07-09-2022, 09:07 AM -
And then there was 2020....
If I were to guess, I would bet that this would be the year upon which all of the hyperbole has been built. Here and Now is what all of the prognosticators are pointing to with unmuted enthusiasm. Is it 'all that".?? Hmmm.... Let's dig into the reality, look at the situation and the numbers, evaluate the play. Then.....YOU be the judge.
IF at any point in Mayfield's first four years there was a light 'in the tunnel', OR "at the end..." (to keep the saying and the thought process reasonably coherent..), then 2020 would be it. On the surface it would appear that everything has 'come together' for Baker Mayfield. Let's take a look at the facts.
***2020***
** Won/Loss Record = 11-5. He beat the BENGALS (twice..), the COMMANDERS, the COWBOYS, the COLTS, the TEXANS, the EAGLES, the JAGUARS, the TITANS, the GIANTS, and the STEELERS.
He lost to the RAVENS (twice..), the STEELERS, the RAIDERS, and the JETS.
** Passing Stats = 305-C of 486-A for 62.8% and 3563 Yds. 26 TDs vs. 8 INTs. 26 SACKS and a QBR of 65.5.
** In 2020 Mayfield picked up 165 Rushing Yds. in 54 Atts.
THEN... The Browns made it into the Playoffs.
** Record = 1-1. He beat the STEELERS (48-37..), then lost to the CHIEFS (22-17..).
** Passing = 44-C of 71-A for 62% and 467 Yds. 4 TDs vs. 1 INT. 1 SACK and a QBR of 71.1.
** In two Playoff games Mayfield ran 8 times for 14 Yds.
I think we can all agree that 2020 was a decent year, at least on the surface. Once again he played all 16 games and won 11 of them. But did his playing account for the better year, or was there a marked improvement elsewhere on the team.? Well..... He passed for the fewest yards of his career, the TDs and the Completion percentage were about the same, and he was sacked about the same amount (not counting the 40 sack year..). His Rushing average was down year over year as well (ESPECIALLY in the Playoff games..). HOWEVER... He raised his QBR significantly, and he cut down on the INT turnovers, so that is a definite improvement.
The Browns are in the AFC North with the Steelers, the Ravens, and the Bengals. In 2020 it was their turn to take on the NFC East, including the Giants. the Cowboys, the Eagles, and the Commanders (now the WFT..). In addition they played all of the AFC South , including the Texans, the Colts, the Titans, and the Jaguars. The remaining two games were against the Jets and the Raiders.
NOW...going back to 2019 when Mayfield had his 6-10 year, the Browns were matched up against all of the teams from the AFC East, including the Patriots, the Bills, the Jets, and the Dolphins. In addition they played the teams from the NFC West, including the Rams, the 49ers, the Seahawks, and the Cardinals. The remaining two games were against the Broncos and the Titans.
In 2019, the Browns split with their division opponents, winning one game from each of the Steelers, Bengals, and Ravens. They won three of the four to the AFC East, losing only to the Patriots. That is all they won, losing all of the NFC West games, as well as the two games to the Broncos and the Titans.
In 2020, the Browns won three division games once again, although in a different fashion. They split with the Steelers, lost two to the Ravens, and won two from the Bengals. They won all four from the NFC East, as well as all four from the AFC South. They lost the remaining two to the Jets and the Raiders.
So from the worst Baker Mayfield season, to the best Mayfield season, was a study in the dichotomy of NFL football teams as well as annual NFL team scheduling. Starting last year in 2021 and moving forward, it will be even more convoluted because of the 17 game schedule and the proliferation of the International sites where one teams loses the 'home field advantage'.
What did this prove.?? Not a lot. The Browns played better football in 2020, with a much improved W-L record. They looked sharp against the AFC South and the NFC East, but still struggled against their division opponents. And they lost to the Jets and the Raiders as well. Baker Mayfield looked somewhat improved, but not enough to make the difference in the W-L record. That was partly Mayfield's improved play, and partly other factors like improved Defense, better Turnover performance, and the luck of the scheduling draw (either GOOD or BAD..??). Baker Mayfield's data is pretty much a 'flat line' year over year. His overall yardage production was slightly DOWN in 2020, but the teams success was much improved. I attribute this (mostly..) to increased awareness by Mayfield and a much improved Turnover Ratio, especially with the INTs.
OKAY...2021 is coming next.
If I were to guess, I would bet that this would be the year upon which all of the hyperbole has been built. Here and Now is what all of the prognosticators are pointing to with unmuted enthusiasm. Is it 'all that".?? Hmmm.... Let's dig into the reality, look at the situation and the numbers, evaluate the play. Then.....YOU be the judge.
IF at any point in Mayfield's first four years there was a light 'in the tunnel', OR "at the end..." (to keep the saying and the thought process reasonably coherent..), then 2020 would be it. On the surface it would appear that everything has 'come together' for Baker Mayfield. Let's take a look at the facts.
***2020***
** Won/Loss Record = 11-5. He beat the BENGALS (twice..), the COMMANDERS, the COWBOYS, the COLTS, the TEXANS, the EAGLES, the JAGUARS, the TITANS, the GIANTS, and the STEELERS.
He lost to the RAVENS (twice..), the STEELERS, the RAIDERS, and the JETS.
** Passing Stats = 305-C of 486-A for 62.8% and 3563 Yds. 26 TDs vs. 8 INTs. 26 SACKS and a QBR of 65.5.
** In 2020 Mayfield picked up 165 Rushing Yds. in 54 Atts.
THEN... The Browns made it into the Playoffs.
** Record = 1-1. He beat the STEELERS (48-37..), then lost to the CHIEFS (22-17..).
** Passing = 44-C of 71-A for 62% and 467 Yds. 4 TDs vs. 1 INT. 1 SACK and a QBR of 71.1.
** In two Playoff games Mayfield ran 8 times for 14 Yds.
I think we can all agree that 2020 was a decent year, at least on the surface. Once again he played all 16 games and won 11 of them. But did his playing account for the better year, or was there a marked improvement elsewhere on the team.? Well..... He passed for the fewest yards of his career, the TDs and the Completion percentage were about the same, and he was sacked about the same amount (not counting the 40 sack year..). His Rushing average was down year over year as well (ESPECIALLY in the Playoff games..). HOWEVER... He raised his QBR significantly, and he cut down on the INT turnovers, so that is a definite improvement.
The Browns are in the AFC North with the Steelers, the Ravens, and the Bengals. In 2020 it was their turn to take on the NFC East, including the Giants. the Cowboys, the Eagles, and the Commanders (now the WFT..). In addition they played all of the AFC South , including the Texans, the Colts, the Titans, and the Jaguars. The remaining two games were against the Jets and the Raiders.
NOW...going back to 2019 when Mayfield had his 6-10 year, the Browns were matched up against all of the teams from the AFC East, including the Patriots, the Bills, the Jets, and the Dolphins. In addition they played the teams from the NFC West, including the Rams, the 49ers, the Seahawks, and the Cardinals. The remaining two games were against the Broncos and the Titans.
In 2019, the Browns split with their division opponents, winning one game from each of the Steelers, Bengals, and Ravens. They won three of the four to the AFC East, losing only to the Patriots. That is all they won, losing all of the NFC West games, as well as the two games to the Broncos and the Titans.
In 2020, the Browns won three division games once again, although in a different fashion. They split with the Steelers, lost two to the Ravens, and won two from the Bengals. They won all four from the NFC East, as well as all four from the AFC South. They lost the remaining two to the Jets and the Raiders.
So from the worst Baker Mayfield season, to the best Mayfield season, was a study in the dichotomy of NFL football teams as well as annual NFL team scheduling. Starting last year in 2021 and moving forward, it will be even more convoluted because of the 17 game schedule and the proliferation of the International sites where one teams loses the 'home field advantage'.
What did this prove.?? Not a lot. The Browns played better football in 2020, with a much improved W-L record. They looked sharp against the AFC South and the NFC East, but still struggled against their division opponents. And they lost to the Jets and the Raiders as well. Baker Mayfield looked somewhat improved, but not enough to make the difference in the W-L record. That was partly Mayfield's improved play, and partly other factors like improved Defense, better Turnover performance, and the luck of the scheduling draw (either GOOD or BAD..??). Baker Mayfield's data is pretty much a 'flat line' year over year. His overall yardage production was slightly DOWN in 2020, but the teams success was much improved. I attribute this (mostly..) to increased awareness by Mayfield and a much improved Turnover Ratio, especially with the INTs.
OKAY...2021 is coming next.