AFC North power rankings: Steelers slip to the bottom, Bengals rise
By Tommy Jaggi
3. Cleveland Browns (6-6)
The Cleveland Browns continue to get overhyped year after year. On paper, they have a very talented roster without a lot of weaknesses, but somehow they continue to underachieve. Injuries have contributed to this, but quarterback Baker Mayfield has also been part of the issue.
On Sunday Night Football against the Ravens in Week 12, Mayfield completed just 18 of 37 pass attempts for just 247 yards and 1 touchdown. His 79.5 passer rating and 45.0 QBR were only good enough to score 10 points in this contest.
While the poor rushing attack in this one didn’t help, this is far from the first time Baker has played this way. Just last week against the Lions, Mayfield completed 15 of 29 passes for 176 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions.
The Browns have more than just one issue with their football team right now, but so far, Mayfield isn’t looking like a player who should earn a massive new contract extension that could pay him over $30 million per season. This team still has talent, but they might be the biggest underachievers in the NFL this year.