Mayfield makes statement
QB’s big game in upset moves Browns closer to 1st playoffs since ’02
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Baker Mayfield and the Browns can do more than just run the ball, and the NFL’s longest active playoff drought is moving closer to an end after 18 seasons.
They just need to finish what they start a bit better.
Mayfield threw for a seasonhigh 334 yards with all four of his touchdown passes in the first half, and the Browns scored the first 17 points before holding on to win their fourth straight, 41-35 over the Titans on Sunday.
With both chasing AFC playoff berths, the Browns looked like the team leading a division — they’re second in the AFC North behind the unbeaten Steelers — as they improved to 9-3 for the first time since 1994. The Browns have only won nine games in a season three times in their expansion era, which began in 1999.
“I think people know we are a good team now when we play well, and that’s what we did today,” Browns running back Nick Chubb said.
The Titans (8-4) came in leading the AFC South and left tied after the Colts beat the Texans 26-20, though the Titans still have the better division record. The Titans fell apart after a bad fourth-down spot on their opening drive.
NFL rushing leader Derrick Henry lost his first fumble this season on the next drive.
“Things kind of snowballed,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel said.
Mayfield kept the Browns from needing the NFL’s top rushing offense in what had been expected to be a run-game showdown against the Titans and Henry. The Browns had their best-scoring half ever, leading 38-7 at halftime, topping the 35 points scored in the second half against the Bengals in 2004.
The Titans made it interesting late, outscoring the Browns 28-3 in the second half.
Mayfield became the first Browns quarterback to throw four TDs in the first half since Hall of Famer Otto Graham in 1951.