Steelers: Three Keys to Winning In Week 11
By Chris Ross
Take Advantage of Baker Mayfield’s Carelessness
Baker Mayfield took the NFL by storm last year during his rookie season, setting the rookie passing touchdown record and looking like Cleveland’s long-awaited franchise quarterback. Unfortunately for him, the wheels have come off this season and it’s been ugly for the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Even with a supporting cast that includes Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry and a talented rushing attack, Mayfield has struggled mightily as defenses have figured him out. The box score is ugly enough for him with 12 interceptions to just nine touchdown throws, but the eye-test has been just as bad, showing a quarterback crumbling under massive expectations (and horrible coaching).
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For the Steelers, this is yet another opportunity for their defense to show just how dominant they can be. T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree should have a field day against the Browns’ inconsistent offensive line. Watt, in particular, has been on a tear lately, racking up five-and-a-half sacks over the last three games. If not for Fitzpatrick’s star turn in the secondary, Watt would almost certainly be garnering more buzz as one of the NFL’s most promising young defenders. Let’s not forget about that secondary either, Mayfield has been a turnover machine this season and Pittsburgh’s secondary seems likely to make him pay for his recklessness with the ball.
The Browns have been a dumpster-fire for large parts of this season, and their offense shoulders much of the blame. Mayfield may still be the quarterback of the future for Cleveland, but against the Steelers defense, he may be in for another ugly performance.