Baker Mayfield, Antonio Callaway and the rest of the Cleveland Browns could learn much from defeat at the hands of the Houston Texans.
For a team that understands it can win and seeks to be able to do it consistently and against the best the NFL has to offer, the game against the Houston Texans proved to be a valuable learning experience for the Cleveland Browns. The Texans looked the part of a contender that has won nine games in a row by taking care of business, but the Browns showed the capacity to compete and are in that game if not for a number of mistakes, largely by rookies.
The Browns have proven they are no longer a bad team, but Sunday showed the distance they still have to go in order to be a good one. Certainly the Browns can use more talent and will have the opportunity to add to it in the offseason, but the talent they do have showed all of the ability in the world in this game but made a number of critical mistakes that put the game out of reach.
Most of the focus will understandably be on Baker Mayfield in the first half. After throwing one interception where Zach Cunningham made an incredible play both in how he intercepted the pass, but then returning it for a touchdown, Mayfield seemed impatient. Against an opponent where patience was necessary, he made a few throws to try to bridge the gap all at once, which only served to widen it.
Mayfield tried to make up for his mistake by willing his team back into it by himself. And while he has immense talent and it’s something he could get away, sometimes needed to do in college, he has to recognize how difficult that is to do in the NFL.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
Not only did it cost the Browns possessions when he threw two more interceptions but on the third one, it cost them points when he turned down open field in front of him, trying to throw a deep ball that never had chance and was intercepted for a touchback. A touchdown before the half could’ve put the Browns back in the game with some momentum before the half.
The difference between Mayfield in the first and the second half was obvious. A little calmer, perhaps refocused, he trusted his teammates more and played within the gameplan to significant success that started right out of the gate in the third quarter. While still being aggressive, Mayfield wasn’t as reckless and the result was incredible. He threw for over 300 yards just in the second half.
Undoubtedly, the Texans took their foot off the gas a little bit in the second half and J.J. Watt, who came in playing hurt, was taken out as soon as it was prudent, but that doesn’t change how Mayfield played. He was outstanding and it often looked effortless. Some of the throws he was able to make combined with how well he maneuvered the pocket were prodigious. After displaying some of the trappings of a rookie in his ninth start in the first half, he looked like a veteran in total command in the second.
The challenge for Mayfield is simply finding the right balance between going for the throat, always looking to win and not being reckless with the football. He was able to do it in college and it’s only a matter of time before he figures it out in the NFL. What should scare opponents is how fast he’s learning and adapting as a rookie on the fly. In this case, it took halftime for him to adjust.
Another rookie who had a big rookie misstep was Antonio Callaway. Overall, Callaway showed a ton of promise in the game but had a critical mistake in the form of a fumble near the goal line. His background as a running back and always inclined to trust his strength as a ball carrier is great. Maybe he should’ve leaned away and tried to go away from contact in this case, but the real error was simply being unable to protect the football.
It was the only play Justin Reid (who was outstanding all game) could make, so if the instinct is go into contact, fine, but just like running through the hole, it requires both arms wrapping up the football.
The fumble doesn’t change the fact that, on back to back plays, Callaway caught two passes that went to the end zone for over 60 yards each.
A holding call negated the first where Callaway beat his man down the field and a well placed ball from Mayfield went for an easy touchdown. The second, despite the fumble, was far more impressive with how he was able to go up and get a pass in some traffic, maintain his balance, and then try to score. Had he scored, it would’ve been the signature play of Callaway’s rookie season.
Between Mayfield and Callaway, they accounted for all four Browns turnovers. They also left touchdowns on the field, which is of course frustrating, but also goes to show the fact the Browns could’ve been in the game and showed an explosive element in the passing game that has been percolating. Teams will have to stay prepared for that these last four games and opens up another threat for a team that’s finding them almost by the week.
In the case of Mayfield, he thrives off of adversity and doubt, so a game like this only serves to fuel him to be better. For the rest of the Browns and Callaway, this game is a reminder how difficult it is to be great and serve as fuel for the rest of this season and into the offseason.
The Browns players have gotten a little taste of success in the last few games and nothing about this locker room suggests they are satisfied. So as disappointing as it is to lose a game like this, save for injuries, it proved to be a valuable experience.