Cleveland Browns: Baker Mayfield notably good in Texas
As the Cleveland Browns travel to Houston to face the Texans, it’s important to remember just how much history quarterback Baker Mayfield has with the state.
Baker Mayfield has been a great addition to the Cleveland Browns this season. In addition to lighting a fire under the franchise not seen in what seems like centuries, the 23-year old rookie has been the chief reason the Browns are so much better this season. Without a doubt, Cleveland’s new and improved defense has helped, but Mayfield means so much to the franchise now.
In Week 13, Mayfield and the Browns will meet one of their greatest tests of the season as they travel down to Houston to face Deshaun Watson and the Texans. And, while the Browns are coming in confident having won two in a row and crushing the Cincinnati Bengals (and the soul of Hue Jackson), they have nothing on Houston’s streak.
The Texans are coming into this matchup scorching hot, having won eight games in a row, a franchise record. Watson is balling. The defensive line is finally healthy, with both J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney wrecking shop. DeAndre Hopkins is a stud receiver, one of the best playmakers in the league. The Texans are a legitimate juggernaut, and a power to be feared in the AFC.
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And yet, the Browns are no pushover this year. Despite a sub-.500 record, Mayfield has the Browns and the entire city of Cleveland fired up, and the team is playing better than it has in years. Not to mention, Baker Mayfield becomes exceptionally good at the game of football when playing in the state of Texas.
Since 2015, the year he arrived at Oklahoma, Mayfield has played nine games in Texas. His stats in those games are staggering. Mayfield is 7-2 in those games, good for a .777 winning percentage. Individually, he has thrown for 315.7 passing yards per game, with a completion rate of 70.4 percent. Finally, and perhaps the most gaudy stat of all, he has thrown for 27 touchdowns and four interceptions.
If this trend continues into the pros, Mayfield will have his third great game in a row in Week 13. The Texans may have the best defense Mayfield has faced thus far as a starter, and this game should give insight to just how good the rookie can be as the Browns’ quarterback.
Mayfield has been nothing short of incredible throughout his rookie season so far, and has a tremendous shot at the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. He is 10 touchdowns away from Peyton Manning’s rookie touchdown record, and with his current level of play, he has a shot to break it.
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This game against the Texans is imperative to the Browns as they try to make a miraculous push for the playoffs. Houston hasn’t lost in nearly two months, but Baker Mayfield has a Texas-sized chip on his shoulder. If he has to use his old college rival, his old college in Texas Tech, or the state itself for motivation, he’s going to do it without a second thought.