sam Darnold from the jump.
Garrett ended the match with two tackles, two sacks, a tackle for defeat, a defensive pass and another shot on Darnold. And it is arguable that he was not even the most impactful defensive lineman of Cleveland.
Larry Ogunjobi is also a star in the making, and he was absolutely everywhere for Cleveland in this one. The final count for O-Gun: eight team tackles (four solo, two for defeat) from his position on the home defense line and some games where he simply destroyed the Jets guards and ruined things a chance to go there.
Game of revenge will sour
Isaiah Crowell, a former Browns running back, is now part of the Jets' time share. Crowell was not as successful on the field (16 carries, 34 yards), but he managed to find the end zone twice, leading the Jets to a 14-0 lead.
Naturally, he celebrated his second score by pretending to wipe his ass with the football and then throw it into the stands. Something tells me that the book Dawg did not appreciate the message.
Crowell was beaten by team-mate Bilal Powell, who was much more efficient with 14 yards on 73 carries and escaped several meters to win portions of the field. Apart from Enunwa's fast screens, it was the only source of Jets footage for most of the night. And of course, the Jets have not even won the game of revenge, which must sting the most.
Browns first time in color
Browns wore their Color Rush jerseys for the first time Thursday night.
If you ask me, it's absolutely not a coincidence that they won a match for the first time since 2016. They should tear up the calendar and wear these sweaters every week.
And after?
The 1-1-1 Browns have 10 days to prepare for the Oakland Raiders, and it would be absolutely shocking if Mayfield was not in the middle. The Jets are now 1-2 years old and have time to heal their wounds before heading to Jacksonville to face the terrifying Jaguars defense in Week 4.
You can relive the victory back in our live blog of the festivities below.
Thank you for joining us.
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