Mayfield lifts Cleveland to 1st win since 2016
Rookie quarterback and top draft pick delivers in relief
CLEVELAND (AP) — For the first time in 635 days, the Cleveland Browns found a way to win. Baker Mayfield showed them how. The No. 1 overall pick replaced injured starter Tyrod Taylor and sparked the Browns, who got two one-yard touchdown runs from Carlos Hyde and beat the New York Jets 21-17 on Thursday night for their first win since Dec. 24, 2016.
And so ends Cleveland’s 19-game winless streak, the NFL’s second-longest since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.
The Browns (1-1-1) trailed 14-0 in the first half before Mayfield came in for Taylor and led four scoring drives while winning an unexpected matchup against Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold. Cleveland passed on taking Darnold in the draft and instead chose Mayfield, the Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma.
Mayfield finished 17-of-23 for 201 yards in a little more than a half after coming in after Taylor suffered a concussion.
For Darnold, a promising start ended with his second loss in three games. He completed 15-of-31 passes for 169 yards, but threw two picks late in the fourth as he tried to rally the Jets. Darnold had one last chance, but he was intercepted by Terrence Mitchell with just 11 seconds left.
When the final seconds ticked off the clock, Cleveland fans, who had endured an 0-16 season and waited nearly two years to see their Browns win, erupted in celebration.
This was just one win, and while it was an ending, it also felt like a beginning — because of Mayfield.
Isaiah Crowell had two touchdown runs for the Jets (1-2), who seemed in control when they took a 14-0 lead and knocked Taylor from the game.
Browns kicker Greg Joseph made field goals of 45 and 27 yards after being signed just three days ago.
Browns coach Hue Jackson got just his second win in 35 games since being hired by owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam, and this win will ease some of the pressure that he’s been feeling to get Cleveland turned around.
Jackson could also be faced with a difficult choice — either stick with Mayfield or go back to Taylor when he’s healthy. For now, Mayfield will be the man going forward.