Facing the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football, the Browns quarterback came out firing, completing nine of his 10 pass attempts in the first quarter. But while Cleveland fell behind 3-0, it didn’t take long for Mayfield to put his team back on top, capping a 13-play, 75-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Austin Hooper.
Mayfield’s strong start came six days after the No. 1 pick of the 2018 NFL Draft completed 28 of his 47 pass attempts for 343 yards and two touchdowns, adding another touchdown on the ground, in the Browns’ thrilling loss to the Ravens on Monday night. His first touchdown pass on Sunday marked his 24th on the season, as the Oklahoma product has already eclipsed his touchdown total (22) from a season ago.
Laying claim to a 9-4 record, a Browns win on Sunday would go a long toward the team breaking its 17-season postseason drought. A loss, meanwhile, could provide costly, as fellow AFC playoff contenders including the Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins each won on Sunday.