{"id":73230,"date":"2019-09-18T10:03:43","date_gmt":"2019-09-18T14:03:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=73230"},"modified":"2019-09-18T10:03:43","modified_gmt":"2019-09-18T14:03:43","slug":"baker-cause-for-concern","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2019\/09\/18\/baker-cause-for-concern\/","title":{"rendered":"Baker Mayfield Cause for Concern Despite Win Over New York Jets"},"content":{"rendered":"

Up until a couple of weeks ago, the Cleveland Browns<\/a> versus New York Jets<\/a> seemed like an exciting Monday Night Footballmatch-up. Unfortunately, the Browns being thrashed around by the Tennessee Titans<\/a> in Week One and Jets quarterback Sam Darnold<\/a><\/strong> being diagnosed with mononucleosis was the perfect foreshadowing for this sluggish game. After getting blown out at home last week, Baker Mayfield<\/a><\/strong> had a prime opportunity to get back on track. While Baker didn\u2019t have a bad performance necessarily, it was fairly pedestrian and definitely not up to expectations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Concerns Over Baker Mayfield Despite Decisive Win Over New York Jets<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Trouble Beneath the Surface<\/h3>\n

You may take a superficial glance at Mayfield\u2019s stat line and think, \u201cWhat are you talking about, 325 yards with a touchdown is a pretty good performance.” Well, here\u2019s what I\u2019m talking about. Baker has great receivers to throw to no matter where he\u2019s looking downfield. To complete just 54 percent (19\/35) of his passes is bad, but to do it against the Jets is criminal. A quarterback with the receiving corps of Odell Beckham<\/a> Jr.<\/strong>, Jarvis Landry<\/a><\/strong>, and David Njoku<\/a><\/strong> should not be hovering around 50 percent completion. <\/span>To make matters a bit more concerning, Baker was fortunate to leave MetLife Stadium with just one interception. In the waning minutes of the first half, a pass batted into the air from Mayfield fell just out of reach from the Jets defenders. If the Jets weren\u2019t so dismal, there could\u2019ve been more. Baker was lobbing passes over receivers’ heads and into tight coverage, and he honestly didn\u2019t look like the guy the media has been selling us on for months.<\/span><\/p>\n

Odell was the real star and savior of last night\u2019s game. His spectacular one-handed grab along the sideline and catching an 89-yard touchdown pass from Mayfield were highlights. Or as I should say, catching a 12 yard pass from Mayfield followed by 77 yards of unreal speed and elusion from Odell, was a highlight. It can\u2019t be a good sign that nearly 30 percent of Mayfield\u2019s production came on this one play. Against the Jets, more is expected of him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Step Up or Step Aside<\/h3>\n

Through Week Two, Baker is completing barely 60 percent of his passes and has just two touchdowns against four interceptions. This kind of play would usually be accepted in Cleveland, but considering the Super Bowl aspirations the media laid upon them, it\u2019s just not good enough. The next five games see the Browns face teams who are all currently 2-0 (vs. Los Angeles Rams<\/a>, at Baltimore Ravens<\/a>, at San Francisco 49ers<\/a>, vs. Seattle Seahawks<\/a>, at New England Patriots<\/a>). This ranks among the toughest stretches any team faces this season, and Baker has to elevate his play soon. If not, the Browns risk not only losing grasp on the AFC North crown but losing grasp on a wild-card spot as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>