The Cleveland Browns could play the role of spoiler for the Baltimore Ravens’ playoff chances when the two AFC North Division teams meet at M&T Bank Stadium Sunday, but that is the furthest thing from the minds of the players and coaches.
Instead, the Browns are focused on making good on the chance at their first winning season since 2007 should they secure their first victory in Baltimore since 2015.
“It is not just about them,” rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield said Wednesday. “It is about us winning and going out on a high note, even though the playoffs are out of reach. It is about us. That is what it has always been about, so that is the motivation.”
And Mayfield was far from the only player to share those sentiments with the media.
“Honestly, it is trying to go out there and finish at 8-7-1 more than anything,” offensive lineman Joel Bitonio said. “Whatever kind of happens after that, happens. We are really focused on ourselves, and (Coach) Gregg (Williams) has done a really good job of being 1-0 each week and treating each game as a playoff game, even though we are not in the playoffs.
“Just trying to be the best version of ourselves because we think that if we can be the best version of ourselves, that is enough for us to get a win this weekend, and then, kind of whatever happens after that, you will sit down and read the cards afterwards.”
Time and again, the 2018 Browns have proven that the words “same old” no longer apply, and the players added another broken streak to the list of reasons why this team is different, as on December 15, they snapped an 11-game skid against the Denver Broncos that dated back to December 8, 1991.
In addition to the 17-16 road win over the Broncos, the 2018 Browns have broken a three-year losing streak within the AFC North Division, a 17-game slide, a 19-game winless skid and an NFL-record 25 consecutive road setbacks.
With Mayfield at quarterback, the Browns posted a 5-2 record at FirstEnergy Stadium this year. Overall, the Browns went 5-2-1 at home in 2018, which gave the organization its first .500 mark at FirstEnergy Stadium since 2014 and first above .500 since a 7-1 showing in 2007.
In order to keep those good times rolling on the road Sunday afternoon, the Browns know they have to play a full 60-minute game.
“This is the first playoff-atmosphere game that our guys have seen,” Mayfield said. “Denver was great, a prime-time game, but this is a big one. They are playing for a playoff spot, and we are playing to prove who we are. As I said last week, we have to win the last few games. Right now, we are focused on the Ravens. It will be a great atmosphere.”
After been swept by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals and Ravens in both 2016 and 2017, which added up to an 18-game winless streak within the AFC North Division, the Browns have the opportunity to sweep both the Bengals and Ravens over the final two weeks of the year.
For the first time since 2002, the Browns swept The Battle of Ohio against the Bengals, thanks to a 26-18 victory in the 2018 home finale at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland last Sunday.
“The true motivation is taking care of business, making sure everybody knows exactly the standard around here,” Mayfield said. “Keep talking about setting a standard and winning is that standard, so that is the goal this Sunday.”