By Lawrence Lang
The Cleveland Browns bounced back from their week one loss as they defeated the Houston Texans 31-21 in the Browns home opener.
Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield let the team victory, going 19/21 213 passing yards, one touchdown, one interception, and one rushing touchdown. The Browns running game was also on point. Nick Chubb had 11 carries, and 95 rushing yards, a touchdown, and even Fullback Andy Janovich joined the party by getting his first rushing touchdown of the season. This was a minor step up from week one as the defense got one sack, interception, forced two fumbles, and recovered one.
The big question coming out of Sunday’s victory was Mayfield’s shoulder condition after he attempted to make a tackle granted. After the missed tackle, the injury didn’t stop Mayfield from playing the rest of the game but still raised the question: was the injury severe or not? As of Wednesday, Mayfield did participate in full practice. The injury was his non-throwing arm, but Mayfield could still be a game-time decision depending on what transpires over the next 24 hours. If Mayfield is unable to play, Case Keenum will get the start.
Another big question for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears is Odell Beckem Jr ready to go? All signs lead to yes Beckem Jr being ready to make his season debut after suffering a season-ending ACL injury in week 7 of the 2020 season. Before the injury accord, Becke, Jr was having a decent 2020 season with a 50% target completion 23 of 43 319 total yards and three touchdowns and one rushing Touchdown. With Beckem Jr back, it would help the Browns out in the wide receiver end with Jarvis Landry out with an MCL sprain.
Bears come into week three 1-1 and are coming off a close win in week two against the Cincinnati Bengals. With Andy Dalton out with a knee injury, Rookie Justin Fields will get his first career start, and the 11th overall pick in the 2021 draft will look to impress the Bears front office and Head coach Matt Naggy. If Fields can impress in their first career start, it could be a sign of change for the Bears as that their quarterback is ready to take charge in his first year in the league and not a later date in time.
Surprisingly enough, this is an excellent Quarterback matchup in Fields and Mayfield as they are the new generation of quarterbacks taking over in the league. Mayfield has been in the league for a few years now, but for Fields, this is a great first start matchup for him, and if he impresses and becomes the starter for a while, we can see Fields vs. Aaron Rodgers in Week 6. The Matchup would probably be his biggest test as a starter, going against the three-time MVP.
Kickoff for the Bears and Browns is slated for 1 PM with the weather being in the low 70’s and partly cloudy, which should make for a great Sunday fall game.
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