Nick Chubb caught one of Mayfield's touchdown passes with a great catch and rushed for the other Cleveland touchdown as part of an 84 yard rushing afternoon to lead the rest of the Browns offense.
The Browns improve to 4-6-1 with the win, snap their 25 game road losing streak and put together their first back to back wins since 2015,.
The Browns will visit Houston next week in what should be a sterner test of the team than the last two against weaker defenses.
Brownie Bits
1) Baker Mayfield was once again accurate and impressive in a win and I'm starting to think that I may have been wrong on him, the only caveat is the last three games that he has played so well against have been among the leagues worst defenses (Chiefs, Falcons, and Bengals).
Mayfield will get a stern test next week in Houston against the Texans.
2) However my initial doubts turn out, today might be the day that I look back at the day Baker Mayfield became "my" quarterback of the Browns.
Hue Jackson came over after the game to give Mayfield a hug etc as happens so often in the game today.
Mayfield gave a halfhearted handshake to Jackson and shrugged off the hug,
Mayfield said later that he took it personally that Jackson moved to a division rival so quickly.
In an era where fans take things to heart more than players usually do, Baker Mayfield is one of us and he just might have won me over.
3) Another player that has played well and acted like one of us was safety Damarious Randall, who intercepted an Andy Dalton throw and ran out of bounds and handed the ball to Hue Jackson.
Not only funny but a way of getting a point across.
4) Nick Chubb was solid but not spectacular on the ground as the Browns gave him the ball 28 times on the day as the Browns attempted to run clock in the second half and finished with 84 yards, but his reaching behind the defender, pinning the ball and tumbling into the end zone was the highlight of the day for the pass catchers.
5) David Njoku also stepped up with a touchdown reception, one that showcased his physical attributes and desire as well.
Njoku was hit with a pass and seemed to be caught as he dove for the goal line, but Njoku continued to push and with a teammate or two's help crossed the line for the score.
Njoku has all the characteristics to be a star in this league, all he has to do is consistently catch the football.
6) The Browns once again spread the football around as eight different Browns caught Baker Mayfield's nineteen completions.
David Njoku caught the most (5) and the most passes were thrown to him as well (5), which means Njoku caught them all in another good sign for him!
7) I did think the Browns didn't do themselves any favors in taking their foot off the gas and playing the clock for much of the second half.
I rarely understand changing what you did to build a lead to protect it, but they held on for the win, although it likely gave the Bengals a little bit hope for the rematch in Cleveland.
8) Another game for the offensive line that allowed no sacks on Baker Mayfield.
Mayfield did wiggle out of one, but on the overall, the pass protection has much improved with Greg Robinson at tackle for the injured Desmond Harrison.
The protection has been helped by the playcalling and route running to get the football out faster and Mayfield with a rolling pocket, but still, they are keeping the passer clean and you have to like that,
9) For the first time, I'm starting to think Gregg Williams may have a chance to keep this job.
I still think it's going to take at least three, if not four wins in the Browns last five games to do, but I can see a scenario where Williams can make the decision very difficult on John Dorsey.
I think the Browns "playoff chatter" is still premature, a five-game win-out of the remaining games only puts them at 9-6-1 and I'm not sure that gets it done, but winning four out of five to finish with a winning 8-7-1 record just might give Williams that "Punchers Chance" of retaining the head coaching position.
10) The Browns turned a corner no matter who the coach is for 2019.
The win gives them a 2-1-1 record inside the division for now (the Browns finish the season against these Bengals in Cleveland before going to Baltimore to finish) and establishes that they aren't to be bullied anymore AND.
11) They put Hue Jackson in the rear mirror for good.
Yes, that game in Cleveland will be a focus for the fans that want to say "goodbye", but the big game was this one.
Hue Jackson was a hire that I agreed with at the time.
The Raiders were terrible for years and only Jackson's one season at 8-8 stood out, so I thought that it could have been the organization and not Jackson.
Jackson wasn't the only problem (Sashi Brown) with the Browns, but it is clear that his behavior was toxic and his continued presence was holding the team back.
After this win, the Browns can finally move away from Hue Jackson.
I have a ton to write about- the boxing weekend, passings and even more!!!
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