Baker Mayfield Takes Blame for Browns Loss

The Cleveland Browns blew an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot after losing to the one-win New York Jets on Sunday afternoon. Even though they were shorthanded with four wide receivers unable to play because of the league’s COVID-19 protocols, quarterback Baker Mayfield shouldered the blame after the loss.

“Plain and simple, I have to hold on to the damn ball,” said Mayfield, who fumbled three times in the game, and twice on Cleveland’s final two drives, allowing the Jets to hold on for the 23-16 victory at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. “We had exactly what we needed to win this game. And I didn’t do good enough. That’s it.”

Without their starting receivers, the Browns struggled offensively because the Jets were able to focus on stopping the run and stacked the box, holding Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt to 39 combined yards.

With the Browns unable to run the ball or facilitate play-action, the Browns had to air the ball out and Mayfield had a career-high 53 passing attempts.

Browns Baker Mayfield Upset

Despite the fact that key players missed the game, Mayfield refused to use it as an excuse and shouldered the blame for the loss.

“Put it on me,” Mayfield said, “for not doing my job, for not playing at a high level like I should have, for not getting these guys going and finishing out this game.”

Before he left the interview, Mayfield acknowledged that the Browns can still advance to the playoffs for the first time since 2002 with a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17.

“This one is going to sting for a day or two, but we have the Steelers to win and get in,” he said. “So, I’m going to roll with these punches. Backs against the wall and we have to win to get in. You know what, this group fought today, but I didn’t do enough. I didn’t play well enough for us to win. And that’s it.”