For the first time in 635 days, the Cleveland Browns found a way to win, and Baker Mayfield showed them how.
The No1 overall pick in this year’s draft replaced injured starter Tyrod Taylor and sparked the Browns as they beat the New York Jets 21-17 on Thursday night for their first win since 24 December 2016. Both Browns touchdowns came from one-yard runs from Carlos Hyde.
And so ends Cleveland’s 19-game winless streak, the NFL’s second-longest since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. The Browns (1-1-1) trailed 14-0 in the first half before Mayfield came in for Taylor and led four scoring drives while winning an unexpected match-up against Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold. Cleveland passed on taking Darnold in the draft and instead chose Mayfield, the Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma.
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Mayfield finished 17 of 23 for 201 yards in a little more than a half after coming in after Taylor suffered a concussion. Darnold had one last chance, but was intercepted by Terrence Mitchell with 11 seconds left. When the final seconds ticked off the clock, Cleveland fans, who had endured a 0-16 season and waited nearly two years to see their Browns win, erupted in celebration.
Browns coach Hue Jackson got just his second win in 35 games since being hired by owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam, and this win will ease some of the pressure he’s been feeling to get Cleveland turned around. Jackson could also be faced with a difficult choice either stick with Mayfield or go back to Taylor when he’s healthy. The decision may not be as tough now.