Baker Mayfield threw four interceptions in a 22-24 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The quarterback knows it’s going to be tight now. For the Browns, but possibly for him, too.

Munich/Green Bay – It’s all in for the Cleveland Browns. Last quarter, 50 seconds left on the clock. 22:24. Third down at the 50-yard line. 3rd & Ten. Baker Mayfield sees Donovan Peoples-Jones – and throws the ball into the hands of Rasul Douglas.

Pass.

As the Green Bay Packers celebrate their twelfth win of the season, the Browns look on in dismay at a game of missed opportunities.

One look at the statistics is enough to find a scapegoat. For quarterback Mayfield’s last interception was the fourth of the evening, the fourth Christmas present to the Packers. After Packers playmaker Aaron Rodgers then converted each of the first three errant throws into a touchdown for his team, the last one, unquestionably the most painful, finally broke the Browns’ neck.

Baker Mayfield takes blame for defeat

Mayfield knows it. And did what a leader must do after such a performance: Take the loss on his head. No ifs, ands or buts.

“I expect myself to make those pitches,” Mayfield said, “and I didn’t. I hurt this team. “

While Mayfield also threw for 222 yards and two touchdowns, throwing four interceptions against a team like the Packers not only throws away games, but ultimately the playoffs. “I’m a quarterback in the NFL. I have to make those throws,” said Mayfield, who called the throws “uncharacteristic.”

Well, at this point, the discussions are likely to pick up steam as to whether this game is uncharacteristic of Mayfield’s situation with the Browns, even if it was the first time he had a four-game string of turnovers.

The former number one pick is still waiting to hit the big time, the final breakthrough. Cleveland traditionally divides opinion on the 26-year-old, but his seasons so far have been fine on balance. Under his leadership, the Browns have gone from being the laughing stock of the league to a team that is playing for a playoff spot.

But is that enough?

A comparison: Rodgers also made four interceptions. But in the whole season. While Mayfield gave away the win, Rodgers showed how to mercilessly punish the opponent’s mistakes.

Big ego, big expectations

The problem: Mayfield, with his big ego, has his own share of the big expectations on him, which should not be underestimated, but he serves his ambitions too rarely and not consistently enough. And, of course, the basic hope with a number-one pick is something other than being an OK quarterback anyway.

Mayfield is playing in his fourth season, and for the Browns it’s now also a question of whether they will continue to shoulder the athletic hopes on the shoulders of the feisty playmaker. Would Mayfield be worth the big money he will then earn? Is he the franchise quarterback the Browns have been desperately seeking for half an eternity, or is he not? Is a Super Bowl charge possible with him?

Among the discussions is the fact that Mayfield is playing banged up this season, and could be removed from the Covid roster in time for the Packers game after contracting a Corona infection.

And of course it’s about more than stats, quarterback qualities are also made up of factors like leadership, address and outside presence. And in the end, football is still a team sport.

Cleveland Browns: postseason in jeopardy

But before the team answers the burning Mayfield questions for itself, the focus is on the current postseason, which is in grave jeopardy at a 7-8 record.

“We have to take care of business,” Mayfield said. “The main focus is on Pittsburgh. I’m going to learn from my mistakes,” he stressed.

Otherwise, things could get tight. For the Browns, but possibly for him, too.