- The Cleveland Browns are 2-3 on the season but some analysts projected them to win the AFC.
- Though Baker Mayfield’s numbers have declined, he may not be the one at fault.
- The Browns possess excellent betting opportunities for those with faith in Mayfield and Company.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On Tuesday, Colin Cowherd took to the airwaves to voice his displeasure regarding Baker Mayfield. The Fox Sports pundit has been a long-time critic of the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback but after the Browns’ dreadful Monday Night Football performance, Cowherd went on the offensive.
“You can’t be 5′11, run a 4.84 40 and throw 56% completion. That’s a backup quarterback in this league, said Cowherd. “I’m not sure it’s a backup.
Baker Mayfield was 8/22 with 2 INTs and 0 TDs in a 31-3 loss to the 49ers on Monday Night Football.
This is @ColinCowherd's reaction: pic.twitter.com/fa1lPyrHE9
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) October 8, 2019
Mayfield’s accuracy certainly seems to be the real issue at hand here, as Mayfield during his rookie season last year completed 64% of his passes.
Many experts have turned to the offensive line as the issue, citing that trading for Odell Beckham Jr cost the team the necessary pieces to protect Mayfield.
However, according to NextGen stats, this couldn’t be further from the truth. On the season, Mayfield has averaged the 36th longest time to throw the ball of any quarterback in the league. At 2.96 seconds, Mayfield has plenty of time to read his progressions and find the open player.
In the game against the San Francisco 49ers, Mayfield was sacked four times but none of those four sacks came quicker than 3.6 seconds. In terms of how quick the defenders brought him to the ground, no Niners’ players were on the top of the list for the week.
Instead, the focus turns to the wide receivers, who could take some of the blame for Mayfield’s struggling performances. Not only did Antonio Callaway drop a goal-line pass that was intercepted against the Niners, but the “star” receivers on the team have been playing like everything but that.
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Both Odell Beckham Jr and Jarvis Landry are well in the bottom ranks in terms of their catch rate. At 56.41%, Jarvis Landry catches passes thrown his way worse than 82 other receivers and tight ends. As for Beckham, his 53.49% catch rate ranks him just below at 89.
Can The Browns Turn Around Their Season?
Despite the 2-3 start to the season, the Browns still have hope to make the playoffs or even win the AFC North (+175).
Even during Cowherd’s rant, he exclaimed how there was still a chance for the Browns to turn it around.
“I’m not saying the season’s over. It’s not, there’s good news on the horizon for Cleveland,” said Cowherd. “But that was embarrassing”.
The combined record of the teams the Browns still must face during the season is 20-33-1. As, the Browns will face off against the Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals (x2), Pittsburgh Steelers (x2), and Arizona Cardinals, there will be plenty of opportunities to improve their record.
But first, the Browns (+105) must take on the Seattle Seahawks (-125) in Cleveland. If the Browns (+1.5) can secure a win at home, a 3-3 record is just fine in regaining the belief of their preseason hype of at least winning the AFC (+1600).
As of now, oddsmakers at US sports betting sites expect Mayfield to complete 22 passes (EVEN) for 278 yards (EVEN) and pass for two touchdowns (-110).
Tune in to the 1 p.m. EST game between the Seahawks and Browns to see if Mayfield can quiet the critics. The game will be broadcasted on FOX.
Michael spends most of his time betting on over/unders and analyzing algorithms in attempts to beat the book. His focus on statistics comes from an early understanding of mathematics as well as knowledge of opportunity costs. Michael enjoys playing basketball and reading about the NBA whenever he has the free time. When he is not writing, he can be found in Mississippi hitting the sportsbooks and enjoying a margarita… on the rocks, no salt.
