CLEVELAND — From former college teammates and coaches facing each other to Cleveland Browns coach Freddie Kitchens and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks’ returns to the desert, there are no shortage of storylines heading into today’s game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
But when the teams take the field, there will be no time for reminiscing, not with the Browns in need of a victory to remain in the postseason chase in the AFC over the final three weeks of the regular season.
“This is the NFL, so anybody can win any game,” Kitchens said. “I do not understand where wins become not good wins. Any win is a good win. In saying that, they have had a lot of games that their record could be totally different with a couple tipped balls here and there. Everybody around the league is that way.
“Sometimes, you win some games out of fortune. Sometimes, you lose some games out of misfortune. We have to line up and play, and we should not overlook anybody. We should line up and play our best individually, collectively, good complementary football, execute and do the best we can on Sunday.”
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Here are three things to watch for in today’s game between the Browns and Cardinals.
Murray’s movements
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft after a Heisman Trophy-winning season at the University of Oklahoma, quarterback Kyler Murray is having a solid first professional year.
Through 13 games, Murray has registered franchise rookie records for passing yards (3,060) touchdown passes (16), completions (293), attempts (457) and games with multiple touchdown throws (seven).
Also, Murray has rushed for 448 yards and four touchdowns, which are rookie quarterback records in Arizona. Murray and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson are the only quarterbacks this year to lead their teams in rushing.
“Really just trying to contain this guy as a whole because he is a dual-threat throwing the ball as well as having the ability to escape and make plays with his feet,” Wilks said. “We have to do a great job of really trying to keep him in the pocket and try to contain him. Not a lot of teams have been able to do that this year. It is going to be a difficult task on our part.”
Larry Legend
The No. 3 overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft after a standout career at the University of Pittsburgh, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald has worked himself into the history books, both in Cardinals franchise and NFL annals, respectively.
Over 247 career games, Fitzgerald has turned his 1,367 receptions into 16,948 yards, a 12.4 yards-per-catch average, 119 touchdowns, 231 20-yard gains, 34 40-yard plays and 873 first downs against just 13 fumbles lost.
Fitzgerald has gone over the 1,000-yard mark nine times (2005, 2007-2011, 2015-2017) with five double-digit touchdown seasons (2005, 2007-2009, 2013).
Fitzgerald is second only to Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice for the most receptions and receiving yards, leads all players with 1,367 catches with just one team, and is sixth on the league’s all-time touchdown receptions list.
Already, Fitzgerald holds franchise records for receptions, receiving yards, touchdown catches and games played, and has reached the 100-yard mark in 49 games, which is good for ninth all-time.
“Larry loves the game first and foremost,” Kitchens said. “He is probably one of the hardest workers I know. He works, he practices and he works. He does a great job of staying in the moment and trying to get better each day. He is a prime example of just continuing to work.
“Everybody thought he was declining six years into his career, and he just hit a new level.”
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Baker’s competitive fire
Baker Mayfield’s tenure at Texas Tech University was a short one, as he spent just one season under the guidance of then-coach Kliff Kingsbury before transferring to Oklahoma and becoming a Heisman Trophy winner.
Now more than six years removed from his decision to transfer, Mayfield is preparing to face the Cardinals, where Kingsbury serves as the head coach. However, the Browns’ quarterback harbors no ill feelings toward his former coach.
“Guys, it’s back in 2013,” Mayfield said after Wednesday’s practice at team headquarters in Berea. “It’s six years ago. I mean, we’re not going to re-dig issues back then. I think it worked out for them. They got Pat Mahomes, and I think he’s doing fine now.”
In 27 games since the Browns selected Mayfield with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the franchise quarterback has completed 565 of his 917 attempts (61.6 percent) for 6,834 yards and 42 touchdowns against 30 interceptions.
Also, Mayfield has rushed for 228 yards and three touchdowns on 59 career carries.
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