The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Mayfield to be tested by Ravens’ defense
Left tackle Desmond Harrison tasked with keeping Ravens’ Terrell Suggs away from QB
Baker Mayfield’s job of pulling the Browns out of the swamp is about to get a whole lot tougher.
The rookie quarterback, who on Sept. 20 led the Browns to their first victory in 635 days and then 10 days later turned the ball over four times in a 45-42 overtime loss to the Oakland Raiders, will be tested by one of the stingiest defenses in the NFL on Oct. 7.
The Baltimore Ravens, leaders of the AFC North with a 3-1 record, head to FirstEnergy Stadium for a 1 p.m. kickoff against the Browns. The Ravens are ranked second overall defensively (Jacksonville is No. 1), second in third down efficiency, first defensively in yards allowed per pass play and fourth in yards allowed rushing per pass play.
As a side note, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is 17-2 against the Browns, which indicates Mayfield will likely have to do what he did against the Jets. He entered the game late in the second quarter with the Browns down, 14-0, and pulled out a stunning 21-17 thriller.
“Obviously, we have some turnover things we need to clean up. I think he’s turned into a leader both on the field and off.” – Coach Hue Jackson
Pulling a repeat, even with the home town crowd behind him, will be a monumental challenge. The Ravens have yet to give up a touchdown in the second half and have given up only nine second-half points in four games. Opposing quarterbacks have a 47.9 passer rating – another first for the Baltimore defense – in the second half.
“Baltimore has obviously been historically a great defensive franchise,” Mayfield said on Oct. 3 in the Browns’ locker room in Berea. “They trust what they are good at, and they’re going to run it. They’re playing well right now. I expect them to continue to do what they’re good at and also throw a couple of wrinkles in there for me.
“We’ll have to see that on the fly, but if we do our job and we see our keys, they can’t throw anything that we haven’t seen. We just have to be prepared and just do our job.”
Mayfield, the first pick in the 2018 draft, last week is following the path of other top rookie quarterbacks this year. Sam Darnold, taken third overall by the Jets, started the opener. He threw two touchdown passes and one interception as the Jets pounded the Lions, 48-17. Since then the Jets have lost three straight. Darnold has thrown two touchdown passes and four interceptions.
Josh Allen, taken by the Bills with the seventh overall pick, was named the starter in the second week. He threw one TD pass and two picks in a 31-20 loss
to the Chargers. He led a stunning 27-6 upset of the Minnesota Vikings in his second start while throwing one touchdown pass and rushing for two touchdowns. One week later – back to reality. The woeful Bills were shut out, 22-0, at Green Bay and Allen threw two interceptions.
Josh Rosen, picked 10th overall by Arizona, made his first start last week. He threw one touchdown pass and no interceptions but the Cardinals still lost, 20-17, to Seattle.
“We think (Mayfield) has the make-up we look for in that position,” Browns coach Hue Jackson said after practice Oct. 3. “We think he still has a ways to go, still growing each and every week, but he’s demonstrating the ability to pass the ball and to lead a team.
“Obviously, we have some turnover things we need to clean up. I think he’s turned into a leader both on the field and off the field. I think the players kind of look to him, and I think that’s important. He kind of has that charisma, and that’s a good thing.”
The Ravens have 10 sacks. Terrell Suggs leads with 2.5 sacks.
“Athletic. Talented,” Mayfield said when asked about the Ravens linebackers. “You see guys that want to intimidate you. They’re physical.
“The Ravens defense is known for being physical and trying to out-physical the other team and set the tone for the whole game. On top of that, they can run. They have guys that can do it all. It is going to be a good matchup for us.”
Rookie left tackle Desmond Harrison is tasked with keeping Suggs out of Mayfield’s beard.