Following a 45-7 mugging at the hands of the New England Patriots, Browns fans are in full panic mode, and rightfully so.
The Browns are now 2-3 in their last five games and have fallen to .500 on the season. Cleveland sits dead last in the AFC North and is currently out of a Wild Card spot.
Here are three takeaways following their embarrassing loss in Foxborough:
Baker Has Been a Disaster
Following a successful eleven-play drive resulting in a touchdown pass to Austin Hooper to start the game, the Browns offense was virtually non-existent.
Baker Mayfield was abysmal, completing just 11 passes on the day for 73 yards including an interception. Mayfield suffered a knee contusion in the third quarter after getting hit hard by Matthew Judon and was replaced by veteran Case Keenum for the remainder of the game.
After a promising 2020 season, Mayfield hasn't reached the next level. He's protected by one of the best offensive lines in the NFL and has yet to finish a season with a passer rating over 100.0. Cleveland currently ranks 26th in passing yards per game at 209.7 and has been saved by their rushing attack. Considering Baker has been nothing more than a game manager for the Browns, Case Keenum as the starter while Mayfield heals up shouldn't be a massive downgrade.
Following a breakout 11-5 season in 2020, the Browns were expected to be even better, with some pundits calling Cleveland a Super Bowl contender. That has all but fizzled as the Browns may very well not even qualify for the postseason.
The Browns have become a one-dimensional offense, and lack playmakers following the Odell Beckham era that never panned out. Cleveland isn't a team that can play from behind, and only one of their wins this season have come against a current team in the playoff picture.
Browns Defense Picked Apart by New England
Cleveland's defense hadn't been a cause of concern, but Week 10 was a different story. The Patriots ran the ball up the Browns' throat, with nearly 200 accumulative yards on the ground.
Mac Jones was highly efficient at quarterback, completing 19/23 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns. Brian Hoyer even came in during garbage time and completed all three of his attempts for 85 yards and a score.
The Browns only registered one sack in the game, courtesy of Myles Garrett. Garrett has been a beast up front and leads the NFL in sacks with 13.
Make or Break Schedule Coming up
Following what should be an easy win against Detroit next week, four of the Browns' last six games will be against divisional opponents. This includes back-to-back games against Baltimore who are currently first in the AFC North at 6-3. The Browns can still very well win the division, and hold their own destiny.
Cleveland closes their season with a Monday Night matchup in Pittsburgh, then a Week 18 home game against Cincinnati. Both the Steelers and Bengals hold Wild Card spots at the moment, so those games could very well decide who gets into the playoffs, and who's eliminated from contention.
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