JANUARY 4, 2022 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM
CLEVELAND BROWNS 3-8 · 4TH IN AFC NORTH
3-8 · 4TH IN AFC NORTH
Next Game at Broncos · Tue 1:15AM
CLE +5.5 TOTAL 41.5
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski on Jadeveon Clowney's shoe toss: 'It's crazy, not smart' Clowney earned a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, pushing the Steelers into the red zone and giving them a fresh set of downs.
Browns should stick with Mayfield, Broussard says
Is it time for the Browns to move off Baker Mayfield this offseason? Chris Broussard says only if there is a better option.JANUARY 4, 2022
Kevin Stefanski discusses the Browns' 26-14 loss to the Steelers: Transcript Kevin Stefanski met with reporters following the Browns' Monday night game against the Steelers.
JANUARY 4, 2022 • CLEVELAND.COM
Baker Mayfield discusses the Browns' 26-14 loss to the Steelers: Transcript The Browns starting quarterback spoke with the media following Cleveland's Monday night game in Pittsburgh.
JANUARY 4, 2022 • CLEVELAND.COM
OBR Analytics: Week 17 Top-Graded Players, Snap Counts, and Rookie Performance Tracker welp
JANUARY 4, 2022 • 247SPORTS.COM
Analysis ' Baker Mayfield hit a new low Monday, and it could force the Browns to move on The Cleveland Browns must make two decisions about Mayfield's future with the franchise this offseason, one of them made easier by his disma...
JANUARY 4, 2022 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM
Case Keenum - Could play Week 18 Keenum could start in the Browns' season finale Sunday against the Bengals with Baker Mayfield weighing whether to undergo surgery to repair the torn labrum in his left non-throwin...
Impact Mayfield fought through multiple injuries this season that contributed to his poor play, but he also struggled with accuracy and made poor decisions. The No. 1 overall pick from the 2018 NFL Draft remains on the books through 2022 after the Browns exercised his $18.86 million team option this past spring, but Monday's 26-14 loss to the Steelers could mark his last outing as a starter if Cleveland elects to pursue an upgrade this offseason. With the Browns eliminated from playoff contention, the team could be reluctant to expose Mayfield to further injury, potentially paving the way for Keenum to pick up his second start of the season. Keenum's first start came against the Broncos back in Week 7, when he completed 21 of 33 attempts for 199 yards and a touchdown in a Cleveland victory.
JANUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Baker Mayfield - Will have surgery, may sit Week 18 Mayfield said after Monday's 26-14 loss to the Steelers that he will require surgery to address the labrum tear in his left shoulder, but he'll confer with his agent and family bef...
Impact Even if Mayfield decides to postpone the procedure until the offseason, he may still sit out Week 18, given that the Browns are already eliminated from playoff contention in addition to the fact that he's also battled left foot soreness and a right knee contusion this season. Mayfield has been playing through the torn labrum since Week 2, and though the injury is to his non-throwing arm, playing with his left shoulder in a harness may have had some at least some effect on his poor play in 2021. The 26-year-old suffered through another rough outing in Pittsburgh on Monday, taking nine sacks and throwing two interceptions while also tossing 10 consecutive incompletions at one point during the contest. The Browns and Mayfield could mutually decide that it's in his best interest to rest for the regular-season finale, which would allow Case Keenum to nab his second start of the campaign.
JANUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Chase McLaughlin - Converts two extra points McLaughlin successfully converted two extra-point kicks and did not have a field-goal attempt in Monday's 26-14 loss to the Steelers.
Impact McLaughlin returned to action after missing a week while on the reserve/COVID-19 list. While he managed to avoid a missed kick for the first time in five games, McLaughlin is on thin ice entering the offseason. There have been too many missed kicks for a team whose offense has averaged just 16.9 points per game since Week 5.
JANUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Demetric Felton - Invisible in Week 17 Felton played one snap on offense and 10 on special teams in Monday's 26-14 loss to Pittsburgh.
Impact Felton was barely seen Monday; after being the team's primary kick returner the last two weeks, he was replaced in that role by D'Ernest Johnson. The rookie's had an up-and-down season, but Felton could get more opportunities Week 18 against the Bengals. The Browns' playoff hopes were dashed Week 17 -- before the team took the field Monday -- and have nothing to gain next week. Additionally, head coach Kevin Stefanski told Zac Jackson of The Athletic that Nick Chubb got banged up Monday, though he stayed in the game. To preserve Chubb, Stefanski could roll with a duo of Felton and Johnson in Cleveland's final game of the season.
JANUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Anthony Schwartz - Remains fourth wideout Schwartz did not catch either of two targets in Monday's 26-14 loss to the Steelers.
Impact Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski suggested a greater role for Schwartz over the final two games, but the rookie wideout was fourth among the position group with 24 snaps. That was 17 fewer than Rashard Higgins, who was also targeted five times. Now that the Browns are eliminated from the postseason, Schwartz could gain more playing time at Higgins' expense Week 18 against the Bengals. Higgins is due to become an unrestricted free agent in 2022 while Schwartz is locked up through 2024.
JANUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Rashard Higgins - Remains involved Higgins caught one of five targets for eight yards in Monday's 26-14 loss to Pittsburgh.
Impact Higgins' late-season revival continued as the wide receiver has been targeted at least five times in the last three games. The poor catch rate Monday was more about beleaguered quarterback Baker Mayfield, who was inaccurate and hounded by the Steelers' defense, which had nine sacks and hit the QB another 11 times. It's unclear how the Browns will operate in their final game of the regular season next week against Cincinnati. There could be value in giving rookie Anthony Schwartz a greater role at the expense of Higgins, who becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2022.
JANUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Skip Bayless dares Browns to cut Baker Mayfield loose Mayfield struggled in the Browns' loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football.
JANUARY 4, 2022 • CLEVELAND.COM
D'Ernest Johnson - More snaps than Chubb Johnson carried five times for 13 yards and caught one of three targets for one yard in Monday's 26-14 loss to the Steelers. He also returned five kickoffs for 113 yards.
Impact Johnson was on the field for 39 snaps, nine more than starter Nick Chubb, who was apparently banged up earlier in the contest according to head coach Kevin Stefanski, per a report from Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Chubb managed to stay in the game, but Stefanski shied away from the running attack, and quarterback Baker Mayfield paid for it in the form of nine sacks and 11 quarterback hits. If Chubb is unavailable next week or the Browns choose to rest him, Johnson will be in line for a larger load Week 18 against the Bengals.
JANUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Baker Mayfield says he'll undergo shoulder surgery; QB undecided on whether he'll play in Week 18 Baker Mayfield has battled injury all season, and the Browns QB finally admitted surgery is coming. Following Monday night's 26-14 loss to t...
JANUARY 4, 2022 • NFL.COM
Austin Hooper - Targeted five times in loss Hooper caught two of five targets for 28 yards in Monday's 26-14 loss to Pittsburgh.
Impact While it was position mates David Njoku's and Harrison Bryant's night to shine -- each scored a touchdown Monday -- Hooper remains heavily involved in the passing attack. He's been targeted at least five times in eight games this season, including five of the last six contests. His 61 targets are second on the team behind No.1 wideout Jarvis Landry.
JANUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Harrison Bryant - Scores in third straight game Bryant caught his lone target for a one-yard touchdown reception in Monday's 26-14 loss to Pittsburgh.
Impact Bryant's managed to salvage his second NFL season with touchdowns in three consecutive contests. He and fellow tight end David Njoku accounted for both of Cleveland's touchdowns, giving the position group a team-high 10 touchdown catches in 2021. Cleveland involves its tight ends -- the group has 28 red zone looks, one fewer than wideouts and running backs combined -- so there's value to be had here. The issue becomes choosing the right one on gameday.
JANUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Baker Mayfield takes beating, criticizes game plan vs. Steelers star T.J. Watt QB Baker Mayfield made it clear he's not ripping rookie tackle James Hudson III. Mayfield did, however, criticize the Browns' approach to T....
JANUARY 4, 2022 • USATODAY.COM
In 'Manning Cast,' Peyton, Eli detail problems with Browns offense Famous quarterback brothers Peyton and Eli Manning had some praise for the Browns during their Manning Cast of Monday Night Football, but th...
JANUARY 4, 2022 • BROWNSZONE.COM
Browns Daily Newswire 1/4: Baker Mayfield, Disappointment, and Shoe Chucking This game had everything that Browns fans have come to expect from their team over the last 20+ years.
JANUARY 4, 2022 • 247SPORTS.COM
Browns takeaways: Baker Mayfield takes beating, laments plan vs. Steelers star T.J. Watt QB Baker Mayfield made it clear he's not ripping rookie tackle James Hudson III. Mayfield did, however, criticize the Browns' approach to T....
JANUARY 4, 2022 • BEACONJOURNAL.COM
First the Mannings shake their heads, then Baker Mayfield disappears from the conversation The Browns didn't want to imagine where they would be without Baker Mayfield. Unwisely addressing their fears, they have gone nowhere with h...
JANUARY 4, 2022 • BEACONJOURNAL.COM
Baker Mayfield criticizes the Browns for allowing T.J. Watt to dominate rookie James Hudson III without help, and is frustrated overall Mayfield criticized the Browns for letting T.J. Watt blow past rookie James Hudson.
JANUARY 4, 2022 • CLEVELAND.COM
