Mayfield pushes Browns back into AFC playoffs, prominence

Baker Mayfield forcefully planted his Browns flag on Sunday. With weight of a city's football hopes riding on his back, Mayfield delivered for Cleveland and its long-suffering fans.

Coming off an embarrassing performance a week earlier, Mayfield, who came into NFL vowing to return a fallen franchise to glory, sent Browns back to playoffs for first time since 2002 — and perhaps into a new era.

“He wanted this one, I can promise you that," first-year coach Kevin Stefanski said of his quarterback.

Mayfield threw a touchdown pass and made several big runs, including a game-sealing sweep in final minute, as Browns ended NFL's longest playoff drought with a 24-22 win over Pittsburgh Steelers to set up a rubber match between AFC rth rivals in playoffs on Sunday.

victory should quiet any discussion wher Mayfield's franchise quarterback that eluded Browns for years. team is expected to pick up his fifth-year contract option after season and possibly sign him to an extension.

Mayfield's earned it.

He showed up three years ago brimming with swagger, cradling a Heisman Trophy and best kwn for TD passes, trash talking and on-field antics. Such as time he tried to spike an Oklahoma flag into Ohio State's logo after beating Buckeyes.

After finally putting away Steelers on Sunday, Mayfield, who fumbled three times last week in a loss to New York Jets, clutched game ball tightly while doing postgame interviews on field. He n walked off as “Cleveland Rocks” blared through FirstEnergy Stadium's speakers.

Mayfield glanced at scoreboard to see highlights of “Brian Sipe, Bernie Kosar and some old-schoolers," naming two legendary Browns QBs.

Cleveland just might have a new one.

With Browns clinging to ir lead and facing a critical third-and-2 with 1:10 left, Stefanski put game in Mayfield's hands — well, actually his feet.

Mayfield initially thought it was a joke when a designed running play was called. But he rolled right, picked up blocks from right tackle Jack Conklin and running back Kareem Hunt, and sprawled forward past marker for a first down.

Once he turned corner, Cleveland's playoff drought was history.

Mayfield punctuated an orwise routine play that will surely be remembered by Browns fans with an emphatic first-down signal.

He's pointing way w, fulfilling promise made at NFL combine in 2018, when Mayfield confidently said if Browns wanted someone to lead m from darkness, y should take him with . 1 overall draft pick.

“He brings people along,” Stefanski said of his 25-year-old leader. “He's guy who everybody looks to. His leadership is on display at all times. He's a fiery player. He's a fiery person. You just see a player who really wants it.”

Mayfield's three seasons have been filled with ups and downs. He's on rise w and bringing Browns with him.

WHAT'S WORKING

For second straight week, Stefanski didn't overuse his running back tandem of Nick Chubb (14 carries) and Kareem Hunt (10). While his decision t to ride Chubb during a strong first half was questionable, he'll have m fresh eugh for Steelers, who won't be sitting defensive studs T.J. Watt or Cameron Heyward this week.

WHAT NEEDS HELP

Cleveland's secondary was missing top cornerback Denzel Ward, part-time starter Kevin Johnson and starting safety Andrew Sendejo after y tested positive for COVID-19. Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph exposed Browns' backups while throwing for a career-high 315 yards.

Stefanski wouldn't say if Ward can — or will — return this week. Browns need him to take eir Juju Smith-Schuster or rookie Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh's top playmakers.

STOCK UP

Rookie linebacker Jacob Phillips did a nice job filling in for starter B.J. Goodson, who missed his second straight game with coronavirus. Phillips handled signal calling for Cleveland's defense and finished with a team-high 10 tackles.

“He did amazingly well,” defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi said. “To step in a role in a big game like that and play as well as he did is a testament to how much he wants it."

STOCK DOWN

Browns' offensive line was healthy again, but out of sync, which could partially be blamed on little practice last week due to COVID-19 protocols.

Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio was twice whistled for false starts and Mayfield was sacked four times. It didn't help that unit was missing coaches Bill Callahan and Scott Peters, both on COVID-19 list.

INJURED

Cleveland's defense lost a big piece with end Olivier Vern rupturing an Achilles tendon. Vern has been a strong contributor all season (9 sacks) and he stepped up when Pro Bowler Myles Garrett missed two games with COVID-19.

Also, rookie wide receiver and punt returner Dovan Peoples-Jones has a concussion.

KEY NUMBER

17 — Consecutive losses at Heinz Field for Browns, who haven't won in Pittsburgh since 2003.

NEXT STEPS

Browns insist y're t concerned with past issues in Pittsburgh, and dismiss any idea y lack playoff experience. Stefanski pointed out team has coaches and players who have won Super Bowls.

“Guys have been re and y understand once you get here, you have a chance,” he said.

Im credits: AP