Oklahoma Sooners Football: Baker Mayfield makes NFL debut, leads Cleveland Browns to comeback win

In Baker Mayfield’s NFL regular season debut, the top overall pick led the Cleveland Browns to a 21-17 comeback victory over Sam Darnold and the New York Jets. This was the franchise’s first win since Week 16 of the 2016 season.

On the night, Mayfield finished with 201 passing yards while completing 17 of 23 attempts, giving him a passer rating of 100.1. All in all, I’d say that’s not bad for half (of just over a half).

Then there’s this:

I agree, Coach. Buckeyes better recognize now.

It was a battle between the first and third overall picks from the 2019 NFL Draft, although the night didn’t start out that way. The Browns hosted the Jets on Thursday night, and after trailing 14-0 in the first half, Cleveland starting QB Tyrod Taylor was sidelined for the remainder of the game with what was later diagnosed as a concussion. While under unfortunate circumstances, it was finally time for the Baker Mayfield Show.

Peep the moment the Browns tied the game up late in the third by way of what some are already calling the Mayfield Special. Shoutout to Philly, but also to Lincoln Riley...

Boy’s a straight-up gamer.

Now before Taylor was ruled out for the game late in the second quarter, Cleveland’s offense struggled to get much of anything going. The energy in the stadium was nearly nonexistent and growing increasingly restless. That changed the very moment Mayfield stepped on the field.

In his one and only drive of the first half, Mayfield led the Browns down the field on 3-4 passing for 47 yards and a field goal to go into the half down 14-3.

In the third quarter, Baker was vintage Mayfield. He made something out of nothing, and he made it look easy. The dude just has a special knack for the razzle dazzle.

Mayfield was the epitome of a field general in the second half, methodically leading the Browns down the field. Then he zipped this one 29 yards to the only place he could have put it, setting up an eventual Carlos Hyde rushing touchdown.

En route to the go-ahead touchdown run by Hyde, Mayfield got it done again and again when the Browns absolutely needed it. Not only does he usually find the right man to throw to, he throws his receivers open. He might be a rookie in his first real, bonafide NFL action, but his poise and decision making is stuff we normally only see from seasoned vets.

Baker Mayfield’s heroics improve Cleveland’s record to 1-1-1 on the season. With the prognosis of Tyrod Taylor’s injury status undetermined, and the way No. 6 put on a show, all signs are pointing towards the former Heisman Trophy winner remaining in the lineup and getting his first start next week against the Oakland Raiders. Quite frankly, that’s how it ought to be, and if you don’t know, now you know.

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