Can Baker Mayfield continue to play football without error against the Chiefs? Hey, Mary Kay!
KANSAS CITY – In this edition of Hey, Mary Kay! I answer questions about Baker Mayfield, Denzel Ward, David Njoku and more.
Hey, Mary Kay: Can Baker Mayfield continue to play football without errors? – Sean N., Chicago, Illinois
Hey, Sean: Mayfield’s lack of interceptions in the last 10 games is one of the main reasons why the Browns are playing for a chance to go to the AFC Championship Game on Sunday. He threw 14 touchdowns against just one interception in that period, and the Browns are 7-3, including a 48-37 win without a pick-up over the Steelers in the wild card game. The Chiefs, however, had the second highest number of interceptions in the NFL this season, with 16, including six from Tyrann Mathieu in third in the NFL. If Mayfield makes choices, the Browns will have a hard time winning the game. Otherwise, they will have a good chance, because winning the battle for the spin is critical. Mayfield learned to checkdown and throw the ball away. He is not forcing it and he is going through his progressions and meeting the open man or one-on-one fights. He has mastered Kevin Stefanski’s action and wide zone and is getting more and more confident every week. The offensive line should give him plenty of time to launch, but he will have to be on the lookout for Mathieu.
Hey, Mary Kay: Will Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson play a full game in Kansas City? – Ben Jones, Macon, Ga.
Hey Ben: Ward and Johnson did well in practice this week out of COVID-19, but they won’t know what their conditioning or wind will be like until they’re playing. Myles Garrett didn’t know he would fight until he tried to play almost a full game the first time. The Browns now know how to monitor it and will do the same with Ward, Johnson, Joel Bitonio and KhaDarel Hodge. Fortunately for the Browns, they have had other defensive backs, like MJ Stewart, who has had many valuable reps in the past few months and will be ready to intervene when necessary. Stewart, of course, made game-changing intercepts in each of the last two games, so the revolving door on the back end proved to be beneficial in the long run.
Hey, Mary Kay: What is the perspective or prognosis for the future of Greedy Williams – Tom Eingle, Ruskin, Florida.
Hey, Tom: Williams is still recovering from the nerve damage in his shoulder and hopes to be back next season. The Browns seem optimistic about this, but it depends only on nerve regeneration. Five months have passed and he did not respond in the way that everyone expected. The Browns will have to have a good Plan B, which may include rehiring Terrance Mitchell. They are also likely to look for an initial caliber cornerback in the draft, free agency or trade.
Hey, Mary Kay: This Browns team is so special. The odds have been against them all season and yet they figure out how to get the job done. Do you think they have enough to beat the Super Bowl champions? Will Jack Conklin be back for this game? Thank you Mary Kay! You have been amazing covering this special team! Go Browns! – Jeffrey Lerner, Avon, Ohio #plantthebrownsflag –
Hey, Jeff: Thanks! And thank you for all your great questions throughout the season. Yes, I think the Browns have a good chance of defeating the Chiefs if they play a fair game and if Mayfield does not intercept. As mentioned above, the Chiefs are tied with the second biggest interception in the NFL, with 16, including six from Tyrann Mathieu. If Mayfield can avoid the choices and the Browns play a game without error, they can win and win a trip to Buffalo for the AFC Championship Game against the Bills. I feel that way for a number of reasons, including the Browns being great in the red zone and the Chiefs being the worst red zone defense in the NFL. The Browns also set up their No. 3 running attack against the Chiefs’ 21st-place running defense. But if Patrick Mahomes has an incredible and error-free game, it will be difficult to win.
Hey, Mary Kay: Can we wait to see Jedrick Wills Jr., Joel Bitonio, JC Tretter, Wyatt Teller and Jack Conklin start on Sunday? If so, what limitations can they have? – Andrew Sprenger, Amherst, Ohio
Hey, Andrew: The Browns will have their offensive starting line intact for the game, and if they win, it will be due in large part to their performance. Joel Bitonio is leaving the list of COVID-19, but said he was not sick and should be fine. Jack Conklin was out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday because of a hamstring injury, but came back to a limited extent on Friday. Conklin will not be 100%, but he must be healthy enough to do the job.
Hey, Mary Kay: Where are we keeping David Njoku? I never knew why he wanted to go, what is the status of his contract? Thanks and Go Browns! – Popoolajoy, St. Louis, Mo.
Hey, Dad: The Browns chose Njoku’s fifth year option for 2021 for $ 6,013 million, but it is not guaranteed and he will only remain on the team if both sides determine it is the best thing for both parties. Njoku, who wanted to be traded before the season and later canceled his order, finished seventh in the team, with just 19 receptions for 213 yards and two TDs. Njoku and Baker Mayfield were seen disagreeing backstage at the end of the season against Pittsburgh over whether or not Njoku was open for a TD pass. The tight end stumbled, but then regained his balance, but Mayfield had already looked for Jarvis Landry at that point and found him in the end zone for TD. My guess is that Njoku would still like a chance to go elsewhere and contribute more.
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