Previewing the Jets’ opposition: Cleveland Browns
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Having won five out of six since the bye week, with the only loss coming in a shootout against the Ravens, the Browns are almost certainly heading to the postseason for the first time in 18 years. Will they be looking past a Jets team that just figured out how to win again, though?
Quarterbacks
Having regressed last year, Baker Mayfield began the 2020 season with a rough outing against the Ravens. Since then, he’s been excellent though. While he may not end up with as many yards and touchdowns as he had in his rookie year, Mayfield has dramatically improved his turnover rate with just eight interceptions after racking up 35 over his first two years.
Browns fumble away first shot at playoffs amid wild weekend Follow Us
Question of the Day By TOM WITHERS - Associated Press - Monday, December 28, 2020
CLEVELAND (AP) - The Browns had handled so many of 2020’s obstacles, navigating the coronavirus minefield and overcoming injuries while becoming one of the NFL’s biggest surprises.
In 24 hours, it all fell apart.
They fumbled.
Sunday’s 23-16 loss to the New York Jets, which came after Cleveland lost six players because of COVID-19 protocols, dumped the Browns into the final wild-card spot and left them in a win-or-else scenario this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Myles Garrett vs. Mason Rudolph Part 2: Mike Tomlin announces he’ll rest Ben Roethlisberger vs. Browns in the finale
Updated Dec 30, 2020;
Posted Dec 29, 2020
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett hits Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph as he looks to pass the ball in the second half, November 14, 2019, at FirstEnergy Stadium. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)cleveland.com
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CLEVELAND, Ohio Myles Garrett vs. Mason Rudolph: Part 2 will be the headliner Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium in the Browns’ win-and-in showdown with the Steelers.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin announced Tuesday that backup quarterback Mason Rudolph will start in place of Ben Roethlisberger in a huge game in which the Browns can clinch their first playoff berth in 18 years. The Steelers clinched the AFC North on Sunday and are the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. This year, only the No. 1 seed, Kansas City, gets a first-round bye.
Cleveland Browns place tight end Harrison Bryant, safety Andrew Sendejo and safety Karl Joseph on reserve/COVID-19 list
The Cleveland Browns have placed tight end Harrison Bryant and safeties Andrew Sendejo and Karl Joseph on the reserve/COVID-19 list, adding to the list of key players currently on the virus list.
Bryant could be available this weekend, based on being a close contact to someone outside the building, a source told ESPN. Joseph could play as well, but Sendejo won t be available this weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a source said.
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The Browns were without wide receivers Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge during Sunday s loss to the New York Jets. All four, along with starting linebacker Jacob Phillips, were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list before the team plane took off for New Jersey. Earlier in the day, the team reported that a player had tested positive for COVID-19 and placed starting linebacker B.J.