The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
No OBJ, no problem as offense sizzles
Beckham, Landry sit; Mayfield throws TD pass in his only series
Baker Mayfield threw a touchdown pass to end his only series, superstar Odell Beckham Jr. never put on his helmet and the Browns gave a brief preview of their offensive firepower during a 30-10 win over the Redskins in an exhibition opener Aug. 8.
Mayfield picked up where he left off following his “dangerous” rookie season,
firing a 24-yard TD pass to Rashard Higgins as the Browns went no-huddle and drove 89 yards in just 2:13 to open the game.
They did it while Beckham, the Browns’ major offseason acquisition, was kept on the sideline along with Pro Bowl receiver Jarvis Landry by firstyear coach Freddie Kitchens.
Mayfield didn’t need his top targets. He misfired on his first pass, but was otherwise flawless, going 5 of 6 for 77 yards and a perfect 158.3 rating before turning Cleveland’s offense over to backup Drew Stanton.
While the Browns’ quarterback situation is finally settled, the Redskins’ is, well, incomplete.
Case Keenum, who is in a three-way competition with Colt McCoy and rookie Dwayne Haskins, started and threw a 46-yard TD pass — thanks to a miscommunication by Cleveland’s defense — to receiver Robert Davis in the first quarter. He finished 4 of 9 for 60 yards.
McCoy was kept out after being tripped in practice this week. He’s still recovering from surgery after breaking his right leg last season and the Redskins didn’t want to take any chances.
Haskins, who set numerous passing records during one season as Ohio State’s starter, completed a 27-yard pass on his first attempt. However, he badly underthrew a pass in the second quarter and was picked off by rookie linebacker Mack Wilson, who returned it 40 yards for a TD to give the Browns a 14-7 lead.
Haskins threw a second pick later in the half. He completed 8 of 14 passes for 117 yards.
Browns rookie Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi returned a punt 86 yards for a TD in the final minutes.
Expectations are massive for the rebuilt Browns as well as Kitchens.
They’re off to a fast start.
Stepping up
Higgins took advantage of Beckham and Landry not playing and had a big night, catching five passes for 98 yards — all in the first half.
Injuries
BROWNS >> OL Kyle Kalis left with a concussion in the second quarter. He’s been competing for the starting job at right guard. Cleveland has had a rash of head injuries, with four others sidelined by them . ... Starting LB Joe Schobert missed the game for personal reasons.
Next up
BROWNS >> Practice for two days in Indianapolis with the Colts before playing them on Aug. 17.