CLEVELAND -- After a tough road loss to the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston last Sunday, the Cleveland Browns look to get back into the win column when they host the Carolina Panthers at FirstEnergy Stadium today.
The Browns (4-7-1) take on a Panthers (6-6) squad that is in need of a victory to keep pace for a wildcard berth in the NFC Playoffs, as they are a half-game behind the Minnesota Vikings for the final spot in the postseason.
Here are three things to watch for during today’s game between the Browns and Panthers:
GARRETT’S PLAYMAKING ABILITIES
Myles Garrett is no stranger to making plays in opposing backfields, and Browns interim coach/defensive coordinator Gregg Williams believes the second-year pass rusher is close to building on his already impressive resume.
According to Williams, Garrett is not far away from forcing more turnovers and making more game-changing plays for the Browns’ defense.
Garrett has registered 32 total tackles, including 26 solo stops, and of those 32 plays, 11.5 have been sacks on opposing quarterbacks for 73.5 lost yards.
Currently, with 18.5 sacks, Garrett has registered the most sacks by a Brown in the first 23 games of his career and is tied for the most by a defender in the first two seasons of his career. Garrett is tied for fourth in the NFL this season with the 11.5 sacks and is among the NFL’s leaders in forced fumbles.
“I think he is very close,” Williams said. “I think it is instantaneous when it could happen. Some of the great plays he has had in the pocket already have just been fractions of an inch of where he is attempting and making the attempt at the ball.”
MORE FOCUSED MAYFIELD
Browns rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield is very much looking forward to getting back on the field with his teammates after struggling through the first half of last Sunday’s 29-13 loss to the Texans. Mayfield threw three interceptions in the first half, and all of those turnovers led to Texans scores, including a pick-six that was returned for a touchdown by linebacker Zach Cunningham.
During the first half, Mayfield completed just five of his 13 attempts for 46 yards with the three interceptions, but he rallied at halftime and had a strong finish to the game.
Mayfield finished the day 29 of 43 for 397 yards and one touchdown, a 17-yard scoring pass to wide receiver Rashard “Hollywood” Higgins late in the fourth quarter. In the second half, Mayfield completed 24 of his 30 throws for 351 yards and the one touchdown without a turnover.
“We did not need a huge change or switch up what we were calling,” Mayfield said. “We just needed to do it better. That comes into trusting our offense, trusting the guys around me, still throwing the ball on time, getting it out, trusting them to get into the right spots. That is how we have to be.
“We are hoping to make that improvement as we go on, continue to do that and be consistent with it. I have seen myself grow in that aspect and continuing it now.”
CHESS MATCH WITH LUKE KUECHLY
The Panthers have plenty of playmakers on defense, but middle linebacker Luke Kuechly is the unquestioned leader of the group.
Kuechly is about doing what he can to make plays, but also, make sure his teammates are in the right spots well before an opposing quarterback calls for a snap.
The 27-year old Kuechly, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduate of St. Xavier High School, is on pace for his best season since 2014. Kuechly has registered 121 total tackles, including 95 solo stops, 26 assists and two sacks.
Additionally, Kuechly has registered six quarterback pressures, one fumble recovery and an interception.
“Everything that I have heard about him through the years and watching tape, it seems to be true,” Mayfield said. “Obviously, a very smart guy, physical, athletic. He is kind of a Jack of all trades there in the middle.”
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