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Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns have plenty of adversity to beat in the event that they need to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers within the wild-card spherical on Sunday. Not solely are the Steelers favored to win, however Cleveland has seven starters on the reserve/COVID-19 checklist, and head coach Kevin Stefanski received’t be capable to coach the sport, both. Nonetheless, if the Browns don’t have sufficient additional motivation to win this sport towards their division rival already, they do now, because of Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. In reality, Mayfield and the Browns needs to be pissed about his current feedback.
Baker Mayfield and the Browns have plenty of adversity to beat
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For the primary time since 2002, the Cleveland Browns are within the playoffs. It has loads to do with the play of Baker Mayfield and their operating backs, too.
Mayfield solely threw for 3,563 yards this season, however he took care of the ball a lot better this yr than he did final yr. After throwing for 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in 2019, Mayfield threw for 26 touchdowns and solely eight interceptions this yr.
The operating sport, although, is what has actually made the Browns profitable, as Nick Chubb ran for 1,067 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 video games this season. Kareem Hunt additionally added 841 dashing yards and 6 touchdowns.
Nonetheless, after ready virtually 20 years to make the playoffs, the Browns will now have a tricky time beating the Steelers on Sunday. Pittsburgh is already a tricky workforce to beat. They’re 12-4 and virtually beat Cleveland in Week 17 with Mason Rudolph at beginning quarterback. The Browns have much more adversity than that to beat now, although, as head coach Kevin Stefanski and their Professional Bowl offensive lineman Joel Bitonio have each examined optimistic for COVID-19, in response to ESPN. They received’t be on the sport on Sunday.
Along with this, the Browns even have seven whole starters on the reserve/COVID-19 checklist, which incorporates cornerback Denzel Ward, who earned Pro Bowl honors in 2018. This has all compelled the Browns to shut their facility, as they’ve been unable to observe. Cleveland has finally been making ready remotely all week.
JuJu Smith-Schuster has given the Browns bulletin board materials
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Not solely do the Cleveland Browns most likely have already got the “us towards the world” mentality as a consequence of every thing that has been occurring, however Steelers broad receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has just lately given them much more materials to placed on their bulletin board along with his current feedback.
“I feel they’re nonetheless the identical Browns workforce I play yearly,” Smith-Schuster mentioned, in response to ESPN’s Jake Trotter. “I feel they’re anonymous grey faces. They’ve a few good gamers on their workforce. However on the finish of the day … the Browns [are just] the Browns. [It’s] AFC North soccer. They’re a great workforce, however I’m simply completely happy we’re enjoying them once more.”
Nonetheless the identical Browns? That remark both proves that he doesn’t really take note of different NFL groups or that he’s purposefully attempting to throw shade at Cleveland as a result of what he mentioned is simply merely not true.
Cleveland had a shedding season in all however three years from 1990 by means of 2019. Smith-Schuster has additionally performed for the Steelers since 2017, and within the three seasons he performed towards Cleveland previous to this yr, the Browns went 0-16, 7-8-1, and 6-10. This yr, they’re 11-5. Moreover, Mayfield ought to actually really feel disrespected, as he threw 13 fewer picks this yr. Smith-Schuster is sort of appearing like Mayfield and the Browns simply haven’t improved in any respect.
This remark alone ought to give the Browns extra motivation for Sunday’s sport. So, what are their probabilities of successful?
Can Baker Mayfield and the Browns defeat the Steelers?
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Baker Mayfield and the Browns received’t have their head coach. Additionally they received’t have what seems like seven starters, and so they have been unable to observe this week. Nonetheless, they do possibly have extra of an opportunity than folks suppose they do.
The Steelers began the season 11-0 however have misplaced 4 of their final 5 video games. Their offense struggled in these video games, too, because it scored 22 factors or much less in every of their 4 losses.
Ben Roethlisberger additionally struggled immensely in Pittsburgh’s two losses to the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals in Weeks 14 and 15. He went 21-of-37 by means of the air for 187 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions towards Buffalo. He additionally went 20-of-38 for 170 yards, one landing, and one interception towards Cincinnati. It’s late within the season, and Father Time may be catching up with him.
Pittsburgh’s protection additionally hasn’t been as nice these days. It has solely allowed 19.5 factors per sport on the season, however has given up 23 factors or extra each week since Week 13.
So, sure, the Browns have loads to beat. However Pittsburgh’s struggles and the truth that JuJu Smith-Schuster has given them some additional motivation just lately needs to be loads of causes for Cleveland followers to have some optimism heading into Sunday.
Stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference
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