Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry said Wednesday that he expects quarterback Baker Mayfield to play his "best football" after the team returns from its Week 13 bye.

Berry also downplayed any consideration of a quarterback change for the stretch run of the regular season with the Browns currently 11th in the AFC standings with a 6-6 record. Case Keenum is the team's backup QB.

"Baker's our quarterback," Berry told reporters. "He's healthy enough to win games for us. If he's ready to go, he's going to be our starter."

Mayfield has played through numerous injuries throughout the 2021 season, including shoulder, foot, knee and groin ailments. He's only missed one game, a Week 7 win over the Denver Broncos, but he's looked far less than 100 percent in recent weeks.

The 2018 first overall pick completed just 50.6 percent of his throws (44-of-87) for 496 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions in the team's last three games before the bye week. It's a stretch that included road losses to the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens along with a three-point home win over the winless Detroit Lions.

After Sunday's loss to the Ravens, Mayfield said he hadn't suffered any "major setbacks" with his various injuries and would use the week off to get closer to full strength.

"Just with all the rehab and everything I've been doing and just having to take the extra time to try and take care of my body," he told reporters. "Obviously, this bye week comes at a pretty crucial time for me to make that turning point to get back to 100 percent."

Mayfield, who's tossed 11 touchdowns and six picks in 11 appearances, ranks 26th in ESPN's Total QBR (37.9) this season after finishing 10th in that stat (65.5) last year.

Meanwhile, Berry also pushed aside questions about the quarterback's future with the team. Cleveland already exercised the fifth-year option in his rookie contract for 2022, but the focus will soon shift to whether he'll receive a lucrative multiyear extension.

"There will be plenty of time to think about how we're going to build the roster next year," Berry said. "Right now, we're focused on doing everything in our power to maximize this current season."

Keenum, a 33-year-old journeyman, isn't a viable long-term alternative, but he could be a short-term stopgap option if Mayfield continues to struggle after the bye.

The former Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos starter has compiled 76 touchdowns and 47 interceptions in 74 career games (63 starts). He's completed 62.5 percent of his attempts (30-of-48) with one TD and no picks in five appearances (one start) for the Browns in 2021.

Cleveland could make up a lot of ground quickly in the tight AFC standings—just 2.5 games separate the top-seeded Ravens from the 11th-seeded Browns—but they must start winning consistently.

A difficult schedule awaits, however, as Mayfield and Co. finish with one game against each of their AFC North rivals (Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals) along with matchups against the Las Vegas Raiders and Green Bay Packers.

Next up is the rematch with Baltimore on Dec. 12 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland.

Cleveland Browns starting right tackle Jack Conklin suffered a torn patellar tendon in Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and will miss the remainder of the season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Without Conklin on the right side of the line, the Browns ran for 40 yards against the Ravens, significantly below the 147.1 yards per game they're averaging this season.

The two-time All-Pro had just returned to the field after missing three games with a dislocated elbow. He also missed two games earlier in the season because of a knee injury. Losing him to a potentially significant knee injury sums up a frustrating 2021 season in Northeast Ohio.

The team ended the Odell Beckham Jr. experiment in early November. Baker Mayfield is playing through multiple injuries. The Browns are facing their second instance of a player's father criticizing Mayfield's performance.

With the Cleveland signal-caller struggling, the running game has been critical in carrying the offense. However, the success of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt might hinge on Conklin's replacement.

The Browns averaged 187.6 yards per game on the ground through their first five games. With Conklin missing five of their last seven games and limited in the other two, the offense has eclipsed 100 rushing yards three times.

If head coach Kevin Stefanski can't lean on Chubb and Hunt to the extent he did earlier in the year, then it could be a major problem because Mayfield clearly isn't healthy enough to be a high-volume passer. He finished 18-of-37 for 247 yards and one touchdown on Sunday night.

Cleveland must be left wondering what else can go wrong.

The Baltimore Ravens maintained their lead atop the AFC North with a 16-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday night at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

Justin Tucker connected on a 49-yard field goal—his third of the night—with 1:10 remaining to give Baltimore some breathing room. The Browns turned it over on downs on their next drive to seal the outcome.

It was a sloppy night all around for both teams, who combined to turn the ball over six times. Lamar Jackson, in particular, had a game he'll want to forget.

At 8-3, the Ravens sit one game ahead of the Cincinnati Bengals for first place in the division.

The Browns, meanwhile, fall back to .500. They've now alternated wins and losses for the past seven weeks, illustrating their inability to build any consistency.

Notable Performers

Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens: 20-of-32, 165 yards, one touchdown, four interceptions; 17 carries, 68 yards

Marquise Brown, WR, Ravens: eight receptions, 51 yards

Mark Andrews, TE, Ravens: four receptions, 65 yards, one touchdown

Baker Mayfield, QB, Browns: 18-of-37, 247 yards, one touchdown; two carries, four yards

Jarvis Landry, WR, Browns: six receptions, 111 yards

Jackson Overcomes Early Mistakes

It's probably not a stretch to say Jackson encountered the worst quarter of his NFL career on Sunday. The 2019 MVP threw an interception on three straight possessions in the second quarter, matching his career high for a single game.

Watching it unfold was almost surreal.

Then in the third quarter, Jackson displayed what makes him so special.

The Ravens quarterback connected with Mark Andrews for a 39-yard completion that required the Pro Bowl tight end to make an incredible catch.

A 13-yard touchdown pass to Andrews was all about Jackson, though.

Flushed from the pocket, he scrambled to his right and back to his left before finding Andrews in the end zone. Browns defensive end Myles Garrett appeared to show his respect for Jackson after the play ended.

Luckily for Jackson, Baltimore's defense stiffened up to limit the Browns to 262 total yards and prevent his four interceptions from proving too costly.

Late in the game, Jackson's mobility was critical for the Ravens in draining time off the clock and keeping Cleveland's offense off the field.

Browns Unable to Capitalize

There isn't much more new to say about the Browns offense after games like this happen.

Baker Mayfield is playing through injuries and failing to hit the level he enjoyed in 2020. His receivers didn't provide a ton of help Sunday with multiple dropped passes. Cleveland's inability to get the passing game going is allowing opposing defenses to load up against the run.

The Browns averaged the second-most rushing yards (156.8 per game) entering this matchup, yet saw Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt combine for just 36 yards on the ground.

Considering how many turnovers the defense forced, one would've expected Cleveland to come away with more points.

The defense—particularly the pass rush—did everything it could to put the team in a position to win. Seemingly every time Jackson dropped back, he had one or both of Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney quickly bearing down off the edge.

Because of the talent on their roster, one expects the Browns to discover a new level. The longer that doesn't happen, the more it becomes obvious this is simply a mediocre team.

What's Next?

The Browns head into their bye, which couldn't come at a better time following their defeat. The Ravens hit the road to play another division rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, on Dec. 5 at 4:25 p.m. ET.

The Cleveland Brown designated running back Kareem Hunt to return from injured reserve on Wednesday after he missed time with a calf injury.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, that means Hunt could play Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens.

In Week 6, Hunt suffered a calf problem that was expected to sideline him for up to six weeks, and he has since missed the past five games. That came at a tough time for the Browns, as Nick Chubb was already battling his own calf issues. 

The one-two punch of Chubb and Hunt is the NFL's best backfield when healthy, though the team found itself needing to rely more heavily on D'Ernest Johnson and Demetric Felton. 

Hunt has been excellent since joining the Browns in 2019, rushing for 841 yards and six scores in 2020 while adding 38 catches for 304 yards and another five scores. This season he's posted 361 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, as well as 20 receptions for 161 yards in six games.

While Chubb is the unquestioned lead back in the platoon, Hunt provides a change-of-pace element and more utility in the passing game. They've become a dynamic duo, offering defenses little respite with one of them almost always on the field.

Chubb returned to action last week against the Detroit Lions after missing three of the previous five games with a calf injury and a COVID-19 diagnosis.

If Hunt plays against Baltimore, the Browns will have their full allotment of backfield weapons in what is shaping up to be a huge game in the AFC North standings.

Both Chubb and Hunt will be useful for fantasy football purposes if Hunt plays, although it would result in Johnson no longer being worthy of a lineup spot.

The NFL announced its pair of Saturday games for the Week 15 slate.

The Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns will kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 18, with the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts to follow at 8:20 p.m. ET.

The league originally left five games open to flex into the two Saturday slots. Tuesday's news means these three games are locked in for Dec. 19:

• New York Jets at Miami Dolphins 
• Washington Football Team at Philadelphia Eagles 
• Carolina Panthers at Buffalo Bills

Schedule flexing has become commonplace in the NFL, and the practice carried over into the new 18-week regular season. The idea is that league officials might be able to position important games into prime-time viewing hours.

The Patriots (7-4) have a half-game lead on the Buffalo Bills for first place in the AFC. The Colts (6-5) might be out of a playoff position for the time being, but they're also riding a three-game winning streak into Week 12.

New England and Indianapolis could be jostling for wild-card positioning in one month's time.

Cleveland vs. Las Vegas may have lost some luster by then, on the other hand.

The Browns are last in the AFC North at 6-5, and a 13-10 victory over the Detroit Lions couldn't make people ignore Baker Mayfield getting booed by his own fans. Likewise, the Raiders (5-5) have dropped three games in a row amid a wealth of off-field problems.

Their encounter could be a meeting between two teams that have fallen short of the expectations they set for themselves heading into 2021.

Baker Mayfield didn't seem bothered by the fans who booed him during the Cleveland Browns' 13-10 home win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

"Those are probably the same fans who won't be quiet when we're on offense and trying to operate," Mayfield told reporters Monday. "So I don't really care."

Mayfield has been dealing with injuries to his left shoulder, foot and knee that limited him the past few weeks, but he played every offensive snap for the Browns in the Week 11 win. 

The quarterback also said he expects to start next Sunday against the AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens after avoiding any significant setbacks from the Lions game.

Though Mayfield has showed impressive toughness by remaining on the field, his play is worthy of criticism. The fourth-year player finished Sunday with 176 yards on 15-of-29 passing with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Over the last two games, Mayfield has just a 54.5 passer rating, and the Browns have scored only 20 points.

The boos from the home crowd came after some poor throws Sunday:

Mayfield's questionable play comes as the Browns evaluate whether he is worthy of a long-term deal. The 2018 No. 1 overall pick can be a free agent after the 2022 season.

Despite the quarterback's struggles, Cleveland remains in the playoff hunt at 6-5, with an important divisional battle upcoming against the first-place Ravens. It seems Mayfield has not lost confidence even after losing some fan support in recent weeks.   

Following Sunday's 13-10 win over the Detroit Lions, another Cleveland Browns player's family member has shared their criticism of the team on social media.

Two weeks after Odell Beckham Jr.'s father helped pave the way for his son's exit for Cleveland with an Instagram post, Baker Mayfield's wife, Emily, reposted an image saying the rest of the Browns need to get "tougher" like her husband.

Emily later clarified that she didn't mean to question the team's toughness by reposting the image: 

Mayfield is dealing with multiple injuries and played through obvious pain Sunday. While his toughness is commendable, his performance was not. Mayfield threw for 176 yards and a touchdown against two interceptions while posting a QBR of 8.6. He currently ranks 27th in QBR among qualifying quarterbacks for the season and has faced increasing concerns that he is not the Browns' answer under center.

Cleveland moved to 6-5 after beating the winless Lions but owes most of its success to an elite running game and strong defense. Nick Chubb rushed for 130 yards, while the Brown defense picked off Tim Boyle twice and held him to 77 passing yards.

While it's understandable to defend your spouse amid rising criticism, doing so after he was essentially carried to a victory may not be a good look. Doing so while questioning the toughness of Mayfield's teammates likely won't go over well, regardless of his performance. 

The Cleveland Browns announced Friday they've activated Nick Chubb and Demetric Felton from the NFL's reserve/COVID-19 list.

Both running backs sat out last week's 45-7 loss to the New England Patriots but will be eligible to play in Sunday's Week 11 game against the Detroit Lions.

Chubb ranks third in the NFL with 721 rushing yards despite missing three of the Browns' 10 games. He previously missed two contests with a calf injury.

The two-time Pro Bowl selection is tied with Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson for the league lead in rushing yards per attempt (6.0) among qualified rushers, and he's found the end zone six times in his seven appearances.

Cleveland offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt suggested Thursday the team might cap Chubb's workload when he initially returned from the reserve/COVID-19 list.

"Guys come off the COVID list and play all the time across the league, so if he's available, I'm sure we'll be very smart with how we handle his carries," Van Pelt told reporters. "But he's obviously a big part of what we do offensively."

That could lead to more playing time for Felton and D'Ernest Johnson as part of a committee approach.

Johnson handled 88 percent of the offensive snaps against the Patriots and performed well despite the blowout loss, tallying 99 yards on 19 carries (5.2 YPC) and seven catches for 58 yards.

"D'Ernest—maybe I sound like a broken record—every time he's out there, he comes through for us," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "I think that is an indication of the type of teammate he is because he prepares so hard. Whether you want him to play 30 snaps on special teams or carry the ball 30 times, he is going to be ready to go."

Meanwhile, quarterback Baker Mayfield could be trending toward a questionable tag for Sunday's clash with the Lions as he works to overcome shoulder, foot and knee injuries. He missed practice Wednesday before returning for a limited session Thursday.

"This is probably the most beat-up I've ever been in my career," Mayfield said. "It's not like it's one particular thing. It's multiple."

Although so far there's no indication he's going to sit out against Detroit, the team's offense would become even more run-heavy if that happens. Case Keenum is the team's backup quarterback.

Beating the Lions (0-8-1) is crucial for Cleveland (5-5), which faces a tricky schedule down the stretch in its effort to either win the AFC North or earn a wild-card berth for the playoffs.