Can Baker Mayfield continue to play flawless football against the Chiefs? Hey, Mary Kay!
KANSAS CITY – In this issue of Hey, Mary Kay! I answer questions about Baker Mayfield, Denzel Ward, David Njoku, and more.
Hello, Mary Kay: Can Baker Mayfield continue to play flawless football? – Sean N., Chicago, Ill.
Hello, Sean: The lack of interception from Mayfield the last ten games is a major reason why the Browns are playing for a chance to go to the AFC Championship on Sunday. He threw 14 shots on just one interception in that period, and the Browns are 7-3, including the recent 48-37 victory over the Steelers in the game card game. However, the Chiefs had the second-largest interception in the NFL this season with 16, including six by Tyrann Mathieu for third in the NFL. If Mayfield throws choices, the Browns will have a hard time winning the game. If he does not do so, they have a good chance, because winning the turnover battle is the most important thing. Mayfield learned to take the subtraction and throw the ball away. He does not force it and he goes through his progress and finds the open man or one-on-one matches. He has mastered Kevin Stefanski’s game action, wide zone scheme, and he is becoming more and more confident every week. The offense should give him enough time to throw, but he will have to be on the lookout for Mathieu.
Hello, Mary Kay: Will Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson perform for a full game in Kansas City? – Ben Jones, Macon, Ga.
Hi, Ben: Ward and Johnson did well in practice this week with COVID-19, but they will not know what their conditioning or wind will be like before playing there. Myles Garrett did not know he would struggle until he tried to play a full game for the first time. The Browns know he needs to monitor him, and they will do the same for Ward, Johnson, Joel Bitonio and KhaDarel Hodge. Luckily for the Browns, they have had other defensive backs, such as MJ Stewart, who have gained very valuable representatives over the past few months and will be ready to step in if needed. Stewart, of course, has changed distinctions in the last two games, so the revolving door has been beneficial in the long run.
Hello, Mary Kay: What is the outlook or prediction for the future of Greedy Williams – Tom Eingle, Ruskin, Fla.
Hi, Tom: Williams is still recovering from the nerve damage in his shoulder and hopes to be back next season. The Browns look optimistic he will be, but that just depends on the revival of the nerve. It’s five months ago and it’s not responding as anyone had hoped. The Browns will need to have a good Plan B, which could include the re-signing of Terrance Mitchell. They will probably also look for a starting-caliber angle in the draft, free agency or a trade.
Hello, Mary Kay: This Browns team is so special. The odds are stacked against them all season, and yet they find their way to do the job. Do you feel they have enough left over to beat the Super Bowl champions? Will Jack Conklin be back for this game? Thanks Mary Kay! You were amazing to cover this special team! Go Browns! – Jeffrey Lerner, Avon, Ohio #plantthebrownsflag –
Hi, Jeff: Thank you! And thank you for all your good questions all season. Yes, I think the Browns have a good chance of beating the Chiefs if they play a clean sheet and if Mayfield do not intercept. As mentioned above, the Chiefs are tied for second place in the NFL with 16, including six by Tyrann Mathieu. If Mayfield can avoid the choices and the Browns play an otherwise mostly flawless game, they could win and earn a trip to Buffalo for the AFC Championship game against the bill. I feel that way for a number of reasons, including the Browns who are good in the red zone and the Chiefs the worst defense in the red zone in the NFL. The Browns also set their no. 3 rushing on against the Chiefs’ 21st place defense. But if Patrick Mahomes himself has a great, flawless game, he will be hard to beat.
Hi, Mary Kay: Can we expect Jedrick Wills Jr., Joel Bitonio, JC Tretter, Wyatt Teller and Jack Conklin to start Sunday? If so, what restrictions may they have? – Andrew Sprenger, Amherst, Ohio
Hello, Andrew: The Browns will have their attacking offensive line intact for the game, and if they win, it will be largely due to their performance. Joel Bitonio comes off the COVID-19 list, but said he is not that sick, and that he should be fine. Jack Conklin went to practice on Wednesday and Thursday with his thigh muscle injury, but returned on a limited basis on Friday. Conklin will not be 100%, but he must be healthy enough to do the job.
Hello, Mary Kay: Where’s it with David Njoku? I never heard why he wanted to go, what is his contract status? Thanks and Go Browns! – Popoolajoy, St. Louis, Mo.
Hi, pop: The Browns chose Njoku’s fifth-year option for 2021 at $ 6,013 million, but that is not guaranteed and he will only stay in the team if the two parties decide it is the best thing for both parties. Njoku, who wanted to be traded before the season and when his request was revoked, finished seventh in the team with only 19 receptions for 213 yards and two TDs. It was seen that Njoku and Baker Mayfield in the season finale against Pittsburgh did not agree on whether Njoku was open for a TD pass. The tight end stumbled but then got his feet back, but Mayfield was already looking for Jarvis Landry at that point and found him in the final zone for the TD. My guess is that Njoku still wants the chance to go somewhere else and contribute more.
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