CLEVELAND — Quarterback Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns did not start off the 2019 regular season the way they wanted to against the Tennessee Titans in front of the home fans at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland Sunday.
Plagued by 18 penalties for 182 lost yards, three interceptions and five sacks allowed, the Browns suffered a 43-13 loss to the Titans, extending their streak of season-opening setbacks to 15 consecutive years, which started back in 2005.
“Anytime you get something going, you shoot yourself in the foot,” Mayfield said following the loss. “That was our big problem, not being able to build positive plays. Like I preached last week, we are trying to eliminate the negative ones.
“That is exactly opposite of what we did today, and that falls back on me. We are going to look at the tape and like (Coach) Freddie (Kitchens) said, evaluate the problem. I think we know it is within ourselves. They are a great football team. Whenever you hurt yourself, you are not going to win.”
Quotable Kitchens: Cleveland Browns coach ‘did not see coming’ 18 penalties against Tennessee Titans
Here is a breakdown of Mayfield’s first season-opening start with the Browns.
What Mayfield did?
Mayfield completed 25 of his 38 attempts for 285 yards and one touchdown, but threw interceptions on three drives in a four-possession stretch during the second half, the last of which was returned by Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler 38 yards for a touchdown with 3:02 to play in the fourth quarter.
Mayfield was sacked five times for 41 lost yards.
“I think everybody just needs to be more disciplined,” Mayfield said. “I think everybody knows what the problem is. We will see it. We will see exactly if it is bad technique or what. Dumb penalties hurting ourselves. Then, obviously, turnovers on my part. Just dumb stuff.”
Analysis
The Browns were lucky Mayfield made it through the game, as he had quite the scare in the first half.
After being unable to move the ball for much of the first half, committing nine penalties for nearly 100 lost yards and having their left tackle ejected for kicking a Titans defender in the head following a two-yard run from Nick Chubb, the Browns surrendered a sack of Mayfield in the end zone with 1:47 remaining in the second quarter.
While the safety gave the Titans a 12-6 lead, it nearly ruined plans for the season.
Mayfield appeared to suffer a right-arm injury on his follow through on Cameron Wake’s sack. Although Mayfield held onto the ball, he appeared to reach for his throwing shoulder, but managed to stay in the game.
“Yeah, I will be alright,” Mayfield said.
What’s next?
The primetime spotlight on Monday Night Football against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The Browns will see a familiar face when they take on the Jets, and that is former defensive coordinator/interim head coach Gregg Williams. Currently, Williams is the Jets’ defensive coordinator, but before focusing on that, there is the matter of correcting their mistakes.
What are they saying?
Although not happy with the loss to the Titans, the Browns are going to take what they can learn from it and apply it to this coming week’s game against the Jets.
“Everybody is going to throw this in the trash,” Mayfield said.
“We just need to rally together. Don’t flinch. It is Game 1 of a long season. To get to where we want to go, you are going to have bumps in the road. How to react to it, we are going to come together. We are going to push forward. We are not going to let it define us and let’s see what type of men we have in this locker room. I am pretty sure I have a good idea about it.”