Despite their 4-2 record, Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield says that the blowout loss to the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers has him feeling like their record is much different.
“The feeling throughout [our] building after that loss — 4-2 has never felt so much like 0-6 before,” Mayfield said, according to ESPN’s Jake Trotter.
“We’re eager to get back to work,” Mayfield said. “Fix the problems we know are within our control.”
Mayfield is at the center of criticism after he posted a QBR score of 5.5, the third-worst QBR performance of any quarterback this season, and again sparking doubts that he is the Browns long-term answer as franchise quarterback.
Mayfield was sacked four times and threw two interceptions, one a pick-6 on the Browns third snap of the game.
“I’ve got to have a short memory playing quarterback,” Mayfield said. “It’s tough when you’re in a momentum swing like that to get back on track. But this position, you have to be able to do that.”
Mayfield added that the key is to avoid making those early mistakes, and being able to bounce back from struggles during the game.
“Not let them up front pin their ears back and bring a bunch of different crazy blitzes,” Mayfield said. “Get the ball out of [my] hands, not give them a taste for hitting the quarterback, getting those sacks. … Playing the field position early on is more than OK.”
And as far as those questioning his abilities at quarterback?
“I don’t give a damn what they say,” Mayfield responded. “We know we can be better. I know I can be better. The outside noise doesn’t matter. They get paid to talk and we get paid to do our work. So that’s how it’s going to be handled.”
