Three players Panthers should key on against Browns

Baker Mayfield

Say what you want about him, but Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield is one of the most polarizing figures in the National Football League today. He has it all: the swagger, the arm, the ability to be a leader. Although it may have been a bumpy ride in some spots that this season, Mayfield has shown that he is the Browns quarterback of the future.

Last week would certainly go under the category of “bumpy.” Mayfield went 29-of-43, throwing for 330 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. He should certainly fare better against a defense that ranks number 12 in the National Football League with 7.7 yards allowed per pass. That has been one of the Panthers weaknesses as of late. They have not seemed to have been able to stop passing games. They rank number 11 in the National Football League with 257 yards allowed per game.

With the way the Panthers defense has been struggling as of late, they need to be able to key on Baker Mayfield. He is a multi-tool quarterback. He can beat you in many ways with his ability to run outside the pocket, throw on the run, and pass the football in tight coverage. One of the things that they need to be able to do is get pressure on him. Out of the 126 first downs he has converted, only 27 have come under pressure in the pocket. His passer rating is a 75.3 mark which is by far one of his worst ratings statistically. The Panthers need to get to him and get to him quickly, or else it could be a long afternoon for the entire defense.